My late grandfather, a master storyteller who spun tales of buried treasure, left me a rather unexpected inheritance: a dusty old apiary. It felt like a cruel joke at first. Who would leave their grandchild a shack swarming with bees? My resentment lingered until the day I finally ventured into the beehives.
One typical morning, Aunt Daphne urged me to pack my bag for school, but I was too busy texting a friend about the upcoming dance and my crush, Scott. When she mentioned my grandfather’s dreams for me, my frustration grew. I had no interest in tending to his bees; I just wanted to enjoy my teenage life.
The next day, Aunt Daphne chastised me for my neglect, threatening to ground me. She insisted that caring for the apiary was part of my responsibility. Despite my protests, I reluctantly agreed to check on the hives. Donning protective gear, I opened the first hive, my heart racing. A bee stung my glove, and for a moment, I considered quitting. But a rush of determination took over, and I pressed on, hoping to show Aunt Daphne I could handle this.
While harvesting honey, I discovered a weathered plastic bag containing a faded map. Excited, I tucked it into my pocket and raced home to grab my bike. Following the map, I pedaled into the woods, recalling my grandfather’s stories that had once enchanted me.
I found myself in a clearing resembling a scene from one of his tales—the old gamekeeper’s house stood before me, decaying but still captivating. Memories flooded back of lazy afternoons spent there, listening to his stories. Touching the gnarled tree nearby, I recalled his playful warnings about the gnomes that supposedly lurked in the woods.
Inside the forgotten cabin, I uncovered a beautifully carved metal box. Inside was a note from Grandpa: “To my dear Robyn, this box contains a treasure for you, but do not open it until your journey’s true end” Though tempted, I knew I had to honor his wishes.
After exploring further, I realized I was lost and panic set in. Remembering Grandpa’s advice to stay calm, I pressed on, searching for a familiar path. Eventually, I stumbled upon the bridge he often spoke of, but it felt further away than I had hoped. Exhausted and disoriented, I collapsed beneath a tree, longing for home.
The next morning, determined to find my way, I recalled Grandpa’s lessons as I navigated through the wilderness. I found a river but was startled when I slipped into the icy water. Fighting against the current, I finally managed to cling to a log, eventually dragging myself to shore.
Soaked and trembling, I rummaged through my backpack, only to find stale crumbs. When I remembered Grandpa’s wisdom, I used healing leaves for my cuts and continued onward, drawn by the sound of rushing water. I finally reached the river again, but the water was treacherous. Desperate, I knelt to drink, but the current swept me away, and I found myself struggling against the powerful flow.
Determined not to give up, I let go of my backpack but clung to the metal box. With sheer will, I fought my way to the bank, finally escaping the icy grasp of the river. I needed shelter, so I built a makeshift one from branches under a sturdy oak tree.
The next morning, I set out once more, the metal box feeling like my only lifeline. Memories of fishing trips with Grandpa warmed me, urging me forward. When I finally spotted the bridge, hope surged within me. But the forest began to close in around me, confusion and despair threatening to overwhelm me. Just when I thought I couldn’t go on, I found a clearing and collapsed, utterly spent.
Then, I heard voices calling my name. I awoke in a hospital bed with Aunt Daphne by my side. Overcome with regret, I apologized for everything. She comforted me, reminding me of Grandpa’s unconditional love and how he always believed in me.
As she reached into her bag, my heart raced when I recognized the familiar blue wrapping paper. It was an Xbox, a gift from Grandpa, meant to be given only when I understood the value of hard work. I realized then that I had learned that lesson, and the desire for the gift faded.
In the following years, I grew into my responsibilities, embracing the lessons my grandfather imparted. Now, as a mother myself, I reflect on those moments with gratitude. The sweet honey from my bees serves as a cherished reminder of the bond I shared with Grandpa, a bond that continues to guide me.
How Indian Women Manage To Preserve Their Beauty Long After Their Youth
The lifestyle of Indian women is established at a young age. They have their own way of keeping their beauty natural and healthy, having learned it as kids. With their organic foods and positive beliefs, they are full of knowledge about natural beauty and what helps to bring out the best in the body to look youthful at any age.
Here at Bright Side, we learned how Indian women preserve their beauty long after their youth, and we’re rushing to share their secrets with all of you.
Their local food plays a big part in staying young.
Spices, which are prevalent in Indian cuisine, have several beneficial effects on our health, including anti-aging properties. Most specifically, chili peppers may decrease changes that happen in skin cells over time, while ginger may prevent age spots.
Certain natural ingredients help boost their skincare.
An important part of their skincare is turmeric, an anti-inflammatory that’s said to be beneficial for skin health and to help grant users a natural glow. It can also possibly help with psoriasis and acne scarring.
They believe beauty starts from the inside.
Stress can take a huge toll on the person’s aging process. Not only does it compromise our bodies from within, but also leaves marks on our faces in the form of wrinkles. One way of dealing with anxiety is meditation. India is one of the oldest countries that practice meditation, which may help women fight stress and, as a result, preserve their youth.
They use a lot of organic hair products.
Hair-oiling, or massaging oil into hair, is a traditional practice for women in India that typically starts when girls are very young. Different oils can be used, like coconut, sesame, or castor oil. The latter is especially helpful as it contains omega-6 fatty acids. Amla, an Indian gooseberry, is also used in the belief it treats hair loss.
Have you ever tried any of the above? Do you have any other beauty tricks of your own? Share them with us in the comments.
Please note: This article was updated in June 2021 to correct source material and factual inaccuracies.
Preview photo credit Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images, Hindustan Times/Hindustan Times/Getty Images
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