Between Dreams and Realities

Preston, a young and simple farmer, worked on his small farm. Preston had always looked to the sky and dreamt of soaring high with the birds to reach distant horizons. However, his thoughts were interrupted by the crows attempting to eat his crops, and he would shout loudly:

"Stay away! Go far away, you crows, and fly back to your homes! Who risks descending to the ground when they can soar high in space!?"

Preston couldn't forget the dreams and adventures of his childhood. Whenever he knelt down to gather his crops, he remembered sitting on the green grass, observing the clouds in their peculiar shapes. As he prepared for work, he recalled getting ready for a new and extraordinary adventure.

"For how long? How long will I continue to reminisce about my childhood and dreams while they are being killed by maturity and adulthood? How long will I look at responsibilities while they surround me from every direction, trying to bury and end me? How long must I endure while my heart breaks over all the memories that have passed!"

Preston's soul was still childlike, unable to bear the responsibilities. The sudden change between childhood and adolescence was harder than his weak heart, which longed for the sweetest memories, could endure. Therefore, he thought that he would remain a prisoner of his childhood and a victim of his adulthood forever.

After a long period of suffering and wrestling between childhood and adulthood, our friend Preston decided to take a break from work for a few days. He intended to make the most of this time by embarking on adventures to reclaim the spirit of his childhood. Preston woke up happily after this decision and began preparing for his first adventure in years. He packed his necessities and headed to a distant forest to spend his time exploring it. Indeed, he started wandering, collecting exotic plants, and observing the most beautiful butterflies and creatures until exhaustion overcame him, and he decided to lie down on the grass to rest.

"Thomas, come on, you'll be late for school!"

"Wh... where am I? Thomas??"

Preston hurriedly searched for a mirror in this strange place until he found one, only to be surprised that the person in the mirror was not him but a nine-year-old child. Had his dream come true? Had he finally returned to his childhood?

"Thomas! Haven't you woken up yet?"

"Uh, okay, Mom, I'm coming."

It seems that this woman is Preston's mother—or rather, Thomas's mother.

"Here I am, Mom."

"Come, have your breakfast, and hurry to school!"

Preston arrived at the unfamiliar school and began wandering around, feeling immense joy. He met many students, and finally, he returned to his childhood. Preston made some friends and enjoyed playing with them, observing clouds with a childlike spirit, just like before. However, some mischievous children appeared and started bothering him. He wanted to teach them a lesson they wouldn't forget, but with a nine-year-old body, he was no longer as physically strong. Thus, he was forced to ignore them.

At the end of the school day, Preston received his homework schedule and headed home. When he arrived, he saw his angry mother and decided to leave her to her own devices. Here, the events began to intertwine.

After hours, Preston heard screams coming from downstairs. He found his parents arguing, which seemed normal, as most couples argue. However, when the voices escalated, he went downstairs to find his mother being physically abused. He stood frozen, unsure of how to react. Then, he remembered his homework schedule and decided to complete his assignments. He found himself tasked with four assignments, a short test, and a long math exam.

Preston began working on his tasks, but he couldn't continue due to the loud argument between his parents. Feeling intense pressure, fatigue, and tension, especially as he couldn't complete any of his assignments, Preston sank into the pillows on his bed, tears streaming down his cheeks. Is this childhood? Is this what he dreamed of? He cried in regret until he fell asleep, only to wake up in the forest again.

Preston was in a severe state of shock due to what he had experienced. He returned home and remained in his room for three days to overcome the trauma. It seemed that everyone had to bear responsibilities, whether young or old, and that freedom didn't mean enjoying your time but something much more significant.

After three days, Preston emerged from his room and headed to his farm. He worked actively, harvesting fruits, sowing seeds, and watering the crops. He even bought a scarecrow to keep birds away from his crops, ensuring they had a designated place to feed and drink. He built wooden houses for them and went back to work. After taking the ripe fruits, washing them, and bringing them to the market for sale, he returned to his farm to make sure he completed all his tasks.

When he finished everything, he stood on the hill, looking at the clear sky, and said, "Now, I feel free – the freedom to be the man I wanted to be."