LIVING IN A CAGE

    I spent a lot of time living in a big and comfortable castle. There, I felt safe—so safe, it became my home. When I used to look out of the window, I saw a beautiful garden with so many paths, each one leading to an uncertain and unexpected ending. Nothing compares to what was expected of me in my safe place in the world. There were no sudden shocks here, let alone unforeseen endings; even though there were times when I could feel it staggering a little bit, I was so used to being there that I would not mind it.

          

    Every time I stood up close to the window to look at the garden, I would deeply feel like getting out of there, but each time I would see the door, I thought it would be difficult—almost impossible—to get it opened. That door looked like it was heavy and locked. Having it opened would not be an easy job, and if I was able to unlock it, being as heavy as it seemed, trying to move it would be another impossible thing to do. Until one day, the wind came blowing so hard that it staggered all around me.

           

    I was so used to the wind blowing and shaking everything a little bit, but this time was different. This wind rocked my whole world. Everything around me started to crumble away. I always thought that the columns holding my castle were made of steel; however, in reality, they were nothing but crystal. All of a sudden, the floor started to become fragile and unsteady. There was just one way out: that heavy and locked door. If I wanted to stay alive, I would have to open it. I could not believe that my safe place in the world was crumbling away right in front of my eyes. This place, which always seemed stable, was letting me see its real face.

            

    This place was nothing but a little unstable cage, which I was accustomed to living in. The hard blowing of the wind made me push against the door. When I got out of there, it was a huge surprise. The door had never been locked. It had always been opened; I did not realize it before. I always thought that getting out of there would be very difficult; perhaps I would never make it, but the heavy storm gave me no other option: either I have that door opened or I die. When I turned around to see it, it was not really as big as I thought. Also, the door was lighter than what I had imagined, and once out there, I knew it. I realized I would never be able to live behind bars. My world changed as I opened up my mind to the abstract.

           
    I thought I knew everything, but the more I learn, the more I realize there is a lot more left for me to get to know yet. The more I walk, the more I discover there is so much more left to travel, and the more I see around, I find myself surprised even more.