The sun was gleaming through the window of Kate’s room. When Kate got up that day, she became worried as she couldn’t find the shoes she wanted to donate to a charity.

She was raised by her single mum, Nancy. Her father had abandoned them when she was small. Kate was kind, affectionate and generous. She loved helping others. Every weekend, she was always volunteering at the animal shelter or helping the homeless. In her school, teachers used to praise her for her remarkable generosity and selflessness.

While Kate was looking for the shoes, she stumbled upon a golden cylinder. And that cylinder changed her life and the world.

“I have never seen this here before,” she thought.

Curiosity took over Kate and she pressed the red button on it. Zoom! She was immediately transported to a different environment. Kate was frightened and beads of sweat started to form on her forehead as she tried to find the cylinder again. It was nowhere to be seen.

After calming down, Kate noticed the trees, clouds, the sun and people, things that were present back on Earth too. It was surprisingly similar. However there was one key difference. Everything was cleaner. The stench of burnt rubber and cigarettes was non-existent here. Garbage weren’t lying down on the streets. Greenery was blooming everywhere. Everything seemed perfect — a way healthier condition than Earth.

“Hello. I haven’t seen you around here.” asked a peculiar boy, interrupting her thoughts. He looked like he was around the same age as Kate. He had blue eyes and golden hair.

“You see I was at home on planet Earth. I found this weird cylinder and pressed a random button and here I am. Can you please help me?” Kate mumbled all at once.

“Oh well, that seems strange. Let me introduce myself. I am Ben. This is planet Kronolopolis, where we all live in perfect unity,” Ben explained.

“How do you manage to do that? Back on Earth, there are always conflicts and fights,” Kate replied.

“Well, in the history class, the teacher explained to us that we achieved unlocking 100 percent of our brains. A great scientist, named Dr Christopher John, did this. He said, to achieve this, the mind has to be in peace. Keep reminding yourself that you are in control of your body and that is the ability that can change the world. Little children had 30 minutes a week dedicated to trying to practice this for two years!

“These exercises also taught us there is always room for improvement. If you keep on working hard, your goals and dreams will come true. Although it was complex and tedious, it was for the best. Look at how advanced our civilisation is,” Ben explained.

“Dr Christopher John is the name of my father! How is he over here? He was supposed to be with us,” Kate dramatically exclaimed.

“He is a distinguished scientist. He is a great contribution to Kronolopolis. However, he did make a trip to the planet Earth, to see if we can learn from them. But there was not much to learn, it seemed,” Ben commented.

Kate was shocked. Why didn’t her father stay with them on Earth? She always thought of him as Voldemort in Harry Potter.

“Have you tried looking for the cylinder?” Ben quickly added.

“Yes, I have, but I can’t find it!” Kate whined.

“Two heads are better than one. Let me help you,” offered Ben.

They began to search for the cylinder. Their first destination was the park. Birds were fluttering their wings with joy. The trees were swaying, and so were the flowers. There was a mild breeze in the air. They looked everywhere but couldn’t find it.

They soon decided to eat as they were very hungry. They ordered some noodles from a nearby stall, and ate it. Afterwards, they started to look for Kate’s cylinder again. But soon Kate noticed a white light coming towards them. She realised that it was a Pegasus and there was a man riding on it.

“Is that Christopher John? Oh my God. It is him!” Ben shouted, stumbling over words.

Kate was confused and startled. Many questions popped in her head ... her father? On a Pegasus?

The Pegasus landed right next to them. A tall man with black hair and grey eyes was sitting on the creature. He was wearing a blue suit.

“Salutations, dear ones!” Christopher John said as he walked towards Kate with a golden cylinder in his hand.

“Kate, I am so-sorry. I…” Christopher emotionally remarked. Tears rolled down his grey eyes.

“Dad! Where were you this whole time? You left mum and me. Why are you here? Are you even human?” Kate commented.

“I had to leave Earth for humanity’s sake. I wanted to observe and benefit Kronolopolis. My next mission is Earth. You see, my mum was Kronolopian and my dad was a human. I was not allowed to tell this to anyone. I used to live with my mum, and sometimes visited my dad. Also, you are the Chosen One,” Dr John responded.

“Chosen One? What does that mean?” Kate asked.

“The chosen one must have these traits: kindness, caring, intelligent, donates to a charitable cause and has the hope to restore humanity. My daughter, you have all of these things. You have been chosen by the Queen of the Milky Way. I am so proud of you. The Chosen One has to help make Earth a better place.. I was also the Chosen One for planet Kronolopolis. And I helped it in so many ways. The golden cylinder was in your closet for a purpose. I hoped you would find it one day and can visit me here. Didn’t your mother tell you?” Christopher said.

Her mother hadn’t told her anything about this. She was always quiet about details of her father.

“No, she didn’t,” Kate disclosed, a little angrily.

“It must have been for a reason. I’m sorry if I abandoned you and left you guys all alone,” Christopher expressed.

“It is fine. I really wished we could have spent more time together,” Kate expressed.

“You have to go back to Planet Earth now and fulfil your duty. Unfortunately, I cannot come. I have to stay here. You just have to press the red button to come here again,” Christopher informed, pointing to the red button in the cylinder he was holding out.

Kate took the cylinder from him. “Okay. Goodbye, father! And bye, Ben! Hopefully we meet again soon,” Kate said.

They all awkwardly glanced at each other and then Kate pressed the button. Zoom! Kate was now back at home. Oh, the smell of smoky air felt like home. Her mum ran to her and hugged her.

“Where were you? I have been worried sick! It has been a week!” her mother exclaimed.

“I found the golden cylinder. And I went to Kronolopolis. I even met dad. He told me I was the Chosen One for Earth. Why didn’t you tell me about this cylinder?” Kate added.

“I was just mad at your father. I didn’t want you to meet him or get involved in all this. But I should not have done that,” her mother explained.

Kate forgave her mother and they started to work on ideas to help make Earth a better place. The cylinder was still there, so she could always go to Kronolopolis any time.

Kate worked hard on improving the Earth and herself. She held protests and rallies to raise awareness of problems such as gender discrimination, poverty, pollution and racism. Unlocking a hundred percent of people’s minds was a difficult task, but she managed to only unlock 20 percent of their minds. But even that helped in improving people’s lives. Her efforts made Earth a little more like Kronolopolis, safe and peaceful.

Published in Dawn, Young World, September 3rd, 2022