Oswald & The Dream Eater
A short story by Tamassia Martins
In a small town called Whimsywick, nestled between reality and imagination, children whispered about a creature, a “monster” called The Dream Eater,
All the unimaginative and boring parents in Whimsywick cautioned their children to “sleep tight but don’t dare to dream, for if you dream, The Dream Eater will come and feast on your dreams.”
Shadows under the bed and eerie silhouettes behind curtains made the kids of Whymsywick believe that the monster lurked nearby, hungry for their hopes and aspirations, ready to pounce if they had even started to dream.
Scared of The Dream Eater, the Children were silent, well-behaved, and followed the rules, fearing the monster would come if they dreamed.
All children in this small town lived most of their lives without a single dream, all but one Oswald Luminaer. Oswald was the only boy brave enough to dream and for that, he was a sort of outcast amongst most children in Whimsywick.
Stories of The Dream Eater haunted the town, but no one ever stopped to realize that this “Dream Eater” was a monster no one had ever seen nor encountered, only ever feared.
“It was better this way,” the parents told their children, “if you never dream, you will never meet the monster.”
The creature remained a scary myth, until one evening, as the twilight hues merged with the velvety darkness of the night, the little boy named Oswald lay in his bed.
Tears dampened Oswald’s pillow as he replayed the harsh mockery he’d been subject to earlier that day.
“All for what?” he thought to himself. “All for a stupid and silly dream!” Oswald punched his pillow.
He had poured all his heart and all his time into building a rocket, symbolizing his dream to one day reach the stars. A dream that Oswald dreamt of every day.
See, the stars weren’t just a dream, they felt like home to Oswald. He often felt as if he was out of place in a small and boring town like Whimsywick, he belonged elsewhere.
Earlier that day it was Science Day at school, and at last, Oswald was ready to launch his rocket into the sky. The rocket he had spent so much time building, the rocket that one day would bring him home.
But when the rocket failed to launch, all the children’s laughter echoed louder than the explosion of disappointment in Oswald’s little heart.
It hurt so much that, that day, Oswald walked away from school, leaving the leftover rummage of his dream, the busted rocket, in the trash.
He had given up his dream.
“I guess I do belong in this stupid town,” he thought to himself.
The room was silent, as he lay in his bed recalling the children making fun of him. Completely silent except for the rhythmic ticking of the clock and Oswald’s stifled sobs.
But then, Oswald’s thoughts were interrupted by a gentle rustling sound that emerged, followed by a padded thud and a soft, almost melodious voice, “Why do you cry, Oswald?”
Oswald’s eyes widened as he looked up and saw a magnificent, ethereal, and harry creature hovering beside his bed. It had shimmering eyes and arms so big that they seemed they could hold the universe within them.
“You’re the… Dream Eater?” Oswald stuttered, pulling his blanket closer.
The creature nodded. “Indeed, I am. But I am not here to harm. I sensed a dream dying, and I came to see.”
Oswald wiped his tears, “you know my name?” he asked.
“Of course I know your name,” replied the towering Dream Eater, “you’re the only dreamer in this town.” he said.
Oswald looked at the monster for a minute and suddenly he felt safe. “My dream didn’t just die; it was splattered into a million pieces by the laughs of my friends. I’m never going to reach the stars ever.”
The Dream Eater tilted its head, listening intently. “You see, young dreamer, I feed on dreams, but not in the way you’ve been told. I thrive on their vitality and strength. When dreams fade, I feel hunger, and when they’re snuffed out, a part of me starves.”
Oswald gazed at the creature, absorbing his words. “So, you’re hungry because I’ve stopped dreaming?”
“Precisely,” the Dream Eater nodded. “Dreams are the food for my soul. And whenever someone like you, a real dreamer, doubts their dreams or gives up on them, it makes me hungry.”
Owald’s face turned thoughtful. “But my dream was mocked. How do I keep dreaming when everyone laughed at me and saw me fail?
The Dream Eater leaned closer, placing his giant paw-like hand on soflty Oswald’s little shoulder. “Dreams never stop. It is only you who stops dreaming.” he explained, “Dreams are your soul’s compass. If you let others dictate their direction, you’ll lose your way. Remember, dreams are personal. They belong to you; only you can create them, give up on them, or decide to continue dreaming.”
Oswald took a deep breath, “So if I keep dreaming, not only will I reach the stars one day, but you’ll also be fed and happy?”
The creature smiled, “Yes. Your dreams nourish me and, in turn, the world. For every dream realized is a star added to the universe’s vastness.”
With a renewed determination, Oswald sat tall and nodded positively. “Alright, Dream Eater. I’ll dream. I’ll dream bigger and brighter, no matter what anyone says. And no one will ever stop me again!”
The Dream Eater beamed, his two big eyes lit up like car headlights, “That’s the spirit! And remember, every time you feel lost or ridiculed, close your eyes and dream. I’ll be there, cheering you on.”
With that, The Dream Eater faded into the shadows, leaving a room illuminated by hope and a boy ready to conquer the stars.
That night, Oswald slept and dreamt that one day, he’d reach the stars on the rocket that he had built.
The end.