The Golden Key

The old man was suffering. The room was dark. His life was about to end. Outside a crow cried. The walls seemed to press the air out of his lungs. Silence. So many years have passed after that precious moment where he found a treasure, a golden key. It has never left him since that day. Suddenly everything he wished for just happened within some days. He wanted to meet his true soulmate, the key granted that wish the next day. She was stunning in every way and remained at his side until she died unexpectedly a few years ago. He asked to meet his father who left him when he was three years old, the key arranged their first meeting. He wanted to be a millionaire, the key fulfilled his dream. He requested a child and the key turned him into a very proud father. He loved to be a famous singer. The key acted upon it. His audience was fond of him.

Simply said, all his wishes did come true and sooner than he had expected. The golden key was shining brightly as it was happy to serve his master in such a touching way. The old man looked back with gratitude upon his life. He realized he was among the luckiest persons in the world to have lived such an enriching life. Tears in his eyes. For happiness. Now the day had come that he would pass the golden key to his daughter, his princess. He invited her to meet him in the morning. Then he would still have some energy to find the right words to give the treasure to her. He listened carefully to the footsteps coming nearer. Yes, it was his princess. His heart jumped for joy. A last smile appeared on his face.  His throat was dry. She entered the room and looked with eyes of love at him. She always admired him for his courage to ask for the things he really desired in his life and to believe that he truly deserved all what he requested.

She sat down next to him. Her hand on his shoulders. He looked at her - as only a loving father can - and said, 'princess my time has come', 'you are ready to receive my gift'. She cried. She really loved him. To let him go, was one of the hardest things she had to learn to do. 'This is the golden key to your happiness', he stumbled, 'use it wisely, be careful because once you express your wish, it comes true. The golden key cannot judge upon the content of your wishes, it only executes automatically what you ask for'. She understood the message. She was as wise as her father. She knew that once she would involve the golden key, she had to be sure the wish was aligned with her long term happiness. Otherwise she would be confronted with sadness and despair. The old man was tired. He closed his eyes. The crow cried once again. The watch of the old man stopped suddenly. He was gone. She stared at his dead body, but she was not afraid. In her hand she held the golden key and she knew she would use it wisely, to honor her father.

The Golden Key by Liesbeth Leysen

(Photo Credit: David Niblack, Imagebase.net)