Don’t touch that, Tehila! Mr. Johnson warned, but before he could finish, Tehila had already reached out and touched the shining pearl on the table. In an instant, she disappeared.Tehila, a fifteen-year-old girl known for her insatiable curiosity, had never been one to heed warnings. She loved to touch and explore everything she came across, convinced that learning came from hands-on experience. But her adventurous spirit often led her to ignore rules, believing she was discovering new things even if she had it entirely wrong.
The pearl, a mysterious family treasure, had been kept safe for generations, passed down with great reverence. It was said to be found in the deepest part of the forest during a time of chaos in the village of Amu. The village elders believed the pearl had powers that repelled the alien forces that had once terrorized their land. To protect its power, strict rituals were performed before anyone could touch it. In Tehila’s family, the pearl was considered almost sacred a protector that no one dared disturb without permission.Where on earth is Tehila? Mr. Johnson cried out in distress. What will I tell Christabel about her whereabouts?
As Tehila’s uncle and the guardian of the pearl, Mr. Johnson was responsible for its safekeeping. Now, with Tehila missing, he was gripped with fear and guilt.How will I bring her back?Meanwhile, Tehila found herself in a dark, ominous forest. The air was thick with silence, broken only by the howling wind. She looked around, disoriented and frightened. Where am I? she whispered, her voice trembling. Why is everything so dark and scary? I only touched the pearl! she cried out, but her voice faded into the vast emptiness.As she stumbled through the woods, she realized she couldn’t see a single ray of light.
Every step was a challenge as she kept tripping over roots and rocks. I should have listened to everyone, she muttered, exhausted and filled with regret. My stubbornness brought me here.Two days passed, and Mr. Johnson finally informed the family of Tehila’s disappearance. Where is my daughter? Christabel, Tehila’s mother, screamed, her voice filled with a mix of anger and despair.She touched the pearl and… vanished, Mr. Johnson confessed, his voice breaking.What?! everyone gasped.I warned her about the pearl so many times, Christabel choked out.It’s alright, Johnson, but why hide it from us? asked Sara, a woman in her late fifties, her face lined with worry.I don’t know how to bring her back, Mr. Johnson admitted, his voice barely a whisper.In the forest, Tehila was exhausted, regret flooding her thoughts.
If I could go back, I would listen. I’d do everything differently, she murmured to herself, sobbing. She was desperate, weak, and filled with apologies, pleading into the dark, I’m sorry! I’ll always listen. I won’t be disobedient again.Suddenly, a bright light appeared, cutting through the darkness.
Mustering the last of her strength, Tehila crawled toward it. In a flash, she found herself back in her family’s living room. She looked around, disoriented but relieved. Her family, shocked and startled, rushed out of the room in fear before they realized it was really her.It’s me, Tehila, she said weakly. She shared her terrifying experience in the dark forest and apologized to everyone for her disobedience.In the weeks that followed, Tehila resumed her explorations but with a newfound respect for rules and boundaries. With her uncle’s encouragement, she documented her experience and wrote her first book, The Shining Pearl: A Journey into Darkness.
Twenty years later, her story remained a cautionary tale in the family, a reminder that curiosity is a gift, but respect is essential for wisdom.
