Another mission checked off our family’s list this year—we finally renewed our passports! It had been over a decade since we last had them updated, and this time, it was extra special because our youngest applied for his very first passport. Back when we were just a family of three, our first (and last) trip abroad was to Hong Kong. Our eldest was just a year old then. Since that trip, life got busy, and renewing our passports kept getting pushed back—year after year. Booking a passport appointment these days isn’t exactly a walk in the park. Everything has to be done online, and every time I checked the DFA website, the slots in the satellite office near us were always fully booked. Eventually, I gave up trying—until a colleague mentioned DFA San Pablo City in Laguna. It's about an hour and a half (or two, depending on traffic) from our place. Out of curiosity, I checked their schedule and, to my surprise, found several open slots. I didn’t waste a second—I booked o...
Hello, dear readers! It’s time for a little detour. Let’s press pause on the usual topics and embark on a whimsical adventure into the realm of storytelling!
Today, I bring you something close to my heart—a short story created with my kids. It’s filled with magic, lessons, and a sprinkle of excitement to spark your imagination. So, sit back, relax, and let the tale of Joe and the Forbidden Kingdom whisk you away to a world of wonder.
In a quiet forest in Washington, a young man named Joe lived with his frail grandmother, Apo. Orphaned at a young age, Joe grew up listening to Apo's tales about fairies living in an enchanted kingdom deep in the woods. But Joe wasn't like his kind-hearted grandmother—he was ambitious and greedy. He dreamt of meeting a fairy, not for magic or wonder, but to wish for a luxurious life.
“No,” Joe lied, his arms crossed.
“If you keep this up, a fairy will punish you,” she warned.
Joe smirked. “Fairies don’t exist, Apo. If they did, we wouldn’t be stuck here!”
That night, Joe dreamt of a glowing fairy. He chased it, but it vanished into thin air. He woke to Apo’s cries and found her gasping for breath. As she lay dying, she whispered, “Stop looking for fairies…”
Grief-stricken and alone, Joe struggled to survive. He hunted for food, often going to bed hungry. Each night, he prayed for a fairy to rescue him. Then one evening, a firefly led him to a table filled with delicious food. He blinked in disbelief.
“Am I dreaming?” Joe pinched himself. The food was real. He devoured it, wondering about the mysterious benefactor.
The next day, while hunting, Joe met Andrew, a man with a huge backpack.
“I know where the fairies are,” Andrew said with a grin.
Joe’s eyes widened. “Take me there!”
Andrew smirked. “Sure, but there’s a condition.”
Joe didn’t bother to ask what the condition was. He packed his things and followed Andrew into the wilderness. They hiked mountains, swam rivers, and braved storms. Exhausted, Joe snapped, “Is this a joke? If you’re lying, I’ll—”
“Look!” Andrew pointed to a cave draped in thorny vines and surrounded by slithering snakes. “That’s the entrance.”
Inside, the darkness gave way to a dazzling light. Gold and diamonds sparkled, and tiny fairies flitted about, giggling and celebrating. Startled by the human intruders, the fairies scattered.
“Wait! We mean no harm!” Andrew shouted, dropping his weapons.
A stern voice boomed. “Leave now!” It was the Fairy Queen. Just then, a cheerful little fairy named Amalia flew up.
“They seem harmless,” she said, soothing the Queen. Turning to Joe and Andrew, she added, “Come, let me show you around!”
Joe and Andrew marveled at the enchanted kingdom: floating carousels, talking plants, chocolate pools, and endless food. But Amalia warned them, “Don’t touch the golden box.”
Days turned into weeks. Joe and Andrew enjoyed magical rides and shopped for extraordinary items. But one day, Andrew’s curiosity got the better of him. “I need to know what’s inside,” he whispered, opening the golden box.
A blinding light filled the room, and in an instant, Andrew vanished. Joe panicked but kept quiet, pretending everything was fine. Yet, he felt hollow without Andrew’s company. The joy of magical rides and feasts faded, replaced by loneliness.
One day, he confessed to Amalia. “I want to go home,” he said quietly. Amalia laughed. “Go home? Didn’t Andrew tell you? Once you enter this kingdom, you can’t leave.” Joe froze. “What?”
Amalia’s smile dimmed. “Your grandmother, Apo, came here too. She opened the golden box, and that’s why she vanished.” Joe’s heart sank. He realized his greed had cost him everything—his Apo, his friend, and his freedom.
Now, Joe wanders the enchanted kingdom, longing for a home he can never return to, forever haunted by the choices he made.
Moral of the story:
Be content with what you have and beware of greed—it may lead you to lose what truly matters.
Credits to my co- Principal Authors:
Yuan Jerico H. Abarintos
Lucas Calix H. Abarintos
P.S. Dear Readers:
Thank you for joining us on this journey into our short story. While the words have come together, the visuals to complement them are still waiting to be brought to life! We’d love to hear your thoughts—how do you imagine the scenes unfolding?
Feel free to drop your version of the story's graphics in the comments or suggest ideas. If you're an artist or designer interested in collaborating, I’d be thrilled to work with you to make this vision complete! Let's bring this story to life together. 🌟
Looking forward to your creative insights!
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