The View from The Window.

The short story, "The View from the Window" cannot be described with words. All I can tell you is that a girl encounters many fascinating things while on her way to town, I hope you enjoy! :)

Janie Marvels and her family of seven lived in a large farmhouse by the lake. The view from Janie’s window was absolutely breathtaking, just to wake up everyday and see that marvellous view from her window reassured Janie that she wasn’t leaving anytime soon. As much as Janie loved the view from her window; she couldn’t help but want something more out of it. Every time Janie looked outside, she saw beautiful things put in one scenery. But none of it, meant much to her. She wished that every-time she would look out the window, she could see her childhood memories right in front of her, the stumbles, the falls, the joys… everything. She wished that every-time she’d look out the window, she could see her future before her eyes. Janie wished that every-time she’d look out of that window, she could see herself walking to town, a place with bright lights and laughter everywhere, so she heard.

The day after her eleventh birthday, her two elder brothers left for college so it was her mother now who’d go to town to fetch the supplies for the family; and quite often her mother would get sick so it would be her father going to town! But there was on one occasion when Janie’s father was out hunting in the marshes and her mother happened to be sick, only then her mother would give her permission to go fetch the supplies from town. Janie knew that it was a long walk from the farmhouse, and with the shoes that she had; it was of no use and she’d get tired soon, but the family couldn’t starve, could they? Janie was more then happy to do the favour, even with the torn and weary shoes that she had, she agreed. 

 As she left the farmhouse with a long list of items that she needed to get from the market and a bottle of water in case she got tired, she took a breath in of the crisp air and grinned widely. Janie had never been this happy, and she was enjoying every moment of it. As she treaded along the path to town, she saw so many things that she never dreamt of seeing before. She saw lots of deer in the fields, she had never seen a deer before, so this was a moment that she would remember forever. Janie wanted to spend more time admiring the plenty deer, but she had to hurry back before it’d get too dark. Janie also got to pass the vast green lake that her father fished in sometimes. It had been two years since she’d seen that lake, and now she finally got to see it again. It looked different, Janie had thought, but without a doubt it was the still the most interesting view she had ever seen. Janie decided to dip her legs in the cold, icy but yet refreshing lake-water for a quick moment or two. As she did so, everything around her felt so different… but oh, so wonderful. It was as if the world had just paused, and this was the only thing that mattered right now. As Janie slowly took a grip on reality, she made a note to never forget this moment, and to cherish it forever. 

Town was not so far, Janie had thought. It was quite a tricky route to follow, but it wasn’t that far. Overall, It took her just about twenty minutes including a quick stop at the lake and a moment or two admiring the deer. She figured that everybody was just simply exaggerating their back pains or foot pains, or it could simply be the fact that they were ageing and Janie was clearly not! As Janie entered town, she was surrounded by restaurants, cafe’s and different forms of entertainment. For Instance, they was a large cinema, Janie knew what it was, and she was ever so eager to see what it looked like on the inside, but she knew she could not. She also passed a group of youngsters playing all sorts of instruments right up on the street outside the market, she stood watching for a while, amazed. She didn’t know what those instruments were called, but one of them looked very familiar, it was a gorgeous golden brown of colour and as the bow graciously glided across the strings, she knew it was more than just a song to her. Her heart filled with emotion as she kept on listening, and now she knew what it was called- a violin. She remembered that her grandfather used to play it to her, he played for Janie every night just as she was to sleep. He would say; ‘When you go to sleep, you’re dreams will be only happy and melodious, and as long as you hear the soft sound of the violin, nothing bad will ever happen to you.’ Janie listened to the violin’s comforting sound; It was heaven, but the only thing was… it was better. It was like she was hearing her grandfathers comforting voice again, she had never felt that feeling in a long time, and now that she was; she couldn’t help but donate a penny or two to those youngsters. She thanked them and left for the market. The market was the most clustered and crowded thing Janie had ever seen, and it was just a late Wednesday evening! If this was so claustrophobic, she daren’t imagine what it would be like on a sunny, Sunday afternoon. As she elbowed her way through the teeming market, she hurriedly grasped hold of all the supplies that she needed making absolutely no eye contact with strangers, just as her mother sternly said not to do. Janie made her way to counter to get billed for her supplies. There was a young girl who was billing Janie, she didn’t look much older than Janie herself. She gave her a grin, even though mother strictly said not to, but what harm could a girl just about her age do? The girl politely grinned back, making no conversation. Janie was handed two plastic bags filled to the brim with all kinds of items that she needed. She then swiftly lead herself out of the market carrying the two bags. 

As Janie left town, she thought of all the amazing experiences she witnessed today. She couldn’t wait to tell everyone what an amazing journey she had. She would detail every single bit of her journey, it could take a while, but she just had to share it. As she treaded back to town, there was a gleam in Janie’s eye. A gleam that suddenly emerged right after her grandfathers death, a gleam that was lost, but suddenly… it was found. The gleam was was found.

After the tiring day that Janie had, she decided to tell everyone about her exciting journey tomorrow. For now, she wanted to simply eat her supper and get to bed. As Janie entered her room, her gaze met with the window by the bed. Janie was hoping that her view from the window had changed. Her heart was beating faster every step she took closer to that simple, pale window which could mean everything to her. She didn’t know what she was expecting, but she was hoping that she would be taken into another world every-time she looked out the view from her window. At first sight; it was nothing… absolutely nothing. Janie squinted and rubbed her eyes a couple of times, but it was of no use. The view from her window didn’t change. As Janie looked at her reflection through her window; she could see something in the distance. A man. He was walking towards the farmhouse, and every step that he took the man looked more and more familiar. Everything around him remained the same, but his warmth and glow made it seem different. Janie could see what he was wearing now, a floppy hat made from straw and blue jeans made from canvas along with classic cowboy boots with a metal spur attached to it. These type of clothes were only worn by Janie’s grandfather, and the next thing he did, was call out to her. It was all a memory; but it was a memory that stayed within little Janie’s soul forever. The view from the window, was better than she had ever expected. 

Author's Note

I hope you enjoyed the story, it took about a week with editing to post it on this site. Even if it wasn't so good, don't hesitate to tell me :) Feedback can be good or bad! Also, feel free to give suggestions on some other short stories I should write...! I love to hear new ideas.
Thanks, Mira.

Reviews

[transentience]

This slice of life was a very uplifting read. I saw lots of metaphors to get out and experience the beauty of life, rather than just observing it. I liked how you made gender roles irrelevant in order for the family to work together and strive. And I loved Janies independence and how she created her own beauty in her journey. This kind of reminded me of "Rappaccini's Daughter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne, but less morbid, haha.

[Mira]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your kind words on my story. I will return the favor soon :)

Regards,
Mira.

[Dave]

I think your childhood recollection of your first trip into town is very sweet.. I thought it was interesting that your view from the window, at the end, included the image of your grandfather.

[apennylate]

I kept expecting dragons, or knights in shining armor... Or perhaps an evil wizard with a ghoulish ghoul to pop out and send our heroine on a magical journey... That did not happen... But it almost felt like it did... Theater stops, market talks... It was a grand journey, and one that made the magic of storytelling... Happen within the descriptive elements, instead of just SAYING things are magical... You nail down the ethereal element beautifully... Without even trying, and that... That is the mark of a superb story..

[dw817]

No bad guys, no antagonists, and no mysteries. Just a good wholesome story ripe with the innocence of youth and the wonders of the world.

Nicely written, Mirabel !

[Mira]

I really appreciate it dw817! Perhaps I'll leave the antagonist and the mysteries for my longer stories :)

Thank you for the review,
Mira. (Mirabel)

[dw817]

UBetcha ... take care. :)

[wordman]

a beautiful write,i really enjoyed reading

[Shabeeh Haider]

This is a pretty interesting account of what Janie witnessed when she left for town. The words are pretty clear and the phrases are descriptive. The reader feels as if he is taking a tour with Janie.
The ending is pretty interesting as she see's her long dead grandfather walking towards her.

[Great Aunt Astri]

Yes, I really did enjoy this story. A real magical read and I felt right there with Janie. Lovely descriptions, lovely ending, with her remembering her grandfather, 'the view from her window was better than she had ever expected'

[richieb]

Mira, I loved your story, I love the pure innocence of youth. the fascination of seeing things for the first time or the wonderment of how things change. You captured all of this in your story. I believe you worked hard and gave this story your best effort. Continue to write and you will learn and improve. I am sending you a read request for one of my stories that deals with childhood memories. Many Blessings Richie B.

[Mira]

Thank you Richie! This has got to be one of my favourite stories too, I didn't think much of it at first but when so many people decided to appreciate my work, I thought I should appreciate mine too :) So I read it once again, and really then I saw the beauty in it.

Regards,
Mira.

[Krizito]

Ever read a story and when you're done the only words that escapes your mouth is a tiny "wow" ...
For the record, good editing skills.