Chapter 5
The next morning, Sarah awoke to the soft chirping of birds outside her window. Sunlight streamed into her room, casting a warm glow on her cherished belongings. For a moment, she lay still, recalling the vivid dream and wondering if it had been real.
Suddenly, the memory of Thenga’s promise jolted her into action. She sprang from her bed, quickly dressing and rushing downstairs. The aroma of freshly baked bread greeted her, and she could hear her parents conversing softly in the kitchen.
“Mama! Papa!” she called out, her voice brimming with excitement.
Her parents turned to see her bounding into the room. “Well, someone’s up early,” her father remarked with a chuckle.
“Come outside with me!” Sarah urged, barely able to contain herself.
Her mother raised an eyebrow playfully. “What’s the rush, dear?”
“Please, you have to see something!”
Her parents exchanged curious glances but obliged, following her to the front door. As they stepped onto the porch, they were greeted by an astonishing sight.
There, in the spot where only a patch of dirt and wild grasses had been the day before, stood a magnificent sandalwood tree. Its branches stretched gracefully toward the sky, leaves shimmering with a delicate sheen. The air was filled with its rich, warm fragrance—a scent both exotic and soothing.
Her mother’s hand flew to her mouth in disbelief. “Is that… a sandalwood tree?” she whispered.
Her father approached the tree cautiously, touching the bark as if to confirm it was real. “But how? These trees don’t grow here.”
Sarah beamed with joy. “It’s Thenga! He said he would give us a sign so you’d believe me.”
They turned to look at her, a mixture of astonishment and realization dawning on their faces.
“Sarah,” her father began slowly, “are you saying that Thenga—the one from your dream—did this?”
She nodded enthusiastically. “Yes! He wanted to help us and show that he’s real. Now do you believe me?”
Her mother knelt down beside her, eyes filled with wonder. “I… I don’t know what to say. This is unbelievable.”
Just then, neighbors began to emerge from their homes, drawn by the unfamiliar and enchanting aroma wafting through the village.
“Do you smell that?” Mr. Harris called out, approaching with his wife.
“It’s coming from over there,” Mrs. Miller pointed, as more villagers gathered.
As they reached Sarah’s home, gasps and murmurs spread through the crowd.
“Is that a sandalwood tree?” someone asked incredulously.
“But that’s impossible!” another exclaimed.
Sarah’s parents stood beside her, still grappling with the extraordinary occurrence.
“Everyone,” her father addressed the crowd, “it seems we have a bit of a miracle on our hands.”
“How did this happen?” Mr. Anderson inquired, his eyes fixed on the tree.
Sarah stepped forward, her voice clear and confident. “It’s from Thenga, the traveler from the stars. He wants to visit our village, but he needs our help to find us.”
The villagers exchanged bewildered glances.
“Thenga?” Mrs. Wilson repeated. “From your dream?”
“Yes,” Sarah affirmed. “He grew this tree to show that he’s real and that he wants to share knowledge with us. If we light a bonfire in the playground, he can see it from the sky and come to us.”
A hush fell over the group as they contemplated her words. The evidence of the impossible stood before them, its scent enveloping them in a sense of wonder.
Mr. Harris scratched his head. “Well, I can’t explain how this tree got here. Maybe there’s more to this than we thought.”
Her father looked at the villagers, then down at his daughter, pride and awe shining in his eyes. “I think it’s time we listened.”
However, the villagers had different ideas.
A murmur of disagreement rippled through the crowd. Gradually, people started to disbelieve completely in Sarah’s dreams.