AJourney Through Imagination

Abbu loved watching cartoons on his mobile.

- Ilika Priya

Cartoons based on imaginary stories would take him to a world full of adventures. Today, Abbu watched one such cartoon—The World of Butterflies. It was a truly thrilling show with a garden filled with delightful flowers and a child who turns into a butterfly.

He was fascinated.

How boring it is to be human! He thought, and the world of butterflies kept fluttering through his mind. “I wish I could become a butterfly too!” he whispered as sleep slowly overtook him.

He had just fallen asleep when he felt someone shaking him. He opened his eyes to see what looked like an owl, suspiciously similar to the owl lamp on his bedside table. Startled, he screamed.

But it signalled him to be quiet. Terrified, Abbu fell silent.

“Let’s go,” said the owl.

“Where?” Abbu stammered.

“Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Timer. I visit children’s dreams and take them to the world of their imaginations. Today, you wished to become a butterfly, didn’t you? Come, I’ll take you to the world of flowers. Your wish will come true today,” said Timer.

“Can I really become a butterfly?” Abbu asked excitedly.

“No, but in the world of flowers, you will be Abbu with wings. How, I won't tell you,” said Timer, who asked him to climb onto his back.

Abbu couldn't refuse and climbed on. The moment he sat, Timer transformed into a rocket and, with a shoosh sound, soared into the dark sky. Abbu dozed off for a moment. When he opened his eyes again, he saw that Timer was landing.

“This is the world of your dreams, and you are the beautiful butterfly of this garden,” Timer said.

“But butterfly?” Abbu looked at his hands—they were the same. “How did I become a butterfly?”

Just then, Timer said, “Let's fly!” and flew some distance away.

“How will I fly?” Abbu was puzzled. Suddenly, he saw that he had wings—two translucent, light pink wings! That’s when he realised—he had become a butterfly. Abbu the Butterfly!