Sam the Tugboat and Lauryn’s Every Dream Comes True
(Copyright 2009, Mark D. Jones, All Rights Reserved)
Acknowledgement
This story is dedicated to a very special little girl named Lauryn. 
Foreword
This tale is for all children at heart, everywhere in the world - no matter the age. May you never let the love you hold in your heart disappear; may you always cherish that love in order to be able to give it away to others; and may you always believe in a very special place, a Kingdom called - The Island of Beauty, Dreams and Imagination!
Table of Contents
Chapter One – A Change of Plans
Chapter Two – Exercises at the Family Picnic Grounds
Chapter Three – Time to Splash in the Water and Play in the Waves
Chapter Four – Dreams of Princesses, Carriages and Horses
Chapter Five - Adventures at Sea with Sam
Chapter Six – Swimming with a Mermaid
Chapter Seven – The Island of Beauty, Dreams and Imagination
Chapter Eight – A Castle in the Clouds
Chapter Nine – An Audience with the Prince and Princess
Chapter Ten - Awakening from a Beautiful Dream
Chapter One
A Change of Plans
It was a beautiful morning in Beach Harbor – like every day! The sun was shining, the sky was blue, the seagulls were flying high and Sam the Tugboat was getting ready to start his day. Sam loved being a tugboat, and very much enjoyed helping anyone and everyone that he could while living in Beach Harbor. In fact, Beach Harbor was the most special place in the entire world for Sam, and of course Fred was Sam’s best friend ever!
Fred had just poured himself a cup of coffee, and was starting to read his morning newspaper - to start the day off on the right foot with all the news. Just then the phone rang, and it was Lauryn’s teacher from the gymnastics class that was calling to arrange to bring her class down to the Family Picnic Grounds so they could all exercise in the fresh air outdoors. Lauryn always liked the fact that her teacher’s name was the same as hers, only spelled a little different – Lauren. Lauryn loved her gymnastics class and her gymnastics teacher. One of Lauryn’s good friends, Briley, was also in the class with her. Her class was practicing tumbling exercises, and it was always fun to roll around like a ball – forwards and backwards. She also did her cartwheels the very best that she could – even though sometimes her legs flopped over to the side before the cartwheel was finished! There were always plenty of thick mats on the floor so no one would get an owie or a boo-boo from a fall.
This morning Lauryn’s soccer class was also practicing at the Family Picnic Grounds as well – just before the tumbling class was to begin. Fred took down all of the information from the phone call and informed Sam. “Sam, we’re having visitors this morning!” called Fred to Sam. Fred enjoyed passing the news to Sam because both of them loved to have visitors stop by – especially children! Sam had a very big heart especially for children – and was very watchful over the picnic grounds and beach to make sure that all of the children were very safe. Sam took his job very seriously, and never wanted anything bad to ever happen in Beach Harbor. Beach Harbor, after all, was the most special place in the entire world according to both Sam and Fred!
Chapter Two
Exercises at the Family Picnic Grounds
Lauryn’s parents drove her and her very good friend Briley to the Family Picnic Grounds, and met all the other children from the soccer class who were arriving at the same time. Lauryn’s princess bike was in the back of the car, and while everyone was getting ready for soccer she and Briley took turns riding the princess bike on the sidewalk. Lauryn absolutely loved her princess bike. In fact, Lauryn loved everything about princesses and ballerinas – and watched every video with a beautiful princess in it that she could – over and over again! She also loved mermaids – and often dreamed of seeing a real, live mermaid in the ocean. That’s especially why Lauryn loved to come to the beach here at the Family Picnic Grounds. There was a golden sand beach right beside the picnic grounds, where the bar-b-ques were set up for picnics, grass to play in and beautiful trees to give everyone plenty of shade. She and her friend Megan and cousins Catherine and Becca, who were really twins, often flew kites on the beach together. There’s always a breeze on the beach, and the kites would sail high, high into the clear blue sky. When they weren’t flying kites or playing in the sand, Lauryn would play with her crafts and her scrapbook, on a large picnic blanket in the grass under the shade trees.
Lauryn and Briley put away the princess bike and ran into the grass with all the other children. They all practiced kicking soccer balls, passing them back and forth to each other using only their feet. A small goal was set up and all of the children took turns trying to score a goal. It was all so much fun – kicking soccer balls, passing the ball to her friends, scoring goals and running around with her hair flying in the air. Life in Beach Harbor really was perfect, thought Lauryn!
When the children were all done playing soccer, Lauren arrived with the big soft mats so the gymnastic class to could begin. Lauren put all of the mats into a big square – right under the shade of the biggest tree around. Lauryn and Briley practiced their tumbling – stretching and rolling and tumbling. Lauren called it a somersault when Lauryn rolled head over heels on the mats. Sometimes Lauryn got very dizzy and wobbly on her feet afterwards – especially if she did more than one somersault in a row! When she was dizzy the whole world wouldn’t stand still! Her friend Megan and her cousins Catherine and Becca arrived and watched the gymnastic class with Lauryn’s parents on the picnic blanket. Lauryn’s mom brought a large picnic basket filled with sandwiches, cookies and snacks; while her dad brought a cooler with ice and cold drinks. Picnics were always fun at the beach!
Chapter Three
Time to Splash in the Water and Play in the Waves
Once the gymnastics class was over, Lauryn and Briley said good bye to the other children, and sat down on the picnic blanket with her parents and Megan, Catherine and Becca. It was lunch time! Lauryn’s dad was bar-b-queing cheeseburgers, and she liked hers with all the works! After eating lunch, all the kids ran down to the beach and played in the sand and splashed in the small waves. After a while Lauryn’s dad put a kite together and everyone took turns running up and down the beach with the kite climbing higher and higher in the clear blue sky. The kite was yellow and had a long white tail, and it was easy to see against the deep blue sky as it flew back and forth and to and fro. What a beautiful day it was at the beach – and to fly kites!
The water was a little cold on Lauryn’s legs as she splashed in the waves. Every now and then, she’d find a sea shell and have to run back to the picnic area to give it to her mom for safe keeping. Lauryn wanted to start a collection of sea shells – and always hoped that she would one day see a real live mermaid! But for now, collecting sea shells in the shallow water was fun enough, and Lauryn already had a growing collection! So far Megan had found the very best sea shell of all. It was turned like in little circles and was long and skinny. It even had pretty colors – especially on the inside where it was pink with white on the edges. All children love sea shells after all – especially Lauryn and Megan!
The sea gulls liked to fly over the beach and picnic area because they always were looking for a free meal! Sometimes the children would throw popcorn and pieces of bread high into the air and the sea gulls actually caught the food in mid air with their beaks! They also made a lot of noise when they flew. Sometimes the sea gulls were very brave and actually walked up and down the beach looking for food. Any time the kids ran by with the kite, the sea gulls would take off into the air and make lots of noise. It was so much fun running up and down the beach! Soon everyone was tired and went back to the picnic blanket for some snacks. Mom had lots of drinks for everyone – and cookies too! The day could not have been better thought Lauryn, as she put her head down on a folded blanket to use as a pillow for a little rest. You know that playing on the beach was really very hard work, and sometime kids even had to rest their eyes for a while!
Chapter Four
Dreams of Princesses, Carriages and Horses
Lauryn rested her eyes for a few minutes, and when she lifted her head off of the folded blanket – everything was different! Her friends and her family were all resting quietly on the blanket with their eyes closed. Lauryn looked around and the picnic grounds had been decorated with beautiful pink and white bows with streamers strung between the trees. Candelabras on stands with lots of tall candles were lit between each tree. A beautiful white tent was set up in the grass and many colorful banners and flags moved gently in the breeze. Two guards in colorful uniforms, each with a sword in a sheath at their side and holding a long thin polished horn, stood on either side of the entrance to the tent. They each wore a shiny polished helmet with a large white feather plume on one side. Lauryn wondered who they were and what could be inside the tent!
Lauryn sat up to look around, and over to the side she saw the carriage! It was a beautiful golden carriage with large decorative wheels. Eight beautiful white horses stood patiently in front of the carriage, with little golden bells strung along all of the harnesses and leads. A driver, in the same colorful uniform as the two guards over at the tent, sat at the ready atop the carriage – waiting to drive on command. Another guard in uniform waited at the open door of the carriage, and had placed a small step stool on the ground in front of the door. There was a small platform behind the carriage for him to stand on when the carriage was underway – and a place to stow the step stool safely away.
The carriage itself was shaped like a princess’s tiara – going high into a peak behind the driver and gently curving back over where the passengers sit inside. The outside was silver and gold, with diamonds and pearls decorated everywhere around it. Lauryn got up and walked over to the carriage to have a closer look. The horses were eager to go, and frequently lifted their feet, pawed the earth and shook their heads. Even their tails would swoosh back and forth in their eagerness to run. Every now and then Lauryn saw red rubies, blue sapphires and green emeralds decorated on the carriage as well. She looked into the carriage and saw that the interior was lined in red velvet, and on the seat were pillows and robes made of ermine – fit for a prince or princess!
Lauryn jumped when the guards with the horns trumpeted a few loud notes – announcing that something was about to happen! Suddenly the guards pulled back the flaps over the door to the white tent, and then ten ballerinas came out in tutus of every color in the rainbow! They danced and twirled and curtsied to each other as they formed a great circle and then danced into two parallel lines. Then out of the tent came a real Prince! He danced with each one of the ballerinas, one at a time, and then stopped at the end of the two rows of ballerinas that were extending out from either side from the tent’s door. Another trumpet call sounded and out came the most beautiful Princess that Lauryn had ever seen! Her tutu was pure white with white pearls and diamonds! Both the Prince and the Princess wore crowns that glittered and sparkled in the sunlight, as they were made from diamonds! The Princess danced slowly between the lines of ballerinas until she met her Prince in a long embrace, bending back in a graceful arc with her arm extended like the long neck of a graceful white swan, while the Prince supported her with one arm!
Just then both the Prince and Princess turned to Lauryn, and beckoned her to join them with their hands! When the Princess took Lauryn’s hand, all of a sudden Lauryn was wearing a tutu as colorful as all the other ballerinas and she danced with both the Prince and Princess while the ballerinas danced in graceful circles and flowing lines all around them. Lauryn was so happy that she had to pinch herself! Was this really happening! Was she dancing with a real Prince and Princess? How wonderful and beautiful everything was! She hoped this day would never end!
Chapter Five
Adventures at Sea with Sam
All of a sudden the trumpets sounded again, and the Prince and Princess led Lauryn over to the carriage. They all stepped up into the carriage, with the guard helping them up and getting them seated. Lauryn sat on an ermine pillow and the Prince and Princess put on their robes – with a single diamond covered fastener at their necks. The guard took away the step stool, closed the carriage door, stowed the stool behind the carriage and stepped up onto the platform. With a sharp cry the driver gave a great shake of the reins and the horses actually jumped forward in eagerness all together as they started across the grass. It wasn’t very far from the Family Picnic Grounds to the docks in the harbor. Sam and Fred had been watching all the activity from a distance and saw the carriage and eight horses approaching. The carriage stopped right alongside the dock, and the guard stepped down to prepared the stepstool and then opened the carriage door.
“Welcome to Beach Harbor” said Sam proudly, as everyone stepped out of the carriage and then stood on the dock right beside him. “We’re so happy that you decided to visit us, and we have a very special treat for you Lauryn,” announced Fred. “Sam will take you on a trip to the Island of Beauty, Dreams and Imagination! It isn’t very often that we have an opportunity to visit the island of Beauty, Dreams and Imagination! We are delighted to take you there, and since there is so much to see – we’ll help everyone aboard!” So the Prince, Princess and Lauryn walked up the narrow ramp and stepped aboard Sam’s perfectly clean and tidy deck. Sam was a mighty proud tugboat and always kept himself in shipshape condition – just in case he had the opportunity for visitors! Sam always loved visitors!
Fred waved and said good-bye, and then took away the ramp and placed it carefully on the dock where it belonged. Sam let out a short tooot! as he maneuvered away from dockside and into the harbor. Beach Harbor can be a very busy place with many ships, both large and small, maneuvering in the harbor – and Sam was always very careful to sound a short tooot! to let other boats know that he was underway, and he always looked both ways when entering into the open water. Fred returned to his coffee and newspaper, but remained watchful over the beach as well as the Family Picnic Grounds, to make sure that all the boys and girls and their parents were ok and enjoying themselves. After all, Fred had a phone and radios at his dockside office in case he needed to call for help. He had all of the phone numbers for the emergency services, like for the Police and Fire Departments. Using his binoculars, Fred was able to make sure that no one was ever in trouble at Beach Harbor. Fred always wanted to make sure that Beach Harbor was the very best place to live in the whole wide world!
Once out into the open water, Sam with his very special passengers Lauryn, the Prince and the Princess were all enjoying the scenery. They passed the lighthouse at the end of the harbor, which was painted in wide stripes of alternating red and white, and it had a very bright white light on top – going around and around in slow circles. They stood on the bow of the tugboat as Sam described to them the harbor, the beach and picnic grounds - and told them that they would soon be going out into the open ocean - and to always hang on to him and be very careful. The three of them had put on their lifejackets as they left the dock – and what a sight they made! Lauryn and the Prince and Princess were still wearing their beautiful ballet costumes, and now they had bright orange life jackets on over them! No one ever wanted to fall into the water by accident, and even if they did, Sam had all the lifesaving equipment on board that was ever needed. Sam had a float with a long line attached to it, a long pole, a ladder to put over the side, a life raft and a small row boat to use if needed.
There was a breeze in the air that blew their hair every possible direction as they enjoyed gazing out across the beautiful ocean. The sea gulls followed Sam and his friends as every now and then they found something to eat in the water as it churned behind Sam. The sea gulls would sometimes land in the water to eat the food - floating in the water like a bobbing cork. Or they simply flew down to the water, opened their beak, and skimmed the food right out of the water while they continued to fly! It was an amazing sight for Lauryn. There were also flying fish that joined Sam, jumping out of the water and flying through the air for a short way until splashing back into the water again. Then they would do it all over again and again - what fun it was to watch them, thought Lauryn! Soon some dolphins also joined in the act and continued to lead Sam and his friends by jumping out of the water over and over again out in front of Sam. As Sam took his friends further and further out to sea, soon they couldn’t even see the shoreline behind them anymore!
Chapter Six
Swimming with a Mermaid
All the time Lauryn watched the dolphins leaping out of the water, she thought to herself that she really hoped to see a real live mermaid someday – wouldn’t that be special she thought! Just then the Princess started to describe to Lauryn where they were going. The Prince stood to Lauryn’s left and the Princess on her right, looking out across the ocean as the Princess began to speak, “Lauryn, we’re taking you to a very special place today – to an enchanted land, where everything is pure of heart and innocent. Where dreams really do come true. Where if you believe in yourself strong enough – you can do anything that you set your mind to. This is where our home is – our castle in the clouds! Our land is called the the island of Beauty, Dreams and Imagination! There are very few people that get a chance to visit our land with us – only those of pure and innocent hearts, who still believe that dreams really, really, really can come true! In fact, the only visitors that we have ever taken here have been young children, because so many others have lost their belief in dreams coming true. Only children still have a pure imagination, and it is so very sad to see grownups that no longer believe that their dreams will come true. In fact, many grownups forget that they ever had dreams when they were young and now no longer believe in dreams. But since you are still young, and you still believe that dreams can come true, and we know that you have a pure and innocent heart – you will be our special friend and have the opportunity to visit our land!” Lauryn didn’t know what to think – she was so excited inside!
Soon the ocean began to get very foggy and misty, and the air had a slight chill to it. The Princess put her hand on Lauryn’s shoulder and suddenly they were all dressed in splendor – in the clothes of royalty! Lauryn had on a beautiful blue dress and slippers that sparkled and shone. Lauryn also wore a Tiara covered in diamonds and jewelry made of pearls and precious gemstones – she was a real Princess now! The Prince and Princess were wearing their ermine robes again and their clothing was of purple and gold. The Princess was in a gorgeous gown that trailed behind her onto Sam’s deck all the way to his cabin door. She held a Scepter which was like a stick but made of gold with diamonds. The Prince and Princess both wore their Crowns too – but theirs were much bigger and fancier than her Tiara was – but Lauryn’s was made of gold, silver and diamonds too!
It was so foggy now that they couldn’t see anything other than Sam and each other anymore! Sam turned on all of his lights and had the ship radar going on the top of the cabin, like a little antenna going around and round. Sam let out two short toots – Tooot! Tooot! – and slowed to a stop. All of a sudden a shaft of sunlight broke through the fog and in front of them was a small dock and some rocks – barely peeking out of the water. What did Lauryn see sitting on the rock? Why it was the most amazing and beautiful Mermaid that Lauryn had ever seen! She had long golden hair and a wondrous tail like a fish that curled in front of her with an amazing fin on the end. Her tail was silvery and glistened in the sunlight, with her fin moving back and forth ever so slowly.
Her name was Serenity, because she was so peaceful and calm and beautiful – just like a wonderful state of mind. Lauryn stepped onto the dock and took Serenity’s hand, and Serenity whispered to her, “In this land of enchantment, I will allow you too, to be a Mermaid for but a little while.” And with that Lauryn looked down and she saw that she had become just as beautiful a Mermaid as Serenity was! She had a silvery green tail with a wonderful fin on the end too, and together they slipped into the water with Serenity holding Lauryn’s hand. Lauryn was filled with wonder and awe as they swam under the water, surrounded by thousands of fish! She wasn’t scared though, because she was a beautiful Mermaid herself now, and Serenity continued to lead her through the amazing underwater world by the hand. The coral reefs were beautiful - with colors of white, orange and yellow and the fish were every color of the rainbow! Lauryn didn’t want to return to the air and leave this amazing undersea world behind, but Serenity eventually brought her back to the surface and they climbed back up onto the rocks. At once she was a little girl again in her Princess clothing, and everything was as dry as ever before – even her hair! “This really is an enchanted land,” she exclaimed! Thanks you so very much Serenity for sharing it with me!
Serenity then said at last to Lauryn, “Always remember my dear sweet friend, that when you feel at peace and at love with the world, your heart will always be with me here in my underwater world! I will never forget you, or this day that we have had together, because I haven’t had such a sweet friend visit me in a very long time. Never forget the time that you enjoyed as a real Mermaid, and hold that memory firmly in your heart – for this memory will last you a lifetime, and will bring joy to your heart when you have a very beautiful and calm peace enter into your life – in those times, you will think of me!” Lauryn said good-bye to Serenity, gave her a big hug, and Serenity gave her a tender kiss on her forehead, gently brushed her hair away from her face, and said good-bye as well. Lauryn looked over her shoulder back at Serenity as she climbed back aboard Sam, and as Sam pulled away from the dock, the sunshine was gone, the fog returned again and Serenity disappeared in the mist. But Lauryn always remembered what Serenity had told her, and treasured the words and memory of Serenity in her heart for the rest of her life!
Chapter Seven
The Island of Beauty, Dreams and Imagination
Sam continued underway through the fog and mist, and Lauryn again had the Prince and Princess at her side as they all peered into the white clouds of fog that hung all around them. Lauryn heard the ringing of many bells, as crystal clear as she had ever heard bells before! Lot of bells, big ones and little ones, both high pitched and low, all ringing through the mist. The Prince turned to Lauryn and said, “We’ve arrived at the Island of Beauty, Dreams and Imagination Lauryn! With every visitor’s arrival to our Kingdom the bells ring in gladness and joy. Our Kingdom welcomes both our arrival and yours as well, for this land is full of love – love for everyone and everything! No one, whether a person, animal or plant, ever visits our land without being surrounded in the love of all who live here. And when they depart again for the Distant Lands, we wish them well with our love – like the wings of an eagle lifting them on their way. It is how we live and the code that we live by – there is no higher responsibility for everyone and for everything in our Kingdom – people, animals or plants – than to love all, completely and freely.”
The Prince continued, “We call this love of ours Unconditional Love, because there is no gold, or silver, or jewels on earth that can purchase this love – it is given freely to everyone and everything without a price. It is both our free gift and responsibility to give it to each other and to the entire world. That is our only rule in the Kingdom, and why we have so few visitors to our land. We find it very difficult to find anyone, young or old, big or little, that can live by our rule – and that’s why we have brought you here with us. We know that your heart is pure and innocent, and you are able to love your parents and your friends – and even all of the animals and plants – with the same Unconditional Love as we have here in our Kingdom. So we have invited you not only to visit with us, we have actually made you a Princess of our land – a Royal Title you will hold for the rest of your life – as long as you live by the rule of love. Welcome to the Island of Beauty, Dreams and Imagination!”
As the Prince spoke those words, Sam pulled up alongside a very long and narrow dock, and then the clouds lifted, and the mist and chill went away from the air. Sunshine shone all around them as they stepped onto the dock, and as the clouds continued to lift away, Lauryn saw before her a beautiful green land that was the prettiest land that she had ever seen! The houses were all cute and pretty cottages, with thatched roofs, wooden beams and beautiful flower gardens. As they walked through the village, with narrow curving streets, Lauryn remembered the picture book of Old England that she had seen – and knew it was just as lovely here as the picture book was at home – but even better! The village people bowed and curtsied as she passed, and the animals were attentive to her and wagged their tails in excitement. As she passed by with the Prince and Princess, even the flowers greeted them with a bow of their own – slightly bending in her direction and waving with the petals of their flowers.
They continued to walk through the village, and greeted everyone in return – waving, smiling and greeting everyone by name. When they had walked through the entire village there were three beautiful horses standing in the greenest meadow that Lauryn had ever seen before. They had beautiful saddles and reins, with colorful cloth of purple and gold draped over them. Each horse had a guard standing at the ready – just like the ones at the white tent in the picnic grounds! They all raised their horns and announced their arrival with golden notes of music. The music was so beautiful that Lauryn could actually see every one of the individual golden notes leave the horns, float through the air, and echo through the sky into the distance beyond! This really was an enchanted land, where you can even see the notes of music in the air and where the flowers greet you with a bow and a wave of their petals! She couldn’t believe everything she was seeing and hearing! It was all too amazing for her!
The attendants helped them mount the horses, and when Lauryn patted her horse on the side of its mane, she quietly said thank you to her horse in advance for carrying her. The horse spoke to her, but not with words, but instead spoke to her directly through her heart! “My name is Guardian,” said her beautiful companion, “and it is on my back that I will watch over you. You are the most special visitor that I have ever escorted in this land, and I am yours for as long as you need me – to guide you through this land. I will watch over you, show you the way, be your guide and explain to you all that you will ever need to know, and answer your every question for you. For I am always and forever at your service!”
What a wonderful horse, thought Lauryn, and then she said, “Guardian, I am honored to ride on your back and will love for you to show me this land of yours!” At that the Princess said from atop her own horse, “We now leave you in the trusty service of Guardian, your steed, who will take you where you need to go. We are always close by, and if you ever need us just think of us in your heart. But now we have other matters of our Kingdom to attend to – there are people, animals and plants throughout this land that need our love, and we will be attending to them and providing all the love that our land requires. One more thing Lauryn, you will find that just as you give your love to others wherever you go, it is the love that you receive in return that is always greater than the love you yourself share. Love originates in your heart, and your heart has a never ending supply of love to give away. The purpose of love is always to give it away, and not to keep it for yourself. You will find that even as you empty your heart by trying to give it away, the love that you receive will fill it up again even faster – spilling over the edges. Enjoy our Kingdom, and may our love be with you everywhere you go!”
Chapter Eight
A Castle in the Clouds
At once the Prince and Princess rode off down a path towards the next village, greeting everyone and everything along their way - and even the flowers and trees bowed to them as they passed by. Lauryn and Guardian continued forward, into a wood where the path narrowed and began a slow gentle climb as it went winding ahead, and then opened up into a beautiful and peaceful meadow that was sprinkled everywhere with wildflowers. Throughout the forest and all along the way, all of the animals greeted them as they passed by. There were deer, and rabbits, squirrels and chipmunks, raccoons and foxes, sheep and cows - and even turtles, mice, moles, frogs, ducks, swans and beavers that greeted them as they passed by a reflective pond. When the trees finally cleared and Lauryn and Guardian entered the meadow - all of the wildflowers curtsied as she went by. To every living thing, either the animals or the plants that she saw, Lauryn gave a greeting of love and warmth – remembering the words of Serenity in her heart while she rode through the peaceful meadow sprinkled with wildflowers and remembered the pretty reflective pond she passed by.
Lauryn looked ahead and there it was – a beautiful castle in the clouds! The path continued to climb and wind its way ever higher and higher and higher until it at last reached the castle gates. Lauryn didn’t know how long it took to reach the castle as she and Guardian traveled along the path, but once they reached the castle gates the guards sounded their horns again and Lauryn watched their notes of the music ring out – floating and echoing throughout the valley. The castle was larger and taller than she could have ever imagined – and it continued so high into the air that the towers and turrets disappeared into the clouds!
Guardian stopped at the first bridge, pausing so that Lauryn could take everything in. The bridge formed a graceful arch and spanned a moat that was full of beautiful floating plants and flowers. At each end of the bridge were two small towers made of white stone blocks and roofs that came up to a point with spires and colorful flags waving in the breeze. Guardian slowly crossed the heavy wooden planks, and each of the guards bowed in a long show of respect. From atop Guardian, Lauryn nodded and waved in return – this was so much fun – she was about to enter a majestic white castle!
After crossing the moat, they passed a short stretch of a grass infield, and all the blades of grass dipped in her direction – as if blown by a wind. Waves and waves of blades of grass were welcoming her to their home! Guardian knelt on one front knee as the other hoof was extended out in front, and Lauryn slowly and gracefully slid down Guardian’s neck and mane until she was standing on the ground again. Lauryn then turned to the grass and gently stroked the grass back and forth and patted it lightly, saying, “Thank you grass, for your warm welcome - it is lovely to be welcomed by so many individual blades as you have welcomed me to your home.” Then Lauryn waved to the more distant flowers that grew beyond her reach and thanked them as well. She couldn’t stop smiling because of all the joy that was in her heart. Again, Lauryn remembered the words Serenity had spoken to her.
Standing up straight again, Lauryn took Guardian’s reins and led him up to the drawbridge which stood massively in front of them, on the other side of yet another moat filled with the same floating plants and flowers, which all twirled in circles in the water when Lauryn approached – causing the water to send out little ripples in all directions – a visible representation of the love that is shared throughout this kingdom, going out in all directions to greet anyone who encounters it. A guard from the tower above the drawbridge announced from his high perch, “Princess Lauryn, Princess of Serenity and Love, is at the gate, accompanied by the steed Guardian with a heart of gold and the loyalty that no man or beast can match! Please man the drawbridge and lower it carefully so that they both may pass into the beloved home of the Prince and Princess, and all of their loyal and loving subjects!” His voice echoed off the many walls and towers, and Lauryn couldn’t believe how loud and clear he had announced her visit – so that everyone in the castle would hear!
The giant wheels turned, extending the chains, as the drawbridge slowly lowered. Lauryn couldn’t believe how large and strong it looked. Each plank looked to her to have been made from a single tree! There was a slight thud as the bridge came down in place on the great stones that made up the edge of the mote, as well as the foundation of the two towers that stood across the moat from the massive castle walls. Lauryn led Guardian across the bridge and up to the very walls of the castle itself, as a great iron gate slowly began lifting. The iron gate had crossing metal rods that looked like a giant crossword puzzle to Lauryn – without the letters in all of the squares that it made. Lauryn could see through the gate as it was lifted and beyond into a courtyard of grass and pathways – large enough for an entire village! In fact there was a village within the great walls of the castle, with the same thatched roofs and timber frame construction as she had seen before - during her visit here in the Kingdom with the Prince and Princess, as well as in the picture book of Old England.
There were village folk tending to cows and sheep in their pens and stables, with many colorful chickens running around between the houses and cottages. Wagons with hay piled high and firewood passed by as everyone was working at whatever they happened to be doing. As Lauryn led Guardian through the village, everyone and all the animals stopped what they were doing to bow and welcome both Lauryn and Guardian. Lauryn returned their greetings and Guardian shook his great mane and pawed the earth as he whinnied his greeting in return. Soon they had passed through the village and stood gazing at the very doors of the inner castle – which climbed ever higher with towers and turrets until it disappeared into the very clouds themselves! Lauryn stroked Guardian behind the ears and on the muzzle, and then she bent her neck back as far as she could, trying to see to the top of the many castle spires – until she almost fell over!
Chapter Nine
An Audience with the Prince and Princess
The two doors to the castle were made of gold, and were carved with beautiful illustrations and scenes from around the Island of Beauty, Dreams and Imagination. Lauryn recognized some of them from what she had already seen – the long dock and shoreline with Sam tied up to the dock, the village, the forest, the pond and meadow and the castle as she originally saw it from a distance. How beautiful the golden doors were, and how tall they were! The two doors were taller than any house in her neighborhood, and again she had to tilt her head back quite a bit just to see all of the carvings on them. As she was looking at the many scenes on the door Lauryn heard a giant key turning from behind the doors, and then heard a latch moving, as both doors slowly opened inwards to welcome her. One of the guards standing inside the castle doors said to her, “Welcome Princess Lauryn to our home and yours – for this is the home of everyone that holds love in their heart, and you Lauryn, are a Princess of Serenity and Love and this is your home for as long as you wish to stay here!”
Lauryn kissed Guardian on the muzzle, and stroked him on both cheeks as she thanked him for his service to her. Guardian bowed, extended one hoof forward and knelt on the other bended knee. Lauryn curtsied to him and gently scratched him behind his right ear, and then turned to walk into the castle, waving back to him as she went in. Guardian was led to one of the many stables in the castle, where he had oats and hay awaiting for him in a stall, with fresh straw to lie on and crystal clear and pure water to quench his thirst. Guardian belonged to the Prince and Princess and to the entire kingdom, and he proudly offered his service to anyone who required it - but there was no one in his many years that had endeared themselves to him as much as Lauryn had. Guardian knew in his heart that Lauryn was the most pure of heart of any of the young visitors that had visited the Kingdom, and he was saddened that there were so few visits in these days. Guardian had heard that the children in the Distant Lands had forgotten how to love tenderly, completely and unconditionally, and as a result Sam’s visits to the Kingdom bringing children here were becoming less and less frequent, as children had become too busy to be bothered with things like beauty, dreams and imagination. TVs, video games and computers had distracted these children until so many of them had actually forgotten how to love with a tender and pure heart, and with that thought Guardian shed a single tear that splashed to the dust below, as his heart was breaking from just the thought of a child who was too busy with machines to love the people, animals and plants in the world around them.
The guards escorted Lauryn down great hallways filled with beautiful paintings depicting great acts of love that had occurred throughout the ages. There were carvings, artwork and statuary showing love being given away in the most unconditional and tender of ways – a man saving a young boy, a woman shielding a little girl from a harm, a man defending a woman’s honor, the poor being fed, the sick being tended to and comforted, the elderly being cared for. All of the artwork, statuary and objects displayed in the castle reminded Lauryn of Serenity, and the words she said to her earlier, “Always remember my dear sweet friend, that when you feel at peace and at love with the world, your heart will always be with me here in my underwater world! I will never forget you, or this day that we have had together, because I haven’t had such a sweet friend visit me in a very long time. Never forget the time that you enjoyed as a real Mermaid, and hold this memory firmly in your heart – for this memory will last you a lifetime, and will bring joy to your heart when you have a very beautiful and calm peace enter into your life – in those times, you will think of me!”
After many hallways, grand staircases and towering stairs, the guards led Lauryn formally into a large timbered throne room, with the walls covered with many great banners depicting the stories and scenes of when Love Conquered All – throughout the ages. At the end of the great hall were two golden thrones, and in front of them stood a great font or raised basin of crystal clear and pure water. Sitting on the thrones were the Prince and Princess! Lauryn walked slowly through the great hall until she came upon the font of crystal clear and pure water. She gazed into the water and saw the many events of her life, as all of her thoughts and words and deeds and actions were playing out there – as if from a movie of her own life! Except this movie wasn’t filmed with a camera – it showed everything just as Lauryn had seen it happen through her very own eyes and in her very own thoughts – during the entire course of her life! She saw the scene on the playground when another little girl had stumbled and Lauryn had helped her up. She saw the times she had been sick and her parents had so gently cared for her. She saw the hugs and kisses and actually heard all of the “I Love You’s” that she had said throughout her entire life! After seeing the image of her parents with her very own eyes in the crystal clear and pure water of the font, she became saddened, remembering her parents and everyone from this morning at the Family Picnic Grounds back at Beach Harbor, as well as her trip with Sam the Tugboat, and all of her friends that she had left behind in the Distant Lands.
It was at that moment the Princess spoke, “Lauryn, our dear sweet little friend. We have so enjoyed your visit to our Kingdom! Your heart is the purest and your love is the deepest of any visitor that we have ever had to our Kingdom! Let it be known throughout our land that your name is always to be, Princess Lauryn, Princess of Serenity and Love, and that forever more you may reside in this Kingdom for so long as you shall live. If you choose to return to the Distant Lands, our blessings will travel with you, as you will be the Ambassador of the Island of Beauty, Dreams and Imagination to all peoples everywhere in the entire world!
As the Princess finished, the Prince stood up from his throne and went over to Lauryn, kneeling on one knee in front of her, and asked, “Lauryn, I sense a sadness in your heart, a longing of yours that remains unfulfilled. Tell me child, why is your heart so troubled?” Lauryn answered, “Sir, I saw in the font of crystal clear and pure water the reflection of my parents, caring for me when I was sick. I saw my friends and the events of my life – through my very own eyes! I miss my parents and my friends. I love the Island of Beauty, Dreams and Imagination so much, but my heart longs to return home. I’m so very sorry…”
The Prince wiped away a tear as it trickled down her right cheek gently with his thumb. He said, “My dear, dear Lauryn – you have no reason to be sorry for the feelings of your heart. For our hearts ache along with your heart, for a troubled heart is the concern of all living things here in our Kingdom. To allow a heart to remain troubled is against our only rule – to love everyone and everything. So in our love for you and for your troubled heart, I offer this prayer of healing and encouragement that will follow you wherever you go, wherever you find yourself throughout your entire life, and for whatever troubles your heart – both now and forever more.”
The Prince continued, “Lauryn, first we must approach the font of Crystal Clear and Pure Water. It is this Water in the font that gives us our great Love, the Love that is our Kingdom, and the Love that brings such enchantment to the Island of Beauty, Dreams and Imagination. Without this Crystal Clear and Pure Water, we as a Kingdom and a people who Love cannot exist. It has Blessed us without ending, it has overflowed into our very hearts since we have existed, and it is without end. This Crystal Clear and Pure Water is The Beginning and The End; our very own Life Blood; it satisfies us as no natural water could; it sustains us and allows us to hold its Love in our hearts so that Love will always remain in us. Lauryn, to mend your troubled heart, we offer you a sip of the Crystal Clear and Pure Water, to wash away all that troubles your heart.”
Taking a golden ladle and poring a small portion of Crystal Clear and Pure Water into a Crystal Cup – as clear and pure as Lauryn’s heart. Lauryn took a sip and returned the Crystal Cup to the Prince, who very carefully wiped it dry with a white linen cloth. Afterwards the Prince continued, “Lauryn, this Crystal Clear and Pure Water from the font of the Kingdom of Beauty, Dreams and Imagination, will ensure that your young heart will remain as pure as the water from this font for all the days of your life. It will wash away your troubles and concerns, and will protect you – wherever life takes you – all the days of your life. May you always represent our Kingdom as our Ambassador to the Distant Lands, and may you always remember our only rule – to Love Everyone and Everything - always.”
With that, the Prince dipped his hands deep into the font of Crystal Clear and Pure Water, and with his dripping hands he held her hands in his as the sign of Forever Friendship, and then placed his hands gently on her head in the sign of Peace and Healing. The Prince then took two fingers and gently lifted Lauryn’s chin so that her eyes could meet his. The Prince knelt on a single knee and said, “I declare as the Prince of the Kingdom of Dreams, Beauty and Imagination, that you Princess Lauryn, Princess of Serenity and Peace, are now healed of your troubled heart, and your wish has been granted to return to the Distant Lands in Love as our Ambassador to them who’s hearts ache for the Love that the Crystal Clear and Pure Water can give them. You are now a living font of this Crystal Clear and Pure Water yourself. Bring the Crystal Clear and Pure Water that you now hold inside you as our Love, to all the children and peoples of the Distant Lands that need it, in the form of the Love you always hold in your heart - so that you can forever give it away to all that need it. May the Peace of the Kingdom go with you, Princess Lauryn, Princess of Serenity and Peace!”
Chapter Ten
Awakening from a Beautiful Dream
Lauryn gently rubbed her eyes and then lifted her head from the folded blanket that she had fallen asleep on. Her parents and her friends Briley and Megan, as well as her cousins Catherine and Becca - were all sitting on the picnic blanket and looking very concerned for her. Lauryn’s mom said, “Lauryn, you were in the deepest sleep we have ever seen you in. You wouldn’t wake up and our hearts were troubled for you!”
With those words Lauryn remembered every detail of her long dream. She remembered what Fred had told her, “We’re so happy that you decided to visit us, and we have a very special treat for you Lauryn” announced Fred. “Sam will take you on a trip to the Island of Beauty, Dreams and Imagination! It isn’t very often that we have an opportunity to visit the island of Beauty, Dreams and Imagination! We are delighted to take you there, and since there is so much to see – we’ll help everyone aboard!”
Lauryn remembered what the Princess had told her, “Lauryn, we’re taking you to a very special place today – to an enchanted land, where everything is pure of heart and innocent. Where dreams really do come true. Where if you believe in yourself stong enough – you can do anything that you set your mind to. This is where our home is – our castle in the clouds! Our land is called the the island of Beauty, Dreams and Imagination! There are very few people that get a chance to visit our land with us – only those of pure and innocent hearts, who still believe that dreams really, really, really can come true! In fact, the only visitors that we have ever taken here have been young children, because some many others have lost their belief in dreams coming true. Only children still have a pure imagination, and it is so very sad to see grownups that no longer believe that their dreams will come true. In fact, many grownups forget that they ever had dreams when they were young and now no longer believe in dreams. But since you are still young, and you still believe that dreams can come true, and we know that you have a pure and innocent heart – you will be our special friend and have the opportunity to visit our land!”
She remembered what Serenity had told her, “Always remember my dear sweet friend, that when you feel at peace and at love with the world, your heart will always be with me here in my underwater world! I will never forget you, or this day that we have had together, because I haven’t had such a sweet friend visit me in a very long time. Never forget the time that you enjoyed as a real Mermaid, and hold this memory firmly in your heart – for this memory will last you a lifetime, and will bring joy to your heart when you have a very beautiful and calm peace enter into your life – in those times, you will think of me!”
Again Lauryn remembered the words of the Princess, “We now leave you in the trusty service of Guardian, your steed, who will take you where you need to go. We are always close by, and if you ever need us just think of us in your heart. But now we have other matters of our Kingdom to attend to – there are people, animals and plants throughout this land that need our love, and we will be attending to them and providing all the love that our land requires. One more thing Lauryn, you will find that just as you give your love to others wherever you go, it is the love that you receive in return that is always greater than the love you yourself share. Love originates in your heart, and your heart has a never ending supply of love to give away. The purpose of love is always to give it away, and not to keep it for yourself. You will find that even as you empty your heart by trying to give it away, the love that you receive will fill it up again even faster – spilling over the edges. Enjoy our Kingdom, and may our love be with you everywhere you go!”
She remembered the words from Guardian’s heart as he spoke directly to hers, ”My name is Guardian, and it is on my back that I will watch over you. You are the most special visitor that I have had ever escorted in this land, and I am yours for as long as you need me – to guide you through this land. I will watch over you, show you the way, be your guide, and explain to you all that you will ever need to know and answer your every question for you. For I am always and forever at your service!”
Lauryn also remembered the words of the Prince, ”We’ve arrived at the island of Beauty, Dreams and Imagination Lauryn! With every arrival the bells ring in gladness and joy. Our kingdom welcomes our arrival and yours as well, for this land is full of love – love for everyone and everything! No one ever visits our land without being surrounded in love and when they depart for the Distant Lands we wish them well with our love – like the wings of an eagle lifting them on their way. It is how we live and the code that we live by – there is no higher responsibility for everything that lives in our Kingdom – people, animals or plants – than to love all, completely and freely.”
“We call this love of ours Unconditional Love, because there is no gold, or silver, or jewels on earth that can purchase this love – it is given freely to everyone and everything without a price. It is both our free gift and responsibility to give it to each other and to the entire world. That is our only rule, and why we have so few visitors to our land. We find it very difficult to find anyone, young or old, big or little, that can live by our rule – and that’s why we have brought you here with us. We know that your heart is pure and innocent, and you are able to love your parents and your friends – and even all of the animals and plants – with the same Unconditional Love as we have here in our Kingdom. So we have invited you not only to visit with us, we have actually made you a Princess of our land – a Royal Title you will hold for the rest of your life – as long as you live by the rule of love. Welcome to the Island of Beauty, Dreams and Imagination!“
“Lauryn, this Crystal Clear and Pure Water from the font of the Kingdom of Beauty, Dreams and Imagination, will ensure that your young heart will remain as pure as the water from this font for all the days of your life. It will wash away your troubles and concerns, and will protect you – wherever life takes you – all the days of your life. May you always represent our Kingdom as our Ambassador to the Distant Lands, and may you always remember our only rule – to Love Everyone and Everything - always.”
And Lauryn remembered Sam saying, ”Welcome to Beach Harbor.” She remembered how very sweet Sam was, and his short, little – Tooots! Lauryn remembered how careful he was with her and the Prince and Princess aboard as his visitors, and how he took her out to see Serenity the Mermaid, and then to the Island of Beauty, Dreams and Imagination! She cherished the warm feelings she held in her heart for all of them and for all that she had seen heard and experienced. “Oh mom – it was all so very, very beautiful on the Island of Beauty, Dreams and Imagination! You would have loved it! Sam the Tugboat and Fred at the Marina, The Prince and Princess, Serenity the Mermaid and Guardian my steed - the most beautiful horse in the whole wide world!”
As Fred watched over the Family Picnic Grounds and the Beach in Beach Harbor, Sam the Tugboat was returning from sea, just off the beach – making sure that everyone was safe – especially all the little girls and boys! It was just then, as Lauryn sat up and blinked her eyes from her beautiful dream, that Sam the Tugboat gave three short little toots from his foghorn – Tooot! Tooot! Tooot! – as he smiled, because everyone knows that Sam loves visitors!
