World's Secret

"I want to know the secrets of the world," Allen blurted out in front of his class, his brows furrowed in determination.

The small classroom in the village of Avondale fell silent as the students turned to look at him, their faces a mix of surprise and curiosity. Allen was just an eight-year-old boy, but there was a fire in his eyes that made them wonder what he was up to.

Their teacher, Ms. Johnson, paused for a moment, unsure how to respond. Avondale was a peaceful village, far away from any danger that could exist in this world. But Allen's question hinted at a longing for something more, something beyond their familiar surroundings.

"What secrets do you mean, Allen?" Ms. Johnson asked gently, trying to understand his unusual request.

Allen stood tall, taking a deep breath. "I want to know what's out there, beyond our village," he said, pointing towards the hills and the river that marked the edge of Avondale. "Why does the sky above us seem to stretch on forever? What's on the other side?"

The classroom erupted in whispers and murmurs as the other children shared puzzled looks. They had never really thought about what lay beyond their village before. Life in Avondale was simple, with the gifts of the nature, providing everything they need.

Ms. Johnson smiled, realizing that Allen's curiosity was something to be encouraged. She had always believed in the power of knowledge, which Allen displayed his curiosity.

"Those are interesting questions, Allen," she replied, her voice filled with warmth. "We might not know the answers right now, but it's exciting to think about what lies beyond our village. There's a big world out there waiting to be discovered."

Allen's face lit up with hope, and the other students leaned in closer, eager to hear more. Ms. Johnson continued, her voice filled with encouragement.

"Perhaps, one day, we can go on an adventure together," she said, her eyes twinkling. "We can explore the unknown, find new places, and learn about different things. Maybe we find other people. We might even uncover some of those secrets you're so curious about."

The classroom erupted into cheers and excited chatter. Allen felt a surge of happiness, knowing that his classmates shared his thirst for discovery.

After class, Allen left the school and rushed home, his face radiating with an infectious glow of excitement. The corners of his mouth stretched upward, forming a wide grin that seemed to touch the top of his ears. His heart danced with joy as he couldn't wait to share the remarkable conversation that had unfolded in his classroom that day.

Bounding through the door, Allen found his parents in the living room, engrossed in their own activities. With eager anticipation, he called out, "Mom, Dad, you won't believe what we talked about at school today!"

His voice echoed with such enthusiasm that his parents looked up, their curiosity instantly piqued. Setting aside their work, they welcomed Allen, their faces mirroring his radiant smile.

"What's gotten you so excited, Allen?" his mother asked, her eyes sparkling with interest.

Grinning from ear to ear, Allen took a deep breath before launching into his animated tale. "In class, we were discussing the world, and Ms. Johnson, my teacher, she wants to explore it too! She wants to know why the sky seems to stretch beyond the hills and the river at the edge of our village. And have you noticed those little hills surrounding Avondale? She's curious about those too!"

His parents listened attentively, their eyes filled with wonder and pride. They marveled at the depth of their child's observations, his insatiable curiosity, and the genuine passion that animated his words.

"I think that's wonderful, Allen," his father said, his voice full of admiration. "It's important to question the world around us and seek answers to the things that intrigue us. Ms. Johnson sounds like an amazing teacher who encourages her students to explore and discover."

Allen's mother nodded in agreement. "Yes, dear. It's exciting to think about the mysteries that lie beyond our village. We often get so caught up in our daily routines that we forget there's a vast world out there waiting to be explored."

A flicker of excitement danced in Allen's eyes as his parents validated his fascination. Their support meant the world to him, amplifying his determination to embark on this adventure of discovery.

"I want to explore too, Mom, Dad," Allen exclaimed, his voice brimming with determination. "I want to understand why the sky seems endless beyond our village, and why those little hills surround us. Can we join Ms. Johnson on this journey?"

His parents exchanged a glance, their smiles masking the worry they felt inside. They knew that exploring beyond the hills wasn't really possible, but they didn't want to crush their child's dreams. They wanted to be supportive.

"We're right there with you, Allen," his father said, smiling warmly. "Let's go on this adventure together. We'll support you all the way."

Allen's heart swelled with happiness and gratitude. He hugged his parents tightly, feeling their love and support.

As they sat together, the room buzzed with excitement. They made plans and looked at maps, dreaming of faraway places. They talked about ancient ruins, big cities, and hills full of life.

But deep down, Allen's parents knew that these were just pretend adventures, figments of their imaginations. The truth was that they couldn't really go beyond the hills. It was a bit sad, but they didn't let it show.

Instead, they nurtured Allen's imagination. They turned the living room into a learning space, filled with books and maps. They shared stories from famous explorers, but little did Allen know that they were narrative from someone's novel. They weren't real, the story was just also someone's imagination. Although it appeared to be a huge lie, they thought that Allen would grew out of it as he become more matured in the future.

As days turned into weeks and weeks into months, Allen's initial excitement began to wane. Despite their best intentions, his parents had not been able to start their journey beyond the hills. A sense of weariness settled upon Allen, weighing down his once-buoyant spirit.

He had imagined setting off on grand adventures, discovering new lands, and unraveling the mysteries of the world. But as each day passed without progress, a cloud of disappointment hung over him. The books and maps that once ignited his imagination now felt like cruel reminders of an unfulfilled dream.

Allen's steps became heavier as he trudged through the familiar streets of Avondale. The village that once held endless possibilities now felt stifling and confining. He longed to break free from its grasp, to explore the vastness that lay beyond the hills that hemmed them in.

His parents, too, felt the weight of their unfulfilled promises. They saw the tiredness etched on their child's face and felt a pang of guilt. They had wanted to embark on this journey together, to feed Allen's insatiable curiosity and show him the wonders of the world. But circumstances had conspired against them, and their dreams seemed to drift further out of reach.

That was once their dream when they were young, but as they grew up, Allen's parents had come to understand the harsh reality. They had hoped that Allen would eventually grasp the same understanding, and so they began the difficult task of explaining the complexities of life to their young son.

Each day, with patience and love, they gently introduced him to the concept that ambitions couldn't always be easily achieved. They spoke of the challenges that lay ahead, the obstacles that could stand in the way of their grand journey. They shared their own experiences, the dreams they had once held and the compromises they had made along the way.

As Allen listened to their words, he couldn't help but feel a sense of dissatisfaction mingled with confusion. The spark of adventure that had burned so brightly within him now flickered uncertainly. It was hard for him to grasp why something so seemingly simple, like exploring the world, could be so difficult.

His parents held his hands, their voices filled with gentle reassurance. "Allen, dreams are important, and it's good to have big ambitions," his mother explained. "But it's also important to understand that sometimes circumstances can change, and we have to adapt and find joy in the journey we're on."

His father added, "Life can throw unexpected challenges our way, and we must learn to make the best of what we have. We can still find adventure and wonder, even if it's not exactly what we had imagined."

Sighs... A young man took a deep breath, feeling the heaviness of the past weighing him down. He paused, lost in his thoughts, memories flooding his mind.

Looking around the room, he saw faded pictures and old maps, remnants of a time when dreams were big and possibilities seemed endless. It was a quiet place, away from the noise of the outside world, where he could reflect on a forgotten journey.

As he gazed at the room, his mind wandered back to his childhood. He could almost hear his own laughter and feel the excitement that once fueled his dreams. But now, he realized those were just sweet memories. Now, he could only lift the heavy weight in his heart, as he stood inside this abandoned house, which was his previous home.

"You will rest in peace, Mom, Dad."