Sara and Sam, still upstairs in their rooms, hurriedly gathered their belongings and toys. They knew their family was about to embark on an exciting journey and they didn’t want to be the reason for any delays.

Sara, the older sibling, shouted back, “I’ve got everything, mum!”

She checked her backpack one more time to ensure she had her favourite books and a few snacks.

Sam, the younger one, echoed her, “I’m almost ready too, mum!”

He hurriedly stuffed his favourite action figures into his small backpack.

Mum smiled as she heard their responses and began preparing a quick breakfast for everyone.

The family finished their breakfast and made their way to the airport, As the family boarded the plane, the excitement of the journey filled the air. Sara and Sam gazed out of the window, watching the world become smaller below them as the plane took off. The flight to Dallas, Texas, was smooth, and they enjoyed looking out at the clouds and playing with their in-flight entertainment. They landed at Dallas at 6pm, and as they disembarked from the plane, the warm Texan evening welcomed them.

After arriving in Texas, their uncle Josh and aunt Sally gave them a warm welcome at the airport. They all then headed to their house, which they reached around 8pm. Sam and Sara were excited to meet their cousins and explore their new surroundings. It was their first time in Texas, and they couldn’t wait to see what adventures awaited them.

Upon arriving at the house, the cousins joyfully greeted each other. Aunt Sally and Uncle Josh suggested freshening up before a delightful dinner filled with stories and laughter.

The next morning, Sam and Sara, eager for their Texas adventure, joined their cousins in a lively game of Scrabble, ultimately celebrating a victory for Sam and Marie. After the game, they left the room and decided to check if anyone else in the house was awake. However, it seemed that most of the family was still asleep, likely due to the tiring journey they had just experienced on the plane.

Aunt Sally, who was awake, noticed their restlessness and desire to explore. She granted them permission to go outside and enjoy in the garden. But she cautioned them not to venture near the treehouse, emphasising the need for caution. As Sam, Max, Marie and Sara played in the garden, their curiosity got the best of them. Sam couldn’t resist asking Max and Marie about the treehouse that was mentioned earlier.

He asked, “Is there really a tree house here? And why did Aunt Sally tell us not to go there?”

Max and Marie shared what they knew, explaining that their mum had never allowed them to visit the treehouse because of a local rumour. According to the tale, a child had once visited the treehouse and had mysteriously disappeared, never to be seen again.

Just as they were talking about this, Aunt Sally’s voice rang out, calling them inside for breakfast. They quickly left their discussion and joined her inside. After breakfast, the family embarked on their day of exploration. They visited the Sixth Floor Museum, where they enjoyed learning about its history and significance. They returned home late at night and had a delicious dinner together. The day’s activities left the children tired, and they went to bed soon after.

As the days passed, the family continued to explore the tourist attractions in Dallas, having a great time discovering the city. However, as their time in Dallas drew to a close, Sara and Sam couldn’t shake the thought of the mysterious treehouse they had heard about from Max and Marie.

Desperate to visit the treehouse, they approached their aunt and parents, seeking permission, but they were met with refusal. Disappointed and sad, they retreated to their room, unable to let go of the idea of that mysterious place they had only heard stories about from the locals.

After pondering for a while, Sara and Sam hatched a plan. They decided that they would sneak off early in the morning, before anyone else was awake, to visit the treehouse. With their bags packed with toys and snacks, they went to bed excitedly, ready to embark on their own adventure the next morning.

Sara and Sam were up early the next morning, and they headed to Max and Marie’s room. To their surprise, Max and Marie were already awake. Excitedly, they shared their plan to visit the mysterious treehouse and invited Max and Marie to join them. Max and Marie, equally curious about the treehouse, agreed without hesitation.

The four of them set off towards the treehouse with a sense of wonder and anticipation. When they arrived, they were astonished by the sight of the treehouse they had only heard stories about. Carefully, they climbed the wooden stairs leading to the treehouse. To their surprise, the treehouse was stunning, but it had gathered a layer of dust over time.

As they ventured through the treehouse, Sara’s keen eye caught sight of the almost invisible door at the far end of the treehouse, and with a sense of anticipation, she gently pushed it open. To the children’s astonishment, the door opened to reveal a realm of enchantment that surpassed their wildest dreams.

Beyond the door lay a breath-taking, hidden garden, bathed in the soft, golden glow of magical sunlight. Vibrant flowers of every colour adorned the landscape, their petals radiating a soft luminescence. In the heart of the garden stood a magnificent, ancient tree, its branches reaching for the sky, seemingly connecting to the heavens.

The children, their hearts racing with excitement, entered the magical garden. As they ventured deeper into this mystical world, they discovered that the flowers not only glowed but also emitted melodic, ethereal tunes that filled the air. The tree’s leaves whispered secrets of wisdom and ancient tales, sharing stories of courage, love and adventure.

In the centre of the garden, a sparkling, crystal-clear pool beckoned to them. The water was cool and refreshing, but as they dipped their hands into it, they realised that it had the power to grant them visions of their fondest wishes. They saw glimpses of future adventures, dreams coming true, and the bonds of family and friendship growing stronger.

The children spent hours in the magical garden, surrounded by its wonders and enchantment. They danced with the glowing flowers, listened to the stories of the ancient tree, and even shared their deepest hopes and dreams with the magical pool. Time seemed to stand still as they experienced a world of pure magic and wonder.

As the time passed, the children knew they had to return to the real world, but they left the enchanted garden with their hearts full of wonder and their spirits lifted by the magic they had discovered. They made a pact to keep this incredible secret, a hidden world that only they had the privilege to visit, and to return whenever they needed a dose of magic and enchantment in their lives.

However, the story about the lost child who had visited the treehouse remained a mystery.

Published in Dawn, Young World, December 9th, 2023