The Place At The End Of The Earth
One night as I was lying in bed, I saw the place at the end of the earth. It was a hill, blanketed in virgin snow, at twilight. At the edge of my vision, the branches of a pine tree hung calmly, lending their aroma to the cool, comfortable air. On top of the hill was a log cabin with a chimney from which wisps of smoke drifted out into the purple-grey sky.
Beyond the hill was a slope that tapered off into the vast chasm of eternity. Yet I was not afraid, because I knew that no one could ever fall into it against their will.
Inside the log cabin was a crackling fire and a cozy hearth, covered in a soft, round, red carpet. And on that carpet, there I was, a child of four years old. I had no expression on my face for I was in complete security, without fears, wrapped in the assurance that I was cared for and could never be hurt.
A force, not unlike the love of my parents, but stronger, coming from an ultimate life source, permeated my presence, granting me perfect serenity.
I felt all the blurry beauty of nostalgia, but it was real.
27 Comments
Lovely, very awe inspiring. heres a song by Jem that makes you think of amazing places, its called ‘Once in every lifetime’ and was on the credits of that film Eragon about the dragons. its very beautiful and helps me write allot. i love your writing Evan and lots of other people do to! this sites the best!
This is one of the best stories i have ever read, it gave me an enlightening and blissful emotional feelings while reading all its lines.. how i wish more stories to be told to the young ones so they could aesthetically appreciated the beauty of the gift of life ... many thanks bye for now….
It would be better if the young ones recieved better stimulli than the one they currently do. Disney is no longer imaginative, they are walking more towards the commercial path rather than to the magic the once had… This world is slowly being pulled into darkness… At least those who are now 13 and older had some “healthy education” (at least it wasn’t that evil)... What will become of the world when those kids whose tender minds are constantly bombarded with empty messages grow up and there is no more imaginaton? They are only the “source” of money for many industries… It´s so sad… Add to that the irresponsibility and carelessness from parents and we’ll have a really frightening result *shudder* O_O|||... (and I got carried away again ¬¬U)
Roxas, I know how you feel. I’m reading a biography about Walt Disney - one of my heroes - now, and it was a constant struggle of his to maintain the artistic integrity of his films. Since he passed on, there has been a lot of conflict in the company between those who want to keep his vision and those who prefer to succumb to commercialism. I liked the older films much better.
I think the answer may be in a new wave of smaller companies that foster creativity and exploration in a purer way. I am trying to do that myself (not sure if you knew that I own of the biggest kids websites online), though the process of doing so is complex. But I am certain I will succeed in creating a place that is a haven for children, where they can be safe and also express their own original visions without too much imagination-limiting interference from adult forces.
The issue is very close to me - thanks for your comment.
:D hiya! i’ve magically stumbled on your site and somehow i feel very relieved. since i was little i’ve strived to keep on going with my imagination world. was told infinite times that i needed to grow up [i remember one incident clearly with my father where i got to the point of crying and just staring at what passed through the car window]... um, well… some comments and then to my point…
before reading some of your articles i felt permanently stuck in my childhood, but after, i felt such a relief. it has answered me on lots of levels. like why i’m 22 and have never bothered with boys. i’d rather sink into books and my drawings!! i’m also happy i chose graphic design as my major, as it allows my dreamish world to keep breathing, i must say i’ve had struggles with teachers who don’t like my stuff, but i keep on going.
ahem… well :D my so called point is… thank you!!! it’s nice to know there’s support out there.
and i’d also like to add this… do you also think our magical places can involve our magical people? when i feel troubled or just a bit uncomfortable, i like thinking of this being. a sort of boy mixed with wolf features. when i need a hug he’s there, when i wake up to go to uni he’s there too. and through my most happy and painful moments, he’s the best i have to go on.
Mine is a Aslan from Narnia. I believe in God, therefore, I like to think he is a mighty lion always beside me to look after me and protect me from harm and even from myself… It’s nice to know mine is real!!! XDD
PD: if you all havent read The Chonicles of Narnia, I strongly suggest you do. It’s such a beautiful collection of books and, well… C.S Lewis was a christian and tried to picture God and Jesus as Aslan, which makes it even b better!!
All I can say is WOW. That was so deep. I mean, I couldn’t and/or can’t write that without a thesaurus or dictionary! lol….....anyway you a good writer. Rock on.
P.S. This column rox my sox!!!!= D
That really is beautiful ...
I really like all of your writings. It’s not quite often I read a very thoughtful and honest writings from a man (please, do accept my apologize, I have no intention on being a gender bias).
By the way, I wrote an article about peter pan syndrome myself, too bad we don’t have many reliable sources here in Indonesia. But, your writings kinda help me out to understand a bit of what most men think about being an adult.
Thank you so much for these writings. If you don’t mind sharing your email, it would been a very pleasure for me.
It was so…beautiful
Wow, wonderful - thanks Evan Bailyn for this blog 
Yeah, Disney is kind of going grown up on everyone…Princess Diaries, Highschool Musical,Hannah Montana. Boy! I don’t know what you all think about these, but I think that they’re unoriginal, unimaginative, and uninspiring. I love Narnia, Lord of The Rings, Wrinkle in Time, Faerie Wars, etc. My family is really into the classics, which may be why I’m so opinionated on this subject, but, really guys, I think that the older books (mostly, not all) and movies (as before) are so much better. I have this great picture in my head of a place that I call “Also This”. It has waterfalls, and all of the components of every great fantasy movie and book that I’ve read! Thanks so much, Evan, for this blog. Its really great to know that I’m not alone in the world! Have you ever thought of putting all of this stuff into a book? I think that it would be really great for us pps’rs!!!!Thank you!!!
Thank you so much for this blog, Evan! You are the best writer that I’ve ever come across! You seem to understand me, even though you have no idea who I am. Have you ever thought of putting your writing off of this site into a book? It would be awesome! Just what people need!!!!!!!
Thanks again, Evan!
CAN SOMEONE PLEASE BLOG?
I -really- enjoy reading your blog. The energy that comes through in your writing is very kindred and I love that you celebrate and embrace the spirit of childhood as an adult. It’s my core philosophy and this is such an intrinsic part of my nature.
Keep up the wonderful writings. I would like to link your site on my blog if you don’t mind
Here here! Yeah, Allyson, I know how you feel! Staying young is very important, especcially nowadays, when the world is so insane! Thanks for blogging! Have you ever read/watched the Chronicles of Narnia? I’ve always felt that it’s a real place, and, since I have the CD’s, I get swept into it. It is really quite magical.
It’s beautiful. Your thoughts gave me an enlightening feeling. Thanks for sharing.
please help me i need help they want me to grow up but i wont i wont! i cant grow up and they are trying to make me please help it hurts trying to grow up please help pleASE I NEED HELP PLEASE I AM NEVER GROWING UP BUT THEY ARE MAKING ME!
Calm down… Count to 10, etc. You can retain your inner youth even if you mature. I think it’s important to mature to be able to face harder situations, but you can still be child-like. Maturing hurts, that’s a fact, but it doesn’t meanit will kill your youth; they are separate parts of you. As long as you still want to retain your youth, you wont lose it. Remember, we must be childLIKE, not childISH; childish attitudes are selfish, while childlike ones are innocent and well… what we cherish.
Just hang on. Maturing hurts, but it neither kill you or your inner youth.
That is why I never feel lonely on Christmas, whether I am alone or not. I realized long ago that the only person who ever made me feel alone was me. Therefore, the only person who could make me feel secure and happy was me.
Your story was lovely. Thank you.
Thanks Roxas! I was sort of going through a rough time, what with a family friend dying, etc. Thanks alot for your encouragement
NP. Sorry about your family’s friend…
On the subject of Disney. My favourite ever movie is Disney’s: Peter Pan. I saw it with my Mum in the 1970’s at the cinema in the UK. He is now my hero. I have this idea (and a kind of hope) that there is a blissful kind of Never-Never-Land for those who refuse the adult world that is to be accessed after passing away. Or maybe a kind of Disneyworld without the cash. I think there are different Heavens for different people. We all have differing beliefs and needs in this life so why not in Heaven too? I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. But there’s no harm in hoping in the mean time. As I’ve said elsewhere, I have had a dream of Heaven. Any child (or child-wannabe) would have loved it there. Time will tell.
Hi Evan i must say the story reminds me of my child hood days in kashmir India and all the snow covered mountains and the valley its awesome…i enjoy reading ur blog..please keep writing
This is truly innovative, knowledge-providing and insightful information. Thanks lots.
Wow, that was amazing. I stumbled across this site as I was searching Peter Pan Syndrome and this site was mentioned on an online blog. However, venturing through it, I have been very impressed. Reading your essays really takes your mind away from the real world. Takes you away from the endless day-to-day troubles and gives you a warmth feeling inside.
Your writing is truely inspiring. You really do make me want to magically turn 7 years old again. In reminiscence to the film Big, where he wishes to be big, if I had a wish..I would wish to be Small again!
*clap*clap* Beautiful. That´s what I´d call God.