Dhruva and the Dream City: The Journey of Truth, Courage, and Faith

 

In the beautiful village of Aryanagar, there lived a boy named Dhruva. He was nine years old, curious, and intelligent, always eager to learn something new.

One day, sitting beside his mother, Dhruva asked, "Mom! Are the things I see in dreams true?"
His mother smiled and replied, "Child! Sometimes dreams come true, sometimes they don't. But dreams often carry extraordinary secrets."
Dhruva asked, intrigued, "Secrets? What are they?"
His mother smiled and said, "Just as wondrous things appear in dreams, there are also dream cities. However, entry is possible only for a pure heart."
Curiosity stirred in Dhruva's mind. That night, in his dream, he saw the gate to a magnificent city. Golden lamps shone brightly, and the entrance gate was huge, adorned with gems. Above the gate, a sign read:
"Only those who have truth in their hearts can enter here."
Dhruva thought, "Is this the dream city Mom spoke of?"
He moved closer, but as soon as he touched the gate, he woke up! Was it a dream or reality? He could not tell, but an immense curiosity had taken root in his mind.
Determined, he resolved to uncover the mystery of this wonderful city.
(This is the first part. The mysterious flow of the story continues ahead.)
Would you like the second part?

Dhruva woke up the next morning, still pondering his dream. "How was that dream so vivid? The city, the golden gate, the sign… Was it real or not?"
He went to his mother and said, "Mom! Last night I saw a city. It was incredibly beautiful, golden, and studded with gems. The gate was enormous. Above it, a sign read— 'Only those who have truth in their hearts can enter here.' Is this the dream city you spoke of?"
His mother was astonished. She looked at him with a gentle smile and said, "Child! You are on the right path. But to enter the dream city’s gate again, your heart must be pure and full of truth."
Dhruva declared, "My heart is pure! I want to visit that city again!"
His mother smiled softly and said, "Then wait, the sign from the city will come by itself."
Dhruva listened attentively, though he could not fully grasp her words.

That evening, Dhruva sat by a lake near the village, gazing into the water. "How do I visit that city again?" he wondered.
An old hermit passing by noticed him and asked, "Child! What are you thinking about?"
Dhruva approached him and shared everything. The hermit, in a gentle voice, said, "Child! Though your heart is pure, your courage will be tested. The path to the city is not short. If you remain steadfast on the path of truth, there is one thing you must do."
Dhruva eagerly asked, "What must I do?"
The hermit replied, "In this lake, there is a divine lotus. If you can pluck that lotus yourself, the city's gate will reappear in your dream."
Dhruva was astonished. "But the lake is very deep! How do I reach it?"
The hermit merely smiled and walked away.

Dhruva resolved, "I will try!"
He went to the water's edge and spotted the divine lotus, glowing brilliantly in one spot. But when he touched the water, it was ice-cold!
He hesitated for a moment but then moved forward with courage. The water was deep and trembling, but Dhruva was brave. He stepped into the water, and as he reached for the lotus, something incredible happened!
A divine light engulfed him, and suddenly, everything disappeared!

When Dhruva opened his eyes, he found himself back in the dream city! The same golden gate stood before him, just as in his dream. But this time, a man was waiting at the gate.
The man smiled and asked, "You have returned! Has your courage been proven?"
Dhruva, overjoyed, replied, "Yes! I have obtained the lotus!"
The man opened the gate and said, "Then enter! The mystery of the city awaits you!"

Dhruva walked along a hidden path inside a cave. The darkness deepened, but he was not disheartened. His heart remained steady. Only one thought filled his mind: "Today is the test of faith. Will I succeed?"
Eventually, he reached a vast courtyard. In the center, a flame burned brightly. It was no ordinary lamp but a flame like a blazing fire.
Dhruva stepped closer. An inscription appeared, reading:
"Only those who possess unwavering faith can touch this fire."
Dhruva pondered for a moment: "Is my faith complete?"

After a brief reflection, Dhruva raised his hand and brought it near the fire. His heart brimmed with faith.
The moment his hand touched the flame, something miraculous happened!
The flame transformed into a cool light. Then, a divine radiance filled the space, and a voice echoed from the heavens:
"Dhruva! You have passed the test of faith! You embody truth, courage, and faith. Now, I will reveal the greatest secret of this city."
Dhruva, filled with awe, asked:
"The greatest secret? What is it?"

The voice continued:
"This dream city is not merely a dream; it is a symbol of truth, courage, and faith. Only those who possess these three qualities can truly comprehend the city’s essence."
Dhruva asked:
"But where is this city?"
A divine light expanded, and a mirror materialized before him. As Dhruva gazed into it, he saw his reflection—not as he was, but as a ruler.
In the mirror, he wore the royal crown of the city, seated on a magnificent throne, with the city serving at his feet!
Dhruva was astonished:
"I am… the ruler of the city?"
The voice replied:
"Indeed! The city is not a physical place. It resides in your heart. Whoever holds truth, courage, and faith becomes the master of their own life."

Dhruva realized:
"All the secrets of life lie within the mind. One who walks with self-confidence, faith, and courage becomes the creator of their own destiny!"
He returned to the dream city. But now, he was no longer just a boy; he had attained self-knowledge.
Dhruva returned to his village and went to his mother. He bowed to her and said:
"Mother! I have discovered the secret of the dream city. The city exists nowhere but in the heart!"
His mother gazed at him with love and said:
"Child, now you truly understand the meaning of life!"
Dhruva smiled and replied:
"Indeed! The greatest secret of life is this: hold faith, truth, and courage, and everyone can create their own dream city!"

(Thus, the story concludes. But the true path of life continues… Whoever seeks will find their own dream city!)