Chase of Wisdom. Шахзода Жамшедовна Абдуллоева

first tooth, her first tentative steps on all fours, her charming gestures – all brought boundless joy to Charlotte's parents throughout her first year. As the Almighty Allah had promised, Manuel and Artemia truly guarded their daughter like two guardian angels. Together, they celebrated birthdays, welcomed the dawn of 2004, and turned every passing month into a grand celebration for their little girl.

      And so, on the 24th of May, 2004, Charlotte turned one year old! You might ask, "What about the lesson learned from her first year of life?" Fear not, Allah never forgets his promises. Charlotte received her first lesson as a gift on her first birthday. The lesson derived from her first year was this: parents are our guardian angels. They are ready to do absolutely everything they can for their child. Just imagine how this lesson was recorded! On the 24th of May, 2004, a special flash drive emerged from the back of Charlotte's neck, hovering in the air. This extraordinary device transformed into a small, magical world where Charlotte sat upon pink clouds with her parents, Manuel and Artemia. It was a world as envisioned by our little Charlotte Sambrano. As previously mentioned, only Charlotte and her parents could witness this, as she had confided her secret of the magical flash drive only to them.

      Beneath the clouds, a purple notebook with a white pen appeared. The notebook was blank when it opened before Manuel, Artemia, and Charlotte. The white pen then began to inscribe the following message on the first page of the purple lesson notebook:

      "Dear Charlotte! At long last, the day has arrived to record your first life lesson. It is this: Parents are our guardian angels. Remember, whatever they say, it is always from the core of their hearts and with no ulterior motives that they wish for the very best for you!"

      Thus, Charlotte carried with her this first life lesson after her first year.

      CHAPTER II

      And now, summer graced the year 2004 with its warmth. Let us delve into the life of the Sambrano family and the impressions etched upon little Charlotte's soul during this time.

      Manuel Sambrano, Charlotte's devoted father, had nurtured a clear vision since childhood of the family he wished to create, the home he yearned to build, the automobiles he desired to possess, and the manner in which he would raise his future children. He reveled in contemplating these aspirations, firmly believing in the power of thoughts to manifest into reality. Thus, he always focused on envisioning the best, placing his faith in Allah's aid in realizing these dreams, and never doubting his own capabilities.

      With this unwavering spirit, he married a remarkable woman named Artemia. Together, they embarked on the journey of building their family, sharing their dreams and aspirations for the future. Their dreams intertwined, becoming a shared tapestry that further strengthened their bond.

      One day, when Manuel was just a lad of fifteen, he witnessed a heartwarming scene at the zoo – a family consisting of a husband, wife, and their young daughter. The sight filled him with a profound sense of longing, and he made a silent vow that he, too, would one day take his wife and daughter to the zoo, where they would stroll together, basking in joy and laughter.

      Exactly ten years later, as fate would have it, his wish came to fruition. Residing in the bustling city called Loyalty, nestled within the realm of the country called Lafem, Manuel, Artemia, and little Charlotte Sambrano became frequent visitors to the zoo. Manuel and Artemia were profoundly grateful for their blissful existence.

      What, you may ask, is the crux of this tale? It underscores the profound truth that our dreams, our daily musings, our plans for the future, all have a way of materializing, in due time. You cannot fathom the significance of harboring righteous intentions within the depths of your soul!

      To illustrate this vital principle, allow me to share two contrasting tales of individuals with divergent intentions.

      The Sambrano family shared their apartment building in Loyalty with two intriguing neighbors: Gloria Lopez, an octogenarian, and Zoe Rodriguez, who was sixty years old. Both women were mothers to eight children. Gloria, from her youth, had always prayed that God would grant her family happiness over being rich. Zoe, on the other hand, often lamented, "I'm tired of being an eternal housewife! When will it be my turn to be waited on, instead of me serving you all day and night?! Eight children, and yet I'm the only one who has to do everything!"

      Can you guess how these women fared in 2004, their minds perpetually occupied by these contrasting thoughts? Gloria Lopez and her children, despite facing financial hardship, led content and fulfilling lives. Zoe Rodriguez, alas, suffered a fall and became disabled. Gloria, though never wealthy, remained untouched by despair. Zoe, ironically, found herself confined, reliant on the care of others, her dream of escaping her domestic duties tragically fulfilled.

      Perhaps, one might ponder, Gloria Lopez could have included financial stability in her pleas to Allah. Why not, with all her heart, beseech a life of all-around well-being? After all, if it is within the Lord's will, He shall surely answer the prayers of those who ask. And Zoe Rodriguez, could she not have found contentment in her familial obligations, in the joy of nurturing her eight children during her able-bodied years?

      Indeed, in life, much hinges on one's intentions. Thus, on Charlotte's second birthday, as the flash drive once again materialized from the nape of her neck, the white pen inscribed the following message in the purple notebook:

      "Dearest Charlotte, two years of life have already graced you. Remember, your thoughts hold immense power over your destiny. Noble dreams pave the path to a fulfilling life, and well-laid plans for the future lead to their successful realization. With love, Your Parents".

      This lesson from her second year of life, Charlotte took to heart. You might wonder, how could a child so young grasp the weight of such wisdom? Manuel and Artemia had a clever way of conveying these profound concepts – through enchanting puppet shows staged right in their home. Each performance had two distinct acts, with dialogue, scenes, and morals delivered in a language easily understood by their precocious daughter.

      By then, Charlotte had mastered both walking and talking, making it a breeze for her to absorb these simplified yet essential life lessons. Thus, under the loving tutelage of her parents, she began her education in the grand school of life at a tender age!

      After joyous months spent nestled in the loving embrace of her parents, the year turned to 2005. On the 24th of May, Charlotte was ready to embark upon her third year, eager to unravel another layer of life's intricate tapestry. One cannot help but wonder, what inscription would grace Charlotte's flash drive this year? Let us venture onward to discover the answer!

      CHAPTER III

      The year was 2005, and summer had descended upon the land. One sunny day, a whimsical companion named Lena emerged in Charlotte's imagination. In her mind's eye, Lena was a spirit devoid of any human attributes; Charlotte could converse with her but could not behold her in any physical form. Lena would spend the day playing games with Charlotte, and when night fell, she would find solace within a large doll that Charlotte cherished. This doll was a blonde with tousled hair.

      Charlotte adored playing hide-and-seek with Lena. It was a delightful pastime until it spiraled into an excess, a transgression of sorts, that transpired in a manner I must recount with due detail.

      One glorious August day, Manuel, Artemia, and little Charlotte Sambrano embarked on a week-long vacation to the island of Etteniram, seeking respite from the humdrum of everyday life. This island teemed with tourists, offering an array of activities and diversions: cinemas nestled within grand houses overlooking palm trees; performances by talking Maine Coon cats; journeys into the realm of anime; the ability to temporarily transform into a two-dimensional being; restaurants where dishes levitated, inviting families to partake in a delightful culinary adventure; the opportunity to converse with any celebrity in the world; and much more.

      But the most captivating feature of the island was a unique ritual observed on the penultimate day of one's stay: each visitor received feedback on their conduct throughout their sojourn. This feedback was delivered by their very own personal angel-mentor. Etteniram was an extraordinary place where individuals had the chance to engage in face-to-face encounters with their celestial guides! This meeting took place in a special chamber on the island, where one had to enter in a state of complete purity for the angel to manifest.

      Six