On the 24th of May, 2003, the second stage of the soul's development reached its conclusion. Thus, the fetus was ready to be born, to begin the third stage of its journey, a stage deemed crucial to the soul's ultimate destiny. And so, on that day, a girl named Charlotte came into the world. Alas, as is the fate of all mortals, she no longer remembered her conversation with the Almighty. The Lord, in his wisdom, had affirmed that all would be well if the soul, once a human, would recollect its pledge and devote itself solely to the One True God, Allah, until the end of its days. And to become such a righteous soul, a fitting upbringing was paramount. Her parents would guide her in this endeavor.
The little girl was born in a country called Lafem. Her parents, Manuel and Artemia Sambrano, were overjoyed by the arrival of their firstborn daughter. Charlotte was born with a peculiar flash drive hanging around her neck, visible only to those she trusted. Naturally, her parents were the first to be granted this confidence from the moment of her birth. This flash drive served as a repository for the life lessons Charlotte would glean throughout her existence, lessons she would one day share with the world when the time was right.
Manuel and Artemia showered their daughter with unwavering love and care. Every giggle, every slumber, every intriguing sound she made, her first tooth, her first tentative steps on all fours, her charming gestures – all brought boundless joy to Charlotte's parents throughout her first year. As the Almighty Allah had promised, Manuel and Artemia truly guarded their daughter like two guardian angels. Together, they celebrated birthdays, welcomed the dawn of 2004, and turned every passing month into a grand celebration for their little girl.
And so, on the 24th of May, 2004, Charlotte turned one year old! You might ask, "What about the lesson learned from her first year of life?" Fear not, Allah never forgets his promises. Charlotte received her first lesson as a gift on her first birthday. The lesson derived from her first year was this: parents are our guardian angels. They are ready to do absolutely everything they can for their child. Just imagine how this lesson was recorded! On the 24th of May, 2004, a special flash drive emerged from the back of Charlotte's neck, hovering in the air. This extraordinary device transformed into a small, magical world where Charlotte sat upon pink clouds with her parents, Manuel and Artemia. It was a world as envisioned by our little Charlotte Sambrano. As previously mentioned, only Charlotte and her parents could witness this, as she had confided her secret of the magical flash drive only to them.
Beneath the clouds, a purple notebook with a white pen appeared. The notebook was blank when it opened before Manuel, Artemia, and Charlotte. The white pen then began to inscribe the following message on the first page of the purple lesson notebook:
"Dear Charlotte! At long last, the day has arrived to record your first life lesson. It is this: Parents are our guardian angels. Remember, whatever they say, it is always from the core of their hearts and with no ulterior motives that they wish for the very best for you!"
Thus, Charlotte carried with her this first life lesson after her first year.
CHAPTER II
And now, summer graced the year 2004 with its warmth. Let us delve into the life of the Sambrano family and the impressions etched upon little Charlotte's soul during this time.
Manuel Sambrano, Charlotte's devoted father, had nurtured a clear vision since childhood of the family he wished to create, the home he yearned to build, the automobiles he desired to possess, and the manner in which he would raise his future children. He reveled in contemplating these aspirations, firmly believing in the power of thoughts to manifest into reality. Thus, he always focused on envisioning the best, placing his faith in Allah's aid in realizing these dreams, and never doubting his own capabilities.
With this unwavering spirit, he married a remarkable woman named Artemia. Together, they embarked on the journey of building their family, sharing their dreams and aspirations for the future. Their dreams intertwined, becoming a shared tapestry that further strengthened their bond.
One day, when Manuel was just a lad of fifteen, he witnessed a heartwarming scene at the zoo – a family consisting of a husband, wife, and their young daughter. The sight filled him with a profound sense of longing, and he made a silent vow that he, too, would one day take his wife and daughter to the zoo, where they would stroll together, basking in joy and laughter.
Exactly ten years later, as fate would have it, his wish came to fruition. Residing in the bustling city called Loyalty, nestled within the realm of the country called Lafem, Manuel, Artemia, and little Charlotte Sambrano became frequent visitors to the zoo. Manuel and Artemia were profoundly grateful for their blissful existence.
What, you may ask, is the crux of this tale? It underscores the profound truth that our dreams, our daily musings, our plans for the future, all have a way of materializing, in due time. You cannot fathom the significance of harboring righteous intentions within the depths of your soul!
To illustrate this vital principle, allow me to share two contrasting tales of individuals with divergent intentions.
The Sambrano family shared their apartment building in Loyalty with two intriguing neighbors: Gloria Lopez, an octogenarian, and Zoe Rodriguez, who was sixty years old. Both women were mothers to eight children. Gloria, from her youth, had always prayed that God would grant her family happiness over being rich. Zoe, on the other hand, often lamented, "I'm tired of being an eternal housewife! When will it be my turn to be waited on, instead of me serving you all day and night?! Eight children, and yet I'm the only one who has to do everything!"
Can you guess how these women fared in 2004, their minds perpetually occupied by these contrasting thoughts? Gloria Lopez and her children, despite facing financial hardship, led content and fulfilling lives. Zoe Rodriguez, alas, suffered a fall and became disabled. Gloria, though never wealthy, remained untouched by despair. Zoe, ironically, found herself confined, reliant on the care of others, her dream of escaping her domestic duties tragically fulfilled.
Perhaps, one might ponder, Gloria Lopez could have included financial stability in her pleas to Allah. Why not, with all her heart, beseech a life of all-around well-being? After all, if it is within the Lord's will, He shall surely answer the prayers of those who ask. And Zoe Rodriguez, could she not have found contentment in her familial obligations, in the joy of nurturing her eight children during her able-bodied years?
Indeed, in life, much hinges on one's intentions. Thus, on Charlotte's second birthday, as the flash drive once again materialized from the nape of her neck, the white pen inscribed the following message in the purple notebook:
"Dearest Charlotte, two years of life have already graced you. Remember, your thoughts hold immense power over your destiny. Noble dreams pave the path to a fulfilling life, and well-laid plans for the future lead to their successful realization. With love, Your Parents".
This lesson from her second year of life, Charlotte took to heart. You might wonder, how could a child so young grasp the weight of such wisdom? Manuel and Artemia had a clever way of conveying these profound concepts – through enchanting puppet shows staged right in their home. Each performance had two distinct acts, with dialogue, scenes, and morals delivered in a language easily understood by their precocious daughter.
By then, Charlotte had mastered both walking and talking, making it a breeze for her to absorb these simplified yet essential life lessons. Thus, under the loving tutelage of her parents, she began her education in the grand school of life at a tender age!
