How happy I would have been if I didn't exist

Once upon a time, in the quaint little town of Willowbrook, there lived a girl named Elara. She often wandered through the sun-dappled forest that bordered her home, a tangle of wildflowers, whispering trees, and gentle streams. In the midst of this beauty, however,

Elara felt a profound weight on her heart—a weight she couldn’t quite shake off.

Every day, she watched the townsfolk bustle about, smiling, laughing, and sharing in the joys of life. She saw children running with glee, couples dancing beneath the stars, and old friends sharing stories over cups of steaming tea. Yet, despite the joy surrounding her, Elara felt like a ghost, invisible amidst the vibrant tapestry of existence.

"How happy I would have been if I didn’t exist," she often thought to herself, wading through feelings of inadequacy and loneliness. In her mind, the world would be better off without her presence. The spiral of self-doubt twisted tighter around her heart day by day.

It was during one of these quiet moments in the forest, while collecting wildflowers to weave into her hair, that she stumbled upon something extraordinary—an ancient, gnarled tree with a hollowed trunk. Curiosity sparked within her, pulling her closer. As she leaned in, a faint, warm glow emanated from the hollow. Drawn by its ethereal allure, Elara reached inside and felt a rush of energy course through her.

In that instant, a voice spoke to her—soft and soothing, like the rustle of the leaves. “Child of the forest, do you wish to see what life would be like without you?”

Elara, taken aback, nodded slowly. She had daydreamed of such a thing, expecting relief from her burdens, but the prospect of truly experiencing it sent a shiver down her spine.

With a blink, the world around her shifted. She found herself back in Willowbrook, but everything felt eerily silent. The children's laughter was gone; there were no couples dancing under the stars, no warm conversations drifting from the homes. Gripped by confusion, Elara wandered the town, her heart sinking deeper with every empty street.

She approached the homes of her neighbors—families she had known all her life. As she peeked through the windows, a deep sadness washed over her. Without her presence, their lives had turned darker. The Miller family, once filled with joy and laughter, now sat in silence, the children’s toys gathering dust, lost to time. The baker’s shop, usually filled with the sweet aroma of pastries, now stood bare and desolate.

It dawned on Elara that her absence had created a void, a ripple effect of sadness that resonated throughout the town. She had always assumed that she was insignificant, yet, in her absence, she saw the fabric of Willowbrook unraveling. The friends who once cherished her, the moments they had shared, and the light she had unknowingly brought into their lives—they all hung in the balance.

As the realization hit her, she felt a surge of warmth inside, a flickering ember igniting her spirit. The voice returned, gentle yet firm. “You are never truly alone, Elara. You are a thread in the tapestry of those around you, and your existence brings color to their lives.”

With another blink, Elara was back in the forest, the ancient tree still glowing softly before her. Tears streamed down her face, a mix of sorrow for the pain she had perceived and joy for the truth she had discovered. She understood now that her life, with all its struggles and doubts, held value far beyond her own comprehension.

Elara stood tall, letting the sunshine envelop her. She would no longer dwell in the shadows of her own mind. Every day might not sparkle like the stars, but each moment she had was significant, woven into the lives of those she loved.

From that day forth, Elara returned to Willowbrook with renewed purpose. She greeted her neighbors with warm smiles, helped those in need, and reminded herself that her existence—flawed and intricate—could bring warmth to others' hearts. And so, in embracing her life, she found the happiness she once believed was lost forever.