The Dream

Smudge was on a mission. That’s right. Smudge was really going places, and the world was his oyster. And Biscuit’s—obviously. Biscuit was Smudge’s dog, and Biscuit insisted on being mentioned in all important announcements. Absolutely nothing could stop them now. The adventure had begun. The winds of destiny were calling. The path was unfolding.

Sort of.

Well… actually, no. Not quite.

Smudge and Biscuit were still sitting on the doorstep of their house. They hadn’t gone anywhere at all. Not even one teeny, tiny step. In fact, they’d probably gone backwards slightly, as Smudge was now leaning with his back against the door. Biscuit hadn’t even finished his breakfast biscuit—although Smudge had definitely finished his.

But soon—oh boy—were they going places. Great big, wondrous places. Magical places. Places that made Smudge burst with excitement. The only problem was that they didn’t know exactly where. Not precisely. Not exactly on a map.

“How,” you may be wondering, “can they know where they’re going and also… not?” Well, let me explain.

Smudge had seen something. He had seen it in a dream. Not just any dream—the Dream.

It was a place, a vision… a home-but-not-a-home. It was the Sanctuary of Symmetry.

Its whole essence seemed to breathe and shimmer—a perfect balance of light and life. Tall arches and steady pillars rose in quiet harmony. Round windows caught the light like moons. Across the walls, patterns curled and unfolded—circles within circles, spirals that seemed to turn without end, and glowing shapes Smudge didn’t have names for.

Smudge had never seen anything like it in his life. Not in books, not in the forest, not even in cloud shapes (and Smudge was an expert cloud-watcher).

However, the Dream hadn’t exactly come with directions. No map. No guide. No signpost pointing: THIS WAY TO MYSTICAL TEMPLE. All Smudge had was a feeling inside—a feeling so big and bright it filled his chest like warm sunshine.

He knew he had to get there, and he knew for sure that he would. He could see it. He could see himself and Biscuit sitting on the steps of the Sanctuary. He could see it all, plain as day right in front of him—not with his eyes, but with his heart and mind.

And for Smudge, that was enough. More than enough.