Chase of Wisdom. Шахзода Жамшедовна Абдуллоева

y as the day I received a most unusual commission. I was tasked with chronicling the tale of a gifted young woman whose literary contributions had earned her the prestigious Nobel Prize. The peculiarity of this request, you may ask? The answer lies within the unfolding of this very tale.

      A grand international gathering of minds was set to take place in Quito, the heart of Ecuador. Coincidentally, I was planning a journey to a land of unparalleled beauty. This fortuitous alignment of events filled me with joy, and I eagerly embraced the opportunity to explore the wonders of Ecuador.

      The gathering of intellectuals was a resounding success. As the final pronouncements echoed through the halls, I retrieved my aerial steed from its velvet-lined case, and with a few necessities for my urban explorations, took to the skies above Quito. As I soared through the heavens, my gaze fell upon a shimmering object nestled deep within the emerald embrace of a forest. Descending to investigate, I discovered a tome of magnificent proportions, its cover adorned with shimmering shards of diamonds. Upon closer inspection, I read an inscription etched upon its face: "A Book Unread." A shiver of unease ran down my spine. If this book truly remained untouched by human eyes, perhaps it was not mine to behold? Could the author desire to keep these words a secret? One can never be certain. It was best to err on the side of caution, I thought, and continued my journey, leaving the enigmatic journal behind. But as I pressed onward, an extraordinary event unfolded before my very eyes: the world shattered into countless fragments of cities, each one a dazzling constellation of lights and dreams. The oceans of the world were likewise divided, with each city claiming its portion of the deep blue. It was a gesture of fairness, a sharing of the vital lifeblood of the planet. And each piece of land received a unique name, a whispered title whispered across the heavens. The very fragment upon which I stood was called as a "Planet Ecquipa". Why Ecquipa? The syllable "Ec-" was borrowed from the first part of the word "Ecuador," "-qui-" from the first part of "Quito," and "-pa" from the first part of the Pacific Ocean. Thus was born the nomenclature of these celestial fragments. For a time, these fractured lands became natural satellites of Planet Ecquipa.

      Can you guess where I gleaned this information? The diamond-studded journal revealed all. It spoke, and its voice was a song, a melody of pure beauty. In addition to the intricate details, the tome explained the very reason for this transformation of the Earth planet. It seemed I was the first soul to lay eyes upon this unusual book, for only its author had known of its existence until this very moment. Indeed, it was "A Book Unread."

      The author of this magnificent journal, a young woman, had dreamt of leaving an enduring legacy, a contribution to the betterment of humanity. She yearned for her story to reach as many hearts and minds as possible. And now, prepare to be amazed, for the speaking journal unveiled a truth so profound, so momentous: the restoration of the Earth, the return to its pristine state, rested entirely upon my shoulders. For the planet could only reclaim its former glory when I penned a chronicle of the events contained within this very journal. A task of such magnitude could not be ignored. With a solemn nod, I opened the diamond-encrusted tome, preparing to begin my work.

      The pages were smooth as silk, a caress upon my fingertips. As each page unfolded, golden letters emerged, dancing before my eyes. Upon the first page, a message awaited, a missive from the author to the soul who would follow in her footsteps, a soul destined to read these words. And that soul was me. The message read as follows:

      "Greetings, dear one! You will not believe how long I have waited for someone creative to notice my diary. I am so glad it was you! Because I am certain the diary chose you for a reason. I truly hope my expectations are not in vain. Please, write about this diary and share your creation with the world. It is incredibly important, as many people's fates might hinge on it. Once you fulfill my request, everything will return to its rightful place! But do not worry, here on Planet Ecquipa, everything will be provided for your comfort. Your beloved and cozy air-and-glass house, time for rest, your wings, bountiful nourishment – everything will be supplied by the diary itself! All you need to do is wish for something, and your desire will be instantly granted, as the diary can sense the yearnings of your soul without any words! You do not even need to utter your wish aloud. All that is required of you is to write the piece, that is it. I wish you luck and inspiration. I believe in you. Thank you so much in advance, dear chosen one!"

      This journey! I happily agreed to it. My time passed in comfort, magic, and entertainment, just as the diary promised. As soon as I finished the piece, the diary thanked me for fulfilling its request, and after that, everything returned to normal. I came back to my native land to continue spreading my creation. It was the most unforgettable and magical memory of my life!

      Now, you might be wondering why this piece needs to be shared with people? And how can the content of this work influence the fates of many people? I will reveal that to you at the end. It is then, when our girl from the diary grows up and, one day, receives the Nobel Prize. This piece needs to tell countless readers about what helped her achieve that success. And here is the very piece I wrote based on the diary entries. I hope you enjoy getting to know these records. Happy reading, friends!

      CHAPTER I

      The year was 2002, autumn's embrace upon the world. One tiny soul stood amidst billions in the celestial expanse. Every soul, without exception, pledged a solemn oath, vowing never to forget the existence of the only Allah of all worlds. For they all knew what awaited them in the final, eternal life, should they break their word. They promised to devote their lives to worshipping one and only Allah. They promised to forever be grateful for all that would transpire in their earthly sojourn.

      After these vows, each soul engaged in a discourse with the Almighty Lord of Worlds. Allah addressed the tiny soul, our focus from the outset:

      – O soul, you are granted the opportunity to choose the nature of your life's journey. Before thee lies a book containing all imaginable earthly existences. Make the choice, and I shall select for thee a fitting form and birthplace.

      – O Allah! I give thanks for this boon bestowed upon me. I desire that every year of my life shall yield at least one lesson, a boon to all mankind. I aspire to be a soul that can, in some small measure, alleviate the burdens of humanity.

      – Thy wish shall be heeded! Now, descend to Earth. The first stage of thy soul's development is complete. It is time to embark upon the second, within the womb of thy future mother.

      – O Almighty, how shall I navigate this earthly realm? How shall I know where to begin?

      – Two angels shall be by thy side, ever watchful, ever caring. They shall guide thee, protect thee, and love thee with their very souls! With them, thou shalt not stray.

      – And who are these angels, O Allah?

      – They shall be thy parents. Fear not, for all shall unfold as I decree. Only, thou must recall thy pledge during your earthly journey, and all shall be well.

      – As you command, Lord Most High. Your word is law unto us, – replied the soul, and, by the Lord's will, entered the form of a tiny fetus in the autumn of 2002.

      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,