A tall green wave lifted my small boat and set it down on a quiet beach.I stepped onto the sand, tired and skinny after many days at sea.A torn purple cloth hung from my waist.My arms were weak from rowing, and my hair had grown long and curly.When I looked into the still water, I could hardly recognize my own face.The land around me was calm.I knelt and touched the cool sand.I smelled grass, clean dirt, and little bushes that circled the beach like a soft fence.A gentle wind brought the sweet scent of the forest and far-off flowers.I pulled my brown boat higher on the shore and rubbed its smooth side.Then I walked toward a thick wall of green shrubs.Sunlight slipped between the leaves, making gold and green spots on the ground.Tall grass brushed my knees, and silk-soft flowers tickled my feet.Soon I saw a narrow path, closed by a chain of red and white blossoms.I lifted the blossom chain, placed it around my neck like a summer necklace, and stepped inside.The path led to a small round clearing.Leaf-light painted bright dots on white sand, and two low marble benches waited in silence.My legs shook, yet my heart felt strong, so I moved on.Suddenly the trees pulled back, and a great garden opened in front of me.Curved walks, neat hedges, and beds of roses filled the space.Behind a group of tall old trees stood a white marble building—half palace, half temple.I sat on a shaded bench, leaned back, and closed my eyes.Soon sleep wrapped me like a soft blanket.In my dream the sea grew wild again.Black storms hit my boat, and empty nights weighed on me.Faraway city noises that I had fled whispered in my ears.Old fears rose like dark waves.Bright sunlight at last warmed my eyelids, and I woke.Happy voices floated through the leaves.I peeked out.Young women in loose, shining clothes played with a golden ball.Their laughter sounded like fresh water.The ball rolled to my feet.I picked it up; my heart pounded as if great danger or great joy was near.The women ran toward me.I stepped from the bushes like a shy ghost, holding the ball high.They stopped, surprised.As I came closer, they moved aside.Behind them stood a tall woman in a long white gown.She looked like their queen.I bowed low.Shame rushed over me.My purple cloth felt dirty and small next to her pure beauty.She spoke in a clear voice:“My friend, why have you come, and how did you find this place?”I told her of lonely days, dark nights, and fierce waves.“This purple cloth,” I said, “came from your land long ago, a gift when I was a child.But my hands are stained, my eyes hold anger.I am not worthy to wear it.I bring it back to you.”The queen’s eyes were calm yet strong.“I know you well,” she said.“In childhood I showed you blue hills and taught you songs of the gods.But you broke my temples and spoiled my gardens.You turned my songs into noisy street tunes.Still, you have reached my shore.”I knelt lower.“When you were far,” I whispered, “I lost my way.Storms hardened me.Loneliness cleared my sight.When I saw your hills rise from the sea, my heart grew young again.Yet when I saw your holiness, I felt small and weak.”“Stand,” she said kindly.“Do not ask for quick answers.Be my guest and try once more to live under my care.”She led me to her friends.Each face looked strangely familiar, holding a spark of beauty I had loved before.But none was greater than the queen, who held all their grace at once.Night wrapped the garden.I sat by the queen’s feet and sang of my first love.Some women smiled; others watched with gentle eyes.The queen’s lids closed like blue curtains, and peace filled the air.She handed me a silver cup of pale wine.“Rest now,” she said.A maid guided me to a small room.Stone carvings of Wisdom, Courage, Justice, and Temperance bowed to Beauty on the walls.Their quiet strength calmed me, and I slept.