ALKISAH: Prayer for the World [1001 Indonesian Fantasy Stories]
STORY/Time of Miracle: Snowy Night

Snow became a symbol of doom, as well as happiness in the Ansar's life. The white, soft, cold pieces sometimes look so scary when Ansar looks at it for too long, and makes him think of unpleasant events, but, undeniably, it is, if the snow had become the most precious thing for the child.

On Christmas Eve, when all his family gather to eat together, Ansar must always be alone outside the house while observing the snow falling from space. He has been doing it since the fourth grade, and never missed every Christmas.

The reason he did such a thing was actually quite simple. From the beginning, the Ansar was a little different from most children, and to him, it was a strange feeling. And because of that, he felt he did not fit in with any of his family members. His way of looking at it and their way of looking at it, was completely inversely proportional.

However, a few months ago, finally the strange feeling had turned into a burning anger, and hatred towards his family.

“Hah... “ Breath of Ansar billowing in the air. The teenager sat alone on the edge of the pier and was still enjoying the view in the distance. In front of him right now were several boats and ships moored.

The atmosphere was very cold at the time, but fortunately the golden light from the light pole standing beside his seat, made him feel a little warm in the midst of this extreme weather.

Even so, the sea really looked so calm that the surface of the water looked like a mirror, and the snow kept falling from space and seemed endless. What a peaceful sight, and no one can deny it.

The Ansar turned a little back, and found a large brownish-painted castle that had been covered in snow in some parts. A golden yellow light emanated from his windows, and from the largest and widest window on the left, precisely in the dining room, Ansar could see the shadows of his family who seemed to be having fun there.

“You are like a very solo hobby like this.” Said one familiar-sounding voice in Ansar's ear. The voice came from a small green-lit fairy whose body was the size of a thumb, and the elf immediately flew around the head of the Ansar like a madman.

“Lah, you alone, Levz, why come here alone?” Ask Ansar, a little teasing. “Udah want one time loh.” He said after seeing his watch.

“Well I came to make your friends!” Answer the little fairy. After he was tired of flying around the Ansar, Levz finally stopped and sat on the young man's left shoulder. “Hmm... It was cold tonight, right? Same as that time..”

Ansar was rather surprised to hear Levz's words. His breath was stifled, and his eyes were wide open. Needless to say, it was clear that the little elf had indeed alluded to the accident that befell Aslan, a good friend of Ansar, a few months ago.

Aslan died from a landslide while hunting on a hill.

Back then, Ansar felt that the world had collapsed, and unfortunately he was unable to do anything to prevent it.

However, Aslan's death was not the cause of Ansar's anger.

As the villagers mourn Aslan's departure, the Ansar family forbids him from going to his best friend's house. None of the Ansar family members went to Aslan's funeral.

“But he is my best friend... My best friend... And I didn't come to his funeral.” Ansar whispered softly in a sad voice. “Why should there be a difference in this world, even though we are both creatures of God right? Damn it... Can my family prevent me from mourning for her? Just because we're royalty, and he's a commoner. Damnit!” Ansar screeched in a stifled voice, as he did not want anyone else to hear him.

Levz seemed to be speechless at the time, he was silent on the shoulders of the Ansar.

“Humans who make a difference, and humans who have to suffer because of that. So sad, huh?” Levz said suddenly. The little elf caught a single snowflake that fell in front of her, then ate it like ice cream. Then, after he finished his snow, Levz then did something strange.

He used his magic to create a snow puppet that resembled Aslan who was sculpting.

“First time in the forest, I often saw him sculpting when he was resting.” Levz. “He said he made it for sale to help with his school fees.”

“Ya. He used to say, if you are sculpting, it feels like the world is like his own.” Ansar smiled at Aslan's snow puppet. Although it was clear, if his smile was trembling because it was too forced.

“By the way, merry christmas yes, Ansar.”

“Ya, merry christmas, Levz.” Without Ansar noticing, his tears were rushing down his cheeks

SC Image: Google