I love building in the sand. I do not remember when I started doing that. I think it was some time ago. I started on my own and then had friends join me. The very first thing I ever built was a square box right by the water. As I was looking at it, a wave came in and washed it away. I was so sad about it and did not want to do anything. Then, I watched the waves come and go and saw that I can move back some and the water will not come. I decided to try again. This time, I built two square boxes away from the water. Then, the sun came out and the boxes fell apart. It was very sad. I had to sit down and not do anything. Then, I had an idea of putting some water on the built box to make it wet so that it did not dry fast. I had a small bucket that I filled up with water and brought to where I was doing it. This time I built two more boxes and put some water on them to keep them wet. They lasted all day!
Next morning, I came and decided to build a real house. It took me all day to do. It had a real roof, columns, and small garden. Some kids came by and laughed at it saying it was not very pretty. Called it a pigsty. I was sad but then decided that it was great anyway.
Throughout the night I dreamt of sand buildings and what I can do. In the morning, I came to the beach and decided to build a village with ten houses, a horse stable but without horses because I do not know how to do those, and a field. By the time I was done, it was already after sunset.
After some time, do not know how many days, my houses got to be good. I started to do castles, mansions, cities. Soon, people started coming over to look. The boys who had laughed at me before, would come over and comment with positive nods. Later on, people would come over and ask to participate. I would always agree. I knew that after a while they would leave as it is not as exciting as it looks at first. I became friends with many of them. Was happy to have people come over and help or just look. After a while, others would start building castles near me. They would come over, look, and ask for advice. I was more than happy to help as this is something that is for everyone. There is enough for everyone and we all grow from this – all of our castles get better.
Through all this, I am alone. All my inner thoughts are my own, shared with no one. Not that I desire to share and am more than OK to be on my own. Yet, yet…
That day was like all other days, I created the base, built the water canal for the water to come to my area for wetting the creations. And am building the five tiered castle with a surrounding city. I have never done a five-tiered castle successfully. Four is the tallest I have done again and again that did not crumble under its own weight. Today, I had decided to try my luck again. It is very challenging, as most of the base of the castle must be done first. When I add the tower and it falls, it destroys a big part of the castle and I have to start from scratch. As I hunch there over the castle, you come over, a barefooted girl wearing a simple summer dress. Looking at the castle, you say – “you are adding too much water to the tower at the start; add less then and add more when it is done.” With your help, the five-tiered castle is up. Great day!
Next morning I could not wait to go back and build another structure. When I got to the beach you were there and we decided to build a six-tiered castle together. This time with drawbridges, inner courts, porticos. Boy, was it fun! Took us all day until the stars came out but we finally did it!
Today is a good day. The tide came in overnight and covered the entire beach making the sand nice and wet. Perfect for building. You were waiting for me so that we can built an entire city. As we started the foundation we were singing and then you turned to me:
– Will you be my friend?
– Yes
– For how long?
– For ever and a day