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One autumn afternoon, she wandered to the nearby river and sat on a smooth rock by the bank. She lingered there for quite some time, lost in her thoughts, wrapped in the folds of her own worries. The water flowed steadily, the rocks sat stoic, and the trees swayed gently, yet she barely noticed them, her mind preoccupied with troubles that seemed as endless as the river itself.
That night, as she lay in bed, she went through her usual ritual of recapping the day—a quiet reflection to consider what she had done, what she could improve, and who she had helped. After offering her prayers for her loved ones and a few strangers she thought were significant to humanity, she closed her eyes, ready to surrender to sleep. But as she drifted, a vision of the river came to her, clear and vivid, as if she were still sitting on that rock, staring into the depths of the water. It was more than a memory; it felt like a summons, an urgent call from somewhere beyond herself.
As she lay there, she felt as though the river, the rocks, and the whispering leaves were speaking to her. Their words seemed to echo in her mind, soft but insistent: "This afternoon, you spent so much time with us, yet you did not say hello, you did not greet us or acknowledge our presence. Is this how the people of God behave?"
Hearing this, she felt a wave of embarrassment and guilt wash over her. When had she become so oblivious to her surroundings, so distant from the natural world she cherished? She was the kind of person who spoke to the trees, greeted the sun, and conversed with the birds. But today, lost in her own worries, she had neglected them all.
“I’m so sorry,” she murmured, her voice soft and sincere. “Please accept my apologies. I didn’t even greet you, though I spent such a good time by your side. You know you all mean a lot to me.”
The river’s gentle ripples responded, “It’s alright. In fact, we called you here today because we sensed your anxieties about starting something new. We thought we might offer you a bit of help.”
She looked up, surprised. “Help? What kind of help would you possibly give me?”
The river’s voice deepened with a mysterious warmth. “We’re going to send you somewhere to find your answers. But first, we have a gift for you.”
A pearl, glistening with the essence of water and light, appeared in her palm, glowing under the blazing afternoon sun with the rocks in the river bed underneath shining as if witnessing its beauty. “This pearl is special. With it, you’ll create another sun, for the current one will set before long.”
She stared at the radiant white pearl, marveling at its shimmer. “Create a sun? Do you mean that... literally?”
"Well, my friend," the river murmured, "think deeply on what you know of human history and the wisdom it carries. Then you'll understand what I mean by creating a new sun."
She pondered this, her mind unraveling the metaphor. The sun, as people see it now, is the brilliance of science, the achievements of technology, and the prosperity they bring. But these might soon fade—not vanish, perhaps in a literal sense, but might lose their ability to truly benefit humanity. She sensed an impending shift, a decline not in light, but in meaning.
She continued, The next age must be one of wisdom and spirituality. It will be an age where intangible forces become our guiding lights: the power of genuine prayer, the ability to connect with another's heart without a single word, the quiet strength of love and compassion, and the resilience of faith and hope. This age will draw upon forgiveness and kindness, an unwavering belief in the Creator, and the promise of a life beyond this one.
A sense of calm settled over her as she realized, This new sun—rooted in accountability and the pursuit of a purpose greater than this earthly existence—will be what humanity needs most. Without it, even in a world of abundance, they would remain lost.
The river interrupted her thoughts. “Alright, our friend,” it said, “now that you understand what the new sun means, it’s time for you to go somewhere.”
In the blink of an eye, she found herself seated on a cozy cushion, surrounded by a circle of people gathered around a crackling evening campfire. A group of young individuals were recounting their missions to a sage whose long white hair and beard flowed gently in the soft breeze. His face glowed with a warm radiance, each line etched with wisdom and life’s hard-earned lessons. There was a deep love for humanity in his eyes, a heart where only goodness could reside, and she found herself unable to look away.
She whispered to herself, Is it really him? Is he that mentor, that sage we all yearn to meet? How did I end up here? I’m not worthy of this.
Her attention shifted back to the young people as they shared tales of their missions and victories. They spoke of accomplishments and acts of service, each word echoing their sense of purpose. Watching them, she felt a wave of embarrassment and guilt, a deep ache of regret. Compared to these diligent souls, she felt as though she had done nothing. All that had been given to her—time, resources, opportunities, and what she has accomplished with it was nothing to be compared to theirs— it all felt squandered in the light of their achievements. She was keenly aware of their responsibility, accountability, and the weight of her own perceived inadequacies.
When it was her turn, the sage looked at her with gentle, caring eyes and asked, “I hear you’re planning to open your Nebula Cafe. How is that journey going for you?” His gaze was so warm and sincere that she found herself holding her breath, momentarily lost in his kindness.
By now, everyone was seated in a circle around the fire, cups of tea being passed around. The sage extended a cup to her, his hand steady, and asked, “Tell me, how does it taste?” She accepted it, her hands trembling slightly, and took a sip. Instantly, she was enveloped in flavors she had never known—an aroma filled with warmth, a taste infused with kindness and love. It was a tea unlike any other, made richer by the atmosphere of this gathering she had always dreamed of joining.
Here, amidst these people, she found a peace and serenity she had only imagined. Their wisdom, love, and compassion filled the air, mingling with a sense of excellence and quiet diligence. She marveled at how these qualities had all converged in one place, within one group. The radiant smiles, the camaraderie, the easy laughter—all of it spoke of trust and faith, shining brightly on their faces.
Were they heavenly beings? Were they from some realm beyond this world? she wondered. And if so, how was she worthy of their company? In this moment, she felt humbled, knowing that by all accounts, she hadn’t earned a place in such a magnificent circle. Yet, here she was, marveling at their grace, questioning how she had come to deserve even a glimpse of it.
The sage observed her carefully, noting the layers of thought unfolding within her. “The pearl given to you by the river,” he began gently, “it should become the heart of your Nebula Cafe. Infuse it with the qualities of water—humility, flexibility, and a life-giving force that knows no prejudice.”
She listened, his words sinking into her soul. She thought about the pearl, composed of water and light, elements that were simultaneously adaptable and strong. What could it mean to embody those qualities? Her mind drifted to the nature of water. Water is essential to all life; it sustains every being on Earth without bias. It nourishes both the delicate rose and the thorny briar, the fruitful tree and the poisonous plant alike. Water flows freely, impartially, offering its gifts to all who need it.
And then she thought of its purifying essence. Water cleanses whatever it touches, washing away the dirt and grime of the world. It refreshes humans, animals, trees, and even the very air. Water also possesses a quiet flexibility; it winds its way through towering mountains, slips through the smallest cracks in rocks, and traverses valleys and plains. From the depths of the ocean, it rises to the sky, transforming into rain that returns to Earth as a blessing to all living things. Water gives life, it renews, and it purifies, without seeking recognition. It simply fulfills its purpose, a silent yet powerful presence.
As she pondered this, a sense of awe overcame her. Could her cafe, too, embody these qualities? Could it be a place of healing and sustenance, where every visitor, regardless of who they were, could feel seen and cared for? She realized that this pearl, a gift from the river, was more than just a symbol; it was a call to create something meaningful.
The sage sensed her contemplation and spoke once more, his voice a gentle current carrying her thoughts forward. “This pearl, with all its qualities of water—its humility, its flexibility, its ability to give life freely and clean the soul—let it guide you as you create Nebula Cafe. Water gives itself without fanfare; it rises to the heavens, only to come down again for those in need, bringing new life to the earth below. It makes the sky beautiful with its presence as clouds yet remains humble. This is why the river gave you the pearl. When you pour your first cup of tea at your cafe, I will be there to taste it,” he added with a soft smile.
The magnitude of his words left her speechless, her heart swelling with an emotion too vast to name. She gazed around the circle, at the faces illuminated by the flickering firelight, each one serene and filled with a quiet wisdom. She looked down at her tea, cradling the cup in her hands as if holding onto a newfound hope. Drawing her knees close, she wrapped her arms around them, embracing herself as if to ground her thoughts.
The path ahead for Nebula Cafe was beginning to take shape in her mind. She envisioned a place where people from all walks of life could gather, a space where the humble and the mighty could share in the same cup, just as water nourishes both the fragile flower and the thorned vine without distinction. And in that space, she saw herself brewing the first tea, infusing it with all the love, care, and resilience that water embodied. It would be a place where, perhaps, even the greats would find solace.
In that moment, she understood that Nebula Cafe was not merely a business; it was a reflection of everything she aspired to be—giving, humble, adaptable, and eternally hopeful. She knew that with the pearl’s guidance, she could create a haven of warmth and kindness, a place where the essence of water would flow through every cup, filling hearts and renewing spirits.
