Henry Wang Hengle, Grade 8, BASIS International School Shenzhen

“Well, well, well,” chuckled Miss Alice, “Come in now, if you please, and warm yourself up.”

I entered the white-washed house and a sudden warmness radiating from the fireplace embraced me. I finally got rid of all the cold and numbness that had been accumulating in my body for the past two days.

“Have some milk cake, my dear,” said Miss Alice warmly. She handed me a plate full of freshly baked cake, and it was engulfed by my aching stomach. Miss Alice, meanwhile, looked at me warmly. “Do you need some hot tea to wash your cake down with, my dear?” she inquired. And without my reply, she walked over to the fireplace and took a boiling tea kettle whistling with happiness and pouring out a thick cloud of steam. Then she took from the mantelpiece two delicately crafted teacups and poured some hot tea. Handing one to me, she sank into her armchair, sipping the other cup.

“So,” said she, when I finally finished both the cake and the hot tea, “What is your plan for the next part of your journey?”

I hesitated, absent-mindedly brushing the soft fur of Sawyer who sat quietly besides me.

“I guess I just need to go on,” I said after a long hesitation.

Miss Alice chuckled, “Just the right phrase, ‘to go on.’ But never mind, I’ll not bother you longer. I assume you’ll want some savory toasts to take along on your journey?”

“Oh, yes, please, Miss Alice.” I said, thinking at the same time how kind the old lady was, and all of a sudden feeling the path in front of me tenfold lighter.

The old lady walked over to the mantelpiece again, and from there she withdrew a dozen loaves of bread and a bottle of water which she carefully poured from the teakettle. These she handed to me in a leather bag.

She helped me over to the door, turning to a whisper, and asked me, “Do you fully comprehend what hope is, my dear?” She said in a quivery voice and looked into my eyes. I nodded firmly.

“Then good. If you know what hope is, and you have courage in it, you will be able to find it, however difficult the path may be,” she elaborated. “Have courage in hope, and you will find hope. Believe in yourself. Courage and determination are the strongest forces on Earth, and they will lead you to your destination.” And with these wise and illuminating words, Miss Alice and I walked into the sunshiny garden.

“Nice dog that you have,” she added, and a wave of pride came over me as I smiled back at her.

I departed from Miss Alice cheerfully, and having her advice firmly in my head, walked onwards into the wood covered path. Hope still felt far away, but it was closer now. And with that happy thought, I continued onward, Sawyer bounding at my side.