Summer was unknown to the young generation on Snowflake Island. Sharp crystals forming spikes in the white coral garden were housing the elder who looked after the children flying around in their shimmering dresses while sprinkling rose petals on a golden path carefully carved out by galactic masters.
A turquoise cube close to the magnificent marble castle was the main attraction for the scholars on the island. Mrs. Wisdom, who teaches geography classes, loves to share the story of her grandfather, who brought this spectacular gift from a group of beautiful souls living a simple life on a planet called Summer.
“Mrs. Wisdom, where are the diamond sparkles? Why did the cube stop communicating with us?”
“Alfredo, those two questions show that you’ve paid attention. Unfortunately, I can only answer the second one. When Golog was invited by the Royal family to dine at our magical castle, he brought a sphere to carry the gifts he would receive from our naive gardeners. It happened during the last summer on this island when flowers had colorful petals, and the golden path was shining brightly. The cube was tuning into the frequency of the surroundings and transforming the language of sentient beings into mesmerizing concerts. Our hearts would swallow, and a blue sapphire stream of light would connect us with stars and constellations from nearby galaxies.”
Mrs. Wisdom stopped abruptly. A small tear made its way down her left cheek.
“Mrs. Wisdom, please tell us what happened. Why can’t we hear these concerts any longer?”
*****
“We asked you numerous times to stop telling the children what happened. This is our last act of kindness.”
A majestic white bear with flickering eyes walked away grudgingly. It was its last warning, and Mrs. Wisdom knew it. She looked across the seemingly empty hallway to see whether somebody caught their conversation. The holograms of two gorgeous golden butterflies suddenly appeared in front of her.
“Catherine, your courage and unwavering devotion towards the Royal family kept this island alive despite the brutality and force used by Xeptons to hijack the cube’s frequency. You know exactly what to do. You possess the wisdom and tools. We love you, sister.”
*****
“Tomorrow, or never,” were the words Catherine kept repeating over and over again while decoding the messages sent through the frequency of the candle burning on her desk, making her spacious white room appear even bigger.
“Alfredo is something else. This tiny snowflake has serious power. The truth has to surface, finally. Enough with the sugar coating.”
Catherine looked outside the window, and there was the white bear. Their blue eyes connected briefly, and before Catherine could open the window or say anything, the bear dissolved in the empty space.
“Grandfather?”
*****
The newlywed walked through the rose garden, savoring a bouquet of various scents that enchanted their hearts. A joyous crowd, guests from different planets greeting the couple and dancing to the tunes of a turquoise cube spitting diamond sparkles from the middle of an exquisite fire.
“Mrs. Wisdom, I am so delighted you accepted the invitation to my wedding.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it in a billion years. You really are something, my little snowflake. You succeeded in recoding this beautiful island.”
“Once your snowflake, always your snowflake, Your Majesty. Golden butterflies are easy to depict in a realm where bravery and loyalty are elevated. Thank you for all the wisdom you shared with me.”
Images: AI-generated images by Daniela S. aka 
