Thenga’s Gift of Hope: The Sandalwood Tree
Chapter 4
That night, as the silver moon climbed high into the velvet sky, Sarah nestled into her bed, the weight of disappointment heavy on her small shoulders. The soft rustling of the night breeze through the open window carried with it the distant hoot of an owl and the gentle whisper of leaves. She pulled her quilt up to her chin, gazing out at the twinkling stars. “Thenga,” she murmured, her voice barely audible, “I’m sorry. I tried to help you.”
As sleep slowly enveloped her, the familiar haze of dreams began to take shape. She found herself once again in the luminous field where she had first met Thenga. The grasses glowed with that otherworldly light, and the constellations above wove intricate patterns across the sky. The air was filled with a serene calm, and the scent of wildflowers was more vibrant than ever.
From the shimmering horizon, Thenga appeared, his form gracefully moving toward her. His eyes held a gentle concern. “Hello, Sarah,” he greeted softly.
“Thenga!” she exclaimed, relief and joy washing over her. “I’m so glad to see you.”
He smiled warmly. “And I, you. Tell me, how did it go with your parents and the villagers?”
Sarah’s expression dimmed. “They didn’t believe me,” she admitted, her voice tinged with sadness. “They think it was just a child’s dream. They wouldn’t agree to light the bonfire.”
Thenga nodded thoughtfully. “I understand. It’s not easy to accept things beyond one’s understanding.”
“I wanted to help you so much,” she continued. “But I don’t know what else to do.”
He looked into her eyes, his gaze filled with compassion. “Perhaps they need a sign—something to show them that what you say is true.”
She tilted her head. “A sign? Like what?”
Thenga’s eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. “What if I use a bit of my magic to grow a sandalwood tree outside your home? It’s a tree rare in your climate, isn’t it?”
Sarah’s eyes widened with intrigue. “Yes, sandalwood trees don’t grow here. They’re so precious! Mama loves the fragrance.”
He smiled. “Exactly. When they see the tree, they’ll know something extraordinary has happened. They could use it to make fragrances and perhaps sell them in the neighboring town. It might help your family and the village.”
Her face lit up with renewed hope. “That would be amazing! If you do that, they’ll have to believe me.”
“Then it’s settled,” Thenga affirmed with a gentle nod. “By morning, a beautiful sandalwood tree will stand outside your home.”
She clasped her hands together excitedly. “Thank you, Thenga! This means so much.”
He reached out and lightly touched her shoulder. “Your belief and kindness make all things possible. Remember, sometimes people need to see a little magic to believe in it.”
She grinned. “I can’t wait to show them!”
As the dream began to wane, the luminous surroundings softened. “I must go now,” Thenga said softly. “But I’ll be watching over you. We’ll speak again soon.”
“Goodnight, Thenga,” Sarah replied, her heart filled with gratitude.
“Goodnight, Sarah. Keep believing.”
With that, his form dissolved into the starlight, and the glowing field faded into a gentle darkness.