Amid the steel and glass skyscrapers of the bustling city, the noise and speed could overwhelm any country heart. Yet today, on a small patch of green tucked away between high rises, sat Dorothy Gale from Kansas, her ruby slippers glinting in the sunlight, a stark contrast to her surroundings.
Dorothy watched the city dwellers rush by, each absorbed in the tempo of urban life. Among them was a young woman, Anna, whose eyes seemed lost and weary as she trudged through the crowd, clutching a map of the city like a lifeline. Spotting the out-of-place figure of Dorothy, curiosity overcame her, and she approached the bench.
“Excuse me, are you lost?” Anna asked, noting the old-fashioned gingham dress and the out-of-place sparkling shoes.
Dorothy smiled warmly. “I don’t think so. Sometimes, it’s the other way around; maybe the city is a bit lost, or maybe we all are, from time to time. What about you, dear? You seem a bit overwhelmed by this big, bustling place.”
Anna sighed, sitting beside Dorothy. “I moved here for college. I thought it would be exciting, but I just feel so… small here. I miss home.”
Dorothy nodded understandingly. “I once found myself in a place completely unlike home. It was scary at first, but it taught me something important—there’s no place like home, yes, but ‘home’ can be more about feeling than a place.”
The gentle wisdom in Dorothy’s voice soothed Anna. “How did you deal with being in such a strange place?” she asked.
“With a little help from my friends, and by finding courage I never knew I had,” Dorothy explained, her eyes twinkling. “You might not have a yellow brick road, but you have your own path to follow. And remember, every big city, no matter how vast, can feel like home if you find the right corners and the right friends.”
Encouraged by Dorothy’s words, Anna looked around at the park, noticing for the first time the small details—the flowers blooming stubbornly between the tiles, the laughter of children playing nearby, the cozy café across the street. Maybe, she thought, she could find her ‘home’ here, one small piece at a time.
As they parted ways, Dorothy gave Anna a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “Just click those heels, metaphorically speaking, and remember, you’re stronger than you think. And if ever you feel lost, look inside yourself—that’s where you’ll find the way back to wherever you call home.”
Anna walked away with a newfound sense of belonging, her steps lighter than they had been in weeks, her heart a little fuller. Dorothy watched her go, her mission accomplished, her heart content in the knowledge that she had helped another find her way.