Time Capsule

The Sun was setting, and the whole familiar landscape was painted a golden hue as four child friends met at their very old playground. It was years since they last had met, and nostalgia oozed out of it. They had buried a time capsule when they were just kids, filled with dream and aspirations.
With every scoop of dirt, out came laughter and memories as if flowing freely. Lastly, they found an old rusty metal box. It had letters about their dreams in childhood. Samantha wrote being an astronaut looking at stars in amazement, Jason wanted to be one of the great musicians making music that could resonate across this earth, Melissa wanted to be a writer to have stories that make other people happy, and Leo aspired to be a chef to be able to make food around which people gather.

And when they open their letters, a revelation hits them. They got lost too far from those dreams. Samantha was stuck behind a corporate office staring at spreadsheets instead of at stars. Jason played behind local bars but never moved on to become a famous musician. Melissa abandoned the writing desk for a lousy office job and Leo went on to manage a fast-food restaurant far from the dreams of being a chef of culinary delights.

"What happened to us?" Jason sighed, strumming his guitar absent-mindedly. "We were so full of hope."

Melissa thought for a moment. "Maybe it's not too late. We could still chase those dreams."

They spoke excitedly throughout the night of ideas for how they might renew their interests. Samantha sought out local and international space programs. Jason recorded a CD and launched the site and posted the files. Melissa resolved to again begin writing. She announced her ambition to herself of completing one short story, which had long languished undone. Inspired by her sisters' initiatives, Leo started in a local culinary school.

They vowed to support each other and meet regularly to monitor their progress. The night ended with laughter and a pact to reclaim their dreams.

Time flew by, and so did they. Samantha met new friends in an astronomy club with whom she spent numerous nights watching the stars. Jason made recordings of his compositions and started performing at a couple of local events. Melissa wrote her first short story, which was spotted on one of the online sharing forums, and Leo rocked out in his culinary arts class, impressing others with newfound skills.

The friends learned that no matter how life might take them far from each other, they could always be each other's lifelines through the passion for themselves. They started rejoicing in each other's success by realizing that the dreams had changed but remained reachable.

Once, they met again on a starry night. This evening, Samantha shared experiences as she spoke at the astronomy club. Jason then made a decision that it was time to feature new songs inspired by the expedition. Melissa read from one of her latest stories to this end, and Leo read out a dish prepared scratch.

As they made their dreams, laughter filled the night, and they understood that magical moments existed in friendship. They had gathered to see who they might have been and who they could become again.

In the end, it was just a box of forgotten dreams, but the time capsule became a catalyst for change. They learned together that dreams may change, but the spirit of pursuit never dies. They realized that the importance of support and connection makes it never too late to chase your dreams, especially with friends by your side.