There’s an empire above the clouds. You can’t see it. Can’t hear it even.
1147Please respect copyright.PENANAzxfvh5rlTx
But that doesn’t mean it’s not there. You can’t see or hear the air, can you? But’s it’s there, and it keeps us alive.
1147Please respect copyright.PENANA6vodOxAcQT
Not many people know of this empire, or they forgot the tale with age, but I keep it close to my heart still.
1147Please respect copyright.PENANA7mLkADzNoI
The story goes that a crystal-eyed dragonfly once wanted to fly up and up into the air, higher than any before, to look down on the world and everything on it. So he trained and trained, and eventually, he soared above the clouds.
1147Please respect copyright.PENANAizAX1pPmVU
He didn’t know what he would find. Birds who wanted to eat him? Giants like in those old tales? Planes who flew faster than anything else? He didn’t know, and when he realized that, he couldn’t help but fly back down to the earth.
1147Please respect copyright.PENANAUJFcM5NGRu
One day, when he was feeling sad and hopeless, he met a bumblebee by the name of Espoir. He wasn’t like the dragonfly. No crystal eyes, no rainbow wings, just a furry black and yellow body and eyes like coal.
1147Please respect copyright.PENANAW2r5iOnBiQ
When he saw the dragonfly, he flew over and asked, “Why is the dragonfly not flying high like he so often does?”
1147Please respect copyright.PENANASL2bWQXQRL
The dragonfly answered, “Because I am scared of what is beyond the clouds. I don’t know if I will come down, or if giants will keep me as a pet.”
1147Please respect copyright.PENANAQ6fKEZu3J5
Espoir laughed and smiled kindly at the beautiful creature. “You don’t fly because of what you can’t see? You can’t see the wind, can you? But it carries you, helps you and me to fly.”
1147Please respect copyright.PENANAN4GlwY2zCW
The bee was hardworking and busy, so after that sentence, he flew off back to his hive. The dragonfly thought about flying again, and decided to take the bee’s advice.
1147Please respect copyright.PENANADY3G6Ol1Rl
Up and up he flew once more, and this time he dared not look down nor into the future. He just focused on the present, for the present is a gift is it not?
1147Please respect copyright.PENANAIiZcWoCk5I
He made it above the clouds and looked down.
1147Please respect copyright.PENANAFHqtYCyjoZ
“And look!” he couldn’t help but cry.
1147Please respect copyright.PENANA5TxpRyusCn
Beautiful white clouds and a beautiful blue and green world. No giants and no nasty birds or planes. Just the clean air and a newfound courage.
1147Please respect copyright.PENANARpotiMAWmW
He ruled there forever on as an empire, the one above the clouds, coming to children in this tale and others to tell them that you should not be scared to stretch your wings, to not be scared of what lies ahead.
1147Please respect copyright.PENANAs14NLzayYs
Life is a journey. Life needs such courage.
1147Please respect copyright.PENANAT6hp2A7Dy1
He named that empire Espoir, after the one who had faith in him. Do you know what that name and word means now?
1147Please respect copyright.PENANAi3mD939NW0
Hope.
1147Please respect copyright.PENANAoOUcElk4cI
As the dragonfly rules over the Empire of Hope, so do you have the power to rule the empire of your dreams.
1147Please respect copyright.PENANAcFAti2gsXl
Soar high, and don’t forget such a beautiful empire.