The child's lake

A child wanders the landscape beyond his house for the first time. He finds a valley, and within the valley lies a lake at the base of a cliff. The valley, cliff, and lake are all small, but the small child sees them as vast compared to him. He can barely see above the wild grass that grows around the lake. It doesn't matter; this valley, this cliff, this lake... are his.

Every chance the child gets, he ventures down to the lake. It is his lake, after all, so he is entitled to use the lake however he wishes. Paper boats glide upon the water's surface one day, replaced by splashing along the shore the next. A kite soars high above, a flag waves not so high. The child is happy.

One day, the child travels to his lake, but strange men and several trucks are there. No one has ever been there, except for the child.

Why are you here?

Oh, we're here to make sure this land is ready for building. There are gonna be houses here, kid.

The child is confused. This is his valley, his cliff, his lake. Why are houses being built here?

Five weeks pass. The child finds his valley blocked by fences. A construction crew is inside.

Five years pass. The child is no longer a child. The valley is gone, replaced by houses. The lake is fenced off, with a private pier for the new residents. The valley, cliff, and lake have been taken away from him.

But it was his lake.

But it was my lake....

"i was watching dolphins leap out of the pavement next to my car, and the moon melted into the trees. fuckin tits" - QuanticHawk

Myles United States. November 09 2011 02:37. Posts 4072

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This always sucks.

I, too, had a nice lake I visited with my parents near my house. It flowed out into the Gulf of Mexico and had tons of wildlife.

Now it's a advertisement for a gated community

Rice United States. November 09 2011 02:42. Posts 1220

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Top notch writing imo, very visual and easy to relate to

Freedom will be defended at the cost of civil liberties.

Archas United States. November 09 2011 02:59. Posts 5595

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Thanks for the kind words, Myles and Rice.

I've been thinking about the past a lot lately. Perhaps it's odd to reminisce at my age, but I can't help but remember how I was all those years ago, and what my priorities were. My dreams and desires from childhood are nothing like what they are now.

Twelve years ago, my greatest fear was my parents forgetting me at a grocery store and leaving me behind. Now, it's the possibility of failure in life. A very stark contrast.

I never thought about that sort of thing as a child; I doubt anyone did. My thoughts were of raiding the pantry for sweets, watching Bugs Bunny on television, playing at my lake.

I may not share those same desires anymore, but I remember the days when I did. But as much as I would like to indulge in the trivial pastimes of my youth now, I know it's no longer an option.

So I remember. That's good enough for me.

"i was watching dolphins leap out of the pavement next to my car, and the moon melted into the trees. fuckin tits" - QuanticHawk

mizU United States. November 09 2011 03:00. Posts 9976

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So emooo :[[

if happy ever afters did exist <3 @watamizu_

HwangjaeTerran Finland. November 09 2011 03:09. Posts 4961

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most of the Earth's surface is off limits to the most advanced species on it
how sad is that

The night is dark and full of Terrans.

aebriol Norway. November 09 2011 03:20. Posts 2064

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On November 09 2011 03:09 HwangjaeTerran wrote:
most of the Earth's surface is off limits to the most advanced species on it
how sad is that

Most of? The oceans man ... !

Archas United States. November 09 2011 03:21. Posts 5595

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On November 09 2011 03:00 mizU wrote:
So emooo :[[

Hahaha

Nah, I'm not trying to be emo or anything. I'm just thinking about what used to be. Sadness and regret are part of it, yeah, but the nostalgia brings back joyful memories. I did write this blog in a bit of a forlorn tone, though.

On November 09 2011 03:09 HwangjaeTerran wrote:
most of the Earth's surface is off limits to the most advanced species on it
how sad is that

If you're referring to the ocean, it's only a matter of time, yo. We'll all have one giant lake to share~

"i was watching dolphins leap out of the pavement next to my car, and the moon melted into the trees. fuckin tits" - QuanticHawk

Probe1 United States. November 09 2011 04:04. Posts 16445

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On November 09 2011 02:37 Myles wrote:
This always sucks.

I, too, had a nice lake I visited with my parents near my house. It flowed out into the Gulf of Mexico and had tons of wildlife.

Now it's a advertisement for a gated community

Sigh. Bonita Springs used to be one of those little towns on the southern gulf coast that Jimmy Buffett sings about. I go back there now.. but it'll never be the same as when I grew up years ago. Now it's just.. north naples or south Ft Myers.

Thanks for sharing the story Aeres. We can all relate to it.

우정호 KT_VIOLET 1988 - 2012 While we are postponing, life speeds by

LeoLeo Sweden. November 09 2011 04:09. Posts 444

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We all needed a lake as a child. My lake was a tree at a little forest in my area. It was not a very big forest it took 5 minutes to walk through it, but it was my forest. I used to stroll around there for hours thinking about dinosaurs and other amazing creatures. I called it "the thinking place" as it was a place where all of serenity and thinking.

But like many other kids I grew older, there was no longer time for what used to be. I hate it. I hate how we are shaped by society. Once I saw the trees in my forest as dinosaur with scary claws and when it was dark out there I could feel their shadows chasing me. I don't see the dinosaurs, I want to and I've tried, but they are disguised as trees with branches and leaves. I no longer feel like returning there either, I just wont find the dinosaurs even though I know they are out there somewhere.

Growing up sucks ass, being a teenager sucks more and what probably sucks the most would be taking responsibility for once and becoming an adult. I'm becoming increasingly paranoid, every time there is a risk my brain randomly assumes the worst. I dont want that. I hate that. For once I just want to be able to relax, sit down and talk with my dinosaurs.

End of rant. Also sorry 'bout your lake Aeres/cat I hope you will find a new one, if not you can see my dinosaurs.

They are really fucking cool when they actually appear.

Bacon, Orangina and chilling

MoonBear November 09 2011 05:42. Posts 7487

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To be innocent again and now have to worry about the problems you don't realise exist until you're older...

<3

／人 ◕ ‿‿ ◕ 人＼ A dream. Do you have one that has cursed you like that? Or maybe... a wish?

keiraknightlee United States. November 09 2011 06:06. Posts 301

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Ignorance is bliss

~~~Happiness. Dreams. Love~~~Good Luck

Archas United States. November 09 2011 09:54. Posts 5595

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On November 09 2011 04:09 Mr_Wo_Ot wrote:
We all needed a lake as a child. My lake was a tree at a little forest in my area. It was not a very big forest it took 5 minutes to walk through it, but it was my forest. I used to stroll around there for hours thinking about dinosaurs and other amazing creatures. I called it "the thinking place" as it was a place where all of serenity and thinking.

But like many other kids I grew older, there was no longer time for what used to be. I hate it. I hate how we are shaped by society. Once I saw the trees in my forest as dinosaur with scary claws and when it was dark out there I could feel their shadows chasing me. I don't see the dinosaurs, I want to and I've tried, but they are disguised as trees with branches and leaves. I no longer feel like returning there either, I just wont find the dinosaurs even though I know they are out there somewhere.

Growing up sucks ass, being a teenager sucks more and what probably sucks the most would be taking responsibility for once and becoming an adult. I'm becoming increasingly paranoid, every time there is a risk my brain randomly assumes the worst. I dont want that. I hate that. For once I just want to be able to relax, sit down and talk with my dinosaurs.

End of rant. Also sorry 'bout your lake Aeres/cat I hope you will find a new one, if not you can see my dinosaurs.

They are really fucking cool when they actually appear.

Don't ever change, Woot. :D

"i was watching dolphins leap out of the pavement next to my car, and the moon melted into the trees. fuckin tits" - QuanticHawk

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