The light showed the way as the Wanderer followed along through a world of sand and desolation. She had been following this path for years. Sometimes a kind stranger would lead her back onto the lit way if she were to wander off of it. Apart from such short encounters, she had always been alone. 

There had been that one time when she joined a group of wanderers and went along the path with them but her light branched off from theirs. So she had been left alone again.

Then at one point, she had picked up a book lying on the ground. It was filled with stories of many kinds. She enjoyed the book thoroughly but it ended quickly. She re-read it several times, enjoying the new details she noticed in each word and sentence.

After several years of travelling with only the book as her companion, she came across a child sitting in the sand. The little boy was looking at the path of light under him but was scared to follow it. So the Wanderer took the child’s hand and guided him along his pathway. Eventually, both of their paths converged into one and they walked hand in hand towards the source of the light. 

The Wanderer and the child read the book together on their travels. The boy would ask questions about the stories and the Wanderer would answer carefully. Soon, the boy was reading the book more often than she was. All seemed well until years later, the boy’s path suddenly branched off of hers. No one can deny the light, so the two embraced and cried. The Wanderer handed over the book to the boy as they parted ways. She was alone once again.

Every wanderer was fated to be alone on their individual paths. She was no different. Dragging her feet through the sand, she had arrived at her destination. Was this it? She asked herself as she made her way to the gate. Is it over? What was it all for? Will that boy remember me when he reaches his destination? Have I forgotten someone? Will the boy forget about me too? Will he pass the book to someone else? She kept questioning her journey and the meaning of it inside her head as she gently rested her hands on the white walls of the gate.

Is this the end? Have I fulfilled my purpose? What was my purpose?

The gate opened and inside there was only light. It was warm and inviting. Don’t be afraid, it seemed to be saying. 

So the Wanderer stepped in, letting the light embrace her tired body. It was over and her journey had ended.

Elsewhere, a new path emerged from the light with a little child sitting at the start of it. The child looked at the brightness with confusion but no one can deny it. So the new Wanderer lifted herself up from the sand and followed the path. To the light, to the truth.

(Header/cover image done by Suvoshree Bhattacherjee, the author)