by Ritvikraj Singh, 14
On Christmas Day, a cute little baby was born to a lovely couple, Georgia and Haris. They were overjoyed, but there was one thing that worried them: how would they raise him well when they were poor and lived on the outskirts of Paris, France? Since their child was born on Christmas Day, they named him Noel (the French word for Christmas). Both worked hard, day and night, to give him a good life.
Noel grew up to be a handsome young boy, humble in nature and brimming with imagination. His creativity often took him to far-off places, exploring worlds only he could see. Yet, his parents, though loving, urged him to leave his imaginary world behind and focus on practical matters like his future career.
But Noel’s mind had always been pulled in a different direction. Since childhood, he had been plagued by a recurring dream—an unseen force drawing him toward the North Pole, whispering of a hidden treasure of immense power, tied to the teachings of Jesus Christ. It was a dream that never let him go, a dream that felt too real to ignore.
As time passed, his desire to uncover the truth behind the dream grew stronger. Finally, with courage building in his heart, he knew he had to share this with his parents.
One evening, with a deep breath, Noel sat down with his parents. “Mom, Dad,” he began, his voice a mixture of excitement and uncertainty, “there’s something I’ve been feeling … something inside me keeps telling me to go to the North Pole. I don’t fully understand why yet, but I promise you, once I find the truth, I’ll share it with you.”
His parents were terrified, unwilling to risk losing their only son. Yet, after much pleading, they reluctantly agreed.
He meticulously researched the North Pole and quickly realized the dangers that lay ahead: an unpredictable, remote environment where only the well-prepared could survive. The harsh conditions—extreme cold, unpredictable ice shifts, and relentless storms—would require extraordinary skill and endurance. With no rescue teams or infrastructure, one mistake could be fatal.
Upon learning about the dangers of his quest, his parents insisted him to undergo rigorous training to master survival skills. After all, he was a young boy embarking on a journey alone, unaware of the many challenges he might face. He trained in ice walking, to protect himself from wild polar bears, to navigate shifting ice and braving chilling winds, and he learned to build an ice shelter.
After days of intense training, his parents equipped him with all the essentials—first aid supplies, important medications, food, and water. Given the remote, isolated nature of his destination, there would be no nearby rescue teams, hospitals, or infrastructure to provide help in case of emergency.
The next day, with a heavy heart, Noel stood at the doorstep, his parents clutching him tightly. His mother, tears in her eyes, whispered, “Promise me you’ll be careful, Noel. You are our world.” His father, his voice thick with emotion, added, “We’re proud of you, son. But remember, no treasure is worth your life.” With one last embrace, Noel stepped out into the cold morning, unsure if he would ever return.
Determined, he set out to the venture to find Jesus Christ’s long-lost treasure.
With days of hardship, battling blizzards and snowstorms, narrowly escaping polar bears, and suffering numerous wounds, his fingers and feet had frozen stiff and numb. Exhausted from endless days of walking he felt weak ,his body drained of energy yet his focus remained unshaken. With unwavering faith in God, he refused to give up hope.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Noel reached the heart of the North Pole—a vast, desolate place that only grew colder as he ventured further. And then, he saw it—a large cave, its mouth hidden by the falling snow.
“I feel it’s here,” he whispered, barely able to believe it. Inside, he found an uprooted tree with the words “DEEP INSIDE” carved into its trunk.
Noel wasted no time he dug tirelessly for hours, without a sip of water, until a golden chest filled with gold emerged from the earth. He was both surprised and elated. It was the treasure—the very treasure from his dreams! He couldn’t believe his eyes. Elation filled him, mixed with disbelief. He had done it.
But just as he reached out to claim the treasure, the ground trembled beneath his feet. With a deafening roar, a fierce snow monster erupted from the earth. Its massive form towered above him, its eyes glowing with fury. Noel’s heart raced, and fear gripped him. His lips went pale, and his body trembled uncontrollably.
For a moment, he froze—unsure if he should run or fight. But then, a surge of determination washed over him. “I can’t let this long-awaited dream go to waste.”
Determined, Noel grabbed the golden chest and sprinted for the cave’s entrance, the monster close on his heels. His breath came in desperate gasps as the snowstorm howled around him, the wind biting at his face. Suddenly, he tripped, falling hard into the snow.
Before he could rise, the creature’s massive arms wrapped around him, lifting him off the ground. He struggled, panic rising in his chest, but just as the creature opened its jaws to crush him, Noel saw his chance. He still clutched a snowball in his hand—with all the strength he could muster, he hurled it at the monster’s eyes.
It struck true. The monster howled in pain and fury, giving Noel just enough time. With a powerful kick, he broke free from its grip and fled into the snowstorm, narrowly escaping its wrath.
As he stumbled through the blinding storm, trying to steady his breath, Noel suddenly heard a voice—a deep, resonant voice, more powerful than any wind or roar.
“Noel, you are my messenger. You were sent here to recover this treasure. It is for you, your family, and all those in need. Always help the poor with this never-ending treasure. “
Noel froze, his heart pounding in his chest. The voice was clear and filled with such divine authority that he could hardly comprehend it. Tears welled up in his eyes as the weight of the words sank in. Shock and awe flooded through him, but above all, there was an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
He fell to his knees in the snow, trembling, as he whispered a prayer of thanks to God for guiding him. “Thank You, Lord. Thank You for this mission.”
With the treasure in his hands, Noel made his way back home. His journey had been long and painful, but it was nothing compared to the gift he now carried. When he arrived, his parents were overjoyed to see him back safe, their faces lighting up with relief and love. They embraced him tightly, knowing their son had not only survived but had fulfilled a greater purpose than they could ever have imagined.
Noel dedicated the treasure to those less fortunate, using it to aid the poor and spread kindness wherever he could. His name became known far and wide, not just for the treasure he had discovered, but for the way he used it to help others. He became known as the Messenger of Jesus Christ, his heart filled with a mission to serve those in need for the rest of his days.
Karnataka, India
Reader’s note: The author used excellent diction and has a very expansive vocabulary. The imagery was very fitting and thorough and added to the piece’s quality.
Bridge Ink 