An Enchanting Journey

Nestled snugly between two small hills near Darjeeling, the village of Kolbong exudes charm with its quaint cottages adorned with frosted sills and chimney smoke spiralling into the crisp winter night.

A soft carpet of snow blanketed the cobblestone streets, muffling every sound and turning the world into a hushed, magical haven.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of pink and lavender, the village glowed with the first stars of the evening. Street lamps flickered to life, casting a warm, golden glow that danced upon the snow-covered ground.

The air was tinged with the scent of pine, and the distant sound of laughter echoed from the villagers, bundled in scarves and mittens, enjoying the enchanting evening in the central marketplace.

In the heart of Kolbong, in a cosy cottage with a thatched roof and frosted windows, young Elsa sat by on a high chair, gazing out through the small windowpane.

The window framed a picturesque scene of winter wonder. Icicles hung like crystal chandeliers, and the moon cast long shadows over the snowdrifts.

Elsa’s breath created a fog on the windowpane. As she traced patterns with her finger, her imagination took flight.

Despite the chill in the air, the beauty of the winter evening warmed her heart.

She felt a connection to the enchanting world beyond her window - a world where magic danced in every snowflake.

The snowflakes fell gently from the sky, each one forming its unique design. As they landed, they formed a snow blanket, turning the landscape into a shimmering tapestry of white.

The village seemed to be wrapped in a cocoon of silence, broken only by the occasional honk of a distant vehicle or the laughter of children engaged in a game.

In this serene moment, a soft, melodic hum echoed throughout the room. Elsa sat watching the beauty of the winter from her window.

Elsa’s eyes widened with wonder as a radiant figure materialized at the gate of her home—a fairy adorned in a gown of glittering ice and snowflakes. The figure was wearing a shimmering gown with stars adorning her dress.

Involuntarily, Elsa pushed her face closer to the windowpane and called out, waving her hand to draw her attention.

The figure noticed her and waved back. She beckoned Elsa to come down to the gate.

‘I think she is a fairy godmother visiting homes today. How I wish I could run down and welcome her!’ Elsa thought wistfully, looking down at her foot.

‘How do I tell her…..’

Suddenly, her room brightened with a warm golden hue. The walls were adorned with snowflake-shaped ornaments that twinkled with a soft, ethereal light.

Elsa’s eyes sparkled with wonder as she watched her bare room transform into a magical scene.

‘Greetings Dear Elsa! I am Gwendolyn,’ the beautiful lady spoke in a voice delicate and soft like snow.

‘Are you a fairy?’ Elsa asked, mesmerised by finding the fairy in the room.’

‘I am a snow princess. I’ve come to share a magical tale with you.’ The voice answered.

She wore a gown woven from snowflakes, and her hair sparkled like icicles in the moonlight.

The room seemed to brighten with her presence, and a sense of warmth embraced Elsa.

‘Come, let’s experience the magic of this beautiful night,’ the snow princess spoke.

Elsa did not wish to spoil the magic of the moment by informing her she couldn’t walk and could not join her in the snow.

‘Hurry! Wear these magic shoes I have got for you,’ the princess told and held out a pair of shoes.

Elsa stared at the shoes the fairy held. It was a beautifully carved sandal made of transparent ice. A blue ribbon with white roses adorned them. Star-shaped snowflakes shimmered on them.

‘So beautiful. Are they Cinderella’s shoes?’ Elsa asked.

The fairy laughed softly. Her tinkling laughter was musical to hear.

‘No, my dear Elsa. These are your shoes. Come. Wear and I will take you on a magical trip and show you the places where I was born.’

As in a dream, Elsa wore the shoes. It fitted her perfectly.

Gwen, the snow princess, swirled a wand and, hey! Presto! Elsa found herself attired in a white shimmering dress.

Holding Elsa’s hand, the princess gently flew down through the window to the snow-laden garden.

‘How did I jump out of the window when I can’t even walk?’ Elsa wondered, noticing the multi-coloured wings that held her when she glided down from the window.

The snow princess then transported Elsa to her birthplace, a celestial world where the lights painted the sky in various hues beyond imagination.

‘As the snow spirits celebrated my birth, they gifted me the ability to create winter wonders. Together, we sculpted landscapes of ice and snow, turning the world into a place of enchantment.’

‘The moon blessed me with its gentle glow, and the stars wove their radiant threads into my hair. The very essence of winter, the chill in the air, the frost on the leaves, all of it became a part of me.’

‘My gown is spun from the frost-kissed whispers of the north wind, and my eyes sparkle with the reflections of a thousand snowflakes. The snow spirits blessed me the gift of spreading joy and wonder wherever I go.’

‘Other ice princesses also weaved intricate patterns in frozen lakes, and the snow sprites created delicate sculptures that sparkled in the moonlight. The polar bears and majestic reindeer would join in the festivities, creating a harmonious symphony of winter joy.’

As Elsa listened to the snow princess story, she experienced a mesmerizing journey through a world where winter was not just a season but a magical world. The snow princess’s words painted a picture of a world where the magic of winter wasn’t bound by time or space.

‘My purpose is to spread the enchantment of winter, to remind the world of the beauty that lies in the cold and the magical wonders that unfold with the falling snow.’

With those words, the snow princess shared visions of snow-covered landscapes, dazzling ice castles, and mystical creatures that thrived in the winter wonderland.

‘It must be so beautiful to always live in this enchanting world,’ Elsa spoke with a tinge of envy.

As Gwen shared her story, she noticed the longing in Elsa’s eyes. She gently touched Elsa’s hand and whispered, ‘Dear Elsa, though your body may be confined, your spirit is free to soar. Your dreams can take you to places where the magic knows no bounds.’

As the magical story unfolded, Elsa discovered the strength within her to overcome the challenges she faced. 

The tale reminded Elsa that even in the coldest of times, warmth could be found within.

Elsa felt a surge of inspiration, realizing that her imagination could be her wings, carrying her to places her body couldn’t.

‘Elsa dear. Come, let me put you to bed,’ her mummy spoke as she entered the room.

With a twirl, the snow princess bid farewell, leaving behind a room filled with the lingering glow of winter magic.

Elsa, now empowered by the enchanting tale, gazed out of her window with renewed determination. 

The winter outside mirrored the magical world she had just experienced, and in that moment, she knew her dreams could transcend the boundaries of her room.

Peeping out, she saw the snow princess waving goodbye and flying across her home.

As the snow continued to fall outside, Elsa embraced the winter magic within her heart, ready to embark on her enchanting journey.