[Healing Article] Shining Child

sunrise

02:00 AM

It was dark tonight, as always.

The night sky, where stars of various colors should have been shining, was just pitch black darkness.

I walked through the forest.

Because the animals of the forest were my only friends.

Then, somewhere in the dark forest, a light twinkled.

지민

hi?

Suddenly, a boy stood in front of me, no matter where he came from.

지민

Are you... happy now?

Surrounded by darkness as dark as the night sky, the boy spoke as if he had read my heart, which had never felt happiness, and I told him my truth.

"No, not at all. If someone were to look into my mind, they wouldn't see anything. It would be nothing but the pitch-black night sky."

지민

Yeah? What do you think of the night sky?

지민

All pitch-black darkness? A dawn that will one day dawn?

What the heck is this nonsense?

"What are you talking about? My sky can't get any brighter. It's been a while since I last saw sunlight."

The boy spoke to me in a more affectionate voice, responding to my voice, which seemed to be empty of emotion and resignation.

지민

Hmm... Don't you want to shine? Don't you want to see the sunlight you saw long ago again?

I tilted my head in response to the boy's question.

``Well, I don't see why it has to be that way.``

``I've already adapted and become accustomed to this dark forest, this dark mountain path, this dark life.``

"I just want to be happy. I don't need to see sunlight."

Actually, that wasn't the case.

I wanted to smile like other people who walk around smiling brightly.

And then, as I thought about it, the last remaining light in my heart vanished. It seemed as if laughter and happiness had vanished along with it.

지민

Haha. Isn't that right? Light is happiness, laughter.

지민

If you really want to be happy, you have to smile.

지민

And if you want to laugh, you have to light the sun in your heart.

I read everything as I thought about what this boy's identity was.

지민

You, if you want to be happy, smile. And light the light of hope in the sun of your heart.

``How do I... do this?``

지민

you.

The boy who had been asking me questions and giving me advice while spouting out incomprehensible words pointed to my heart.

지민

You can do it yourself.

``What does that mean?``

지민

I have to leave here soon. When I leave, a light will automatically turn on in your heart.

지민

But it's up to you whether you keep that light on or not.

``I want to keep... maintaining it.``

I began to think that perhaps the boy had the power to seduce people.

지민

Okay, I thought about it. Then I'll tell you how.

지민

When you feel a light turn on in your heart, force yourself to laugh out loud.

I happened to hear a way to turn on the light in my heart and become happy.

지민

Then look in the mirror and say to yourself:

지민

"You've worked hard. I hope only good things happen to you from now on."

The boy finished speaking as if he was talking to me, and the bright light coming from his body gradually faded.

Oh, I just remembered that I didn't even ask the boy his name.

``Hey... what's your name?``

Before I could finish speaking, the boy's body seemed to grow darker and darker, and finally, with a flash of bright light, he disappeared.

To somewhere deep down, just like when I came.

05:00 AM

...

I don't know if I should say it was like a dream.

``That child's words still linger in my head...``

"Who are you! Who are you to help me like this!"

Thinking that shouting with all my might would not make a difference, I got up from where I was lying and looked around.

``Huh?``

It must have been midnight just a moment ago, but the sun was rising.

``Yes, I came up to this forest to play with the animals.``

``It's not... a dream.``

I thought back to what the child had said.

``I told you to smile even if it was forced.``

Then a sparrow came next to me and started singing, and other animals gathered around, wondering where they had been.

``Phew.``

I burst out laughing without realizing it.

Then the sun rose even higher, and I was able to feel the joy of smiling for the first time in a long time and the happiness I had longed for.

"Ah, so this is it. True happiness."

Having discovered happiness anew, I happily ran around the forest with all the animals, laughing.

Thinking of that child whose name I no longer know.

"I hope we meet again soon. I have something to tell you."

``Thank you for making me, who was trapped in the darkness and feeling so dark, so bright and cheerful.``

``Thank you.``

That morning was unusually bright.