জবা || Joba

jó-baa

Happiness seemed to be fading away from the city where Joba lived. People smiled less and the days seemed gloomy. Joba being the cheerful person she could not bear to see her city of laughter change into this gloomy mess. She decided to embark on a journey to return the spirit of Happiness to her city. 

She left her city to begin her journey. Her trials started with the River of Sorrows. Its fast flowing murky waters flowed thich with sadness. As Joba jumped into the river, she felt her body heavy, as if she wanted to surrender to the water. She, however, remembered the warm feeling of happiness in her chest and pushed herself to wade through the thick waters. As she crossed the river, she found herself in the cold Woods of Insecurity. The shadows that lived there were far stronger than the currents she had just overcome. They whispered deepest doubts and fears to a wet and cold Joba. But she knew it was only an illusion of the woods that wanted to keep her from finding Happiness. Guiding herself through the maze of uncertainty, she landed into the Dark Valley of Self Doubt. By now, Joba was really tired and cold, and all she wanted to do was return home. She had lost all hope of ever finding Happiness. It stopped feeling like it was worth the effort. It was at this moment that the spirit of Happiness called out to her from the far end of the valley. Joba ran towards it. She knew she would find Happiness and be able to return home with her. 

Finally, at the end of the dark valley was Happiness, waiting for Joba with open arms. Her presence was brighter than the sun and warmer than a fireplace. Hand in hand, Happiness and Joba made their way back to her city. As they reached, laughter seemed to have filled the city and Happiness was doing her rounds again, keeping a map handy so as to not get lost again. 

As Joba watched Happiness at work, and reflected back on her journey, she realised that happiness can be found within our hearts if we are brave enough to wade through the sorrows, insecurities and self doubt. Happiness is always waiting to be discovered, all we need is a little patience and a lot of courage.