Stories and coziness by the fireplace
Imagine an evening surrounded by loved ones, by the fire, far from the hustle and bustle. And especially far from our smartphones and screens, which very often replace interaction with our loved ones and take up a predominant space in the evenings.
Switch off. Take time. Listen. Dream...
Once upon a time..., Have you heard..., I'm supposed to send you greetings from..., imagine... streams of thoughts like an icy mistral, that typical Provençal wind that can blow in all directions during the day...
You've had a long and hard day at work, you finally get home, and right after dinner, you cozy up near the fireplace to warm up. All generations gather: parents, friends, and neighbors sit in a semicircle around the fire to listen with attention and joy to this evening's storyteller, who will whisper to you the thousand and one stories of everyday life, real or imagined, through poems, stories, gossip, anecdotes...
The house cat has perched on one of the guests' laps, the flames flicker, and the dry wood crackles gently... the storyteller can begin...
Once upon a time...
Time seems to have stood still and all guests are immersed in history.
A moment like this used to be very common, before television had entered homes. People would regularly gather around the fireplace after a day's work. Back then, these gatherings played a very important role in the lives of the inhabitants of villages or small towns, especially in remote areas. These evenings brought a moment of sharing and exchange, but also peace and serenity. The stories told there inspired dreams, smiles, wonder, and thrills.
It was the pleasure of meeting, in an atmosphere of relaxation and joy, and sharing an authentic moment. But with the advent of television, much of that disappeared.
Cozy evening by the fireplace with wine and cheese from Provence
Fire has always fascinated people. Sitting by the fire on cold winter days brings cozy warmth and pure joy. And especially in our current time of pandemic, when we have to stay at home a lot, every moment of relaxation is worth appreciating, as well as rediscovering that "once upon a time" feeling.
So why not try sharing simple, yet genuine moments with those we love, like a little break from everyday life? Telling each other an exciting or funny story by the fireplace or on the sofa creates unforgettable evenings. I'll brew a delicious cup of tea, wrap myself in my cozy throw made of premium Liberty fabric and faux fur, and simply enjoy listening.
I, too, spend most of my time online due to my work, and that's why I find the idea of experiencing "stories and coziness by the fireplace" again today with my children and husband or with a good friend exciting...
A short story to tell by the fireplace:
It said this to everyone it met today, because it was New Year's Eve, and it wanted to be polite. Being polite makes people happy, Grandmother had taught it. And bringing joy brought joy. Wasn't it nice to end the year by being happy?
The child was still practicing politeness. It wasn't an easy thing, and few people seemed to have learned it. Or they had forgotten it. They didn't look very happy on New Year's Eve. They weren't very polite either, and it looked as if they had forgotten their joy. Or lost it. Very few listened to the child, and even fewer responded.
"Luck?" asked the old man, who was sitting on the bench and shivering. He was the only one who answered. "What is luck? And why should I have it today?"
“Because it’s the last day of the year,” the child replied.
The man nodded. "The old is too old, the young is still too young," he murmured. "And we're stuck in the middle."
"That's right." The child nodded. "That's what my mom said at breakfast today. But I didn't understand it."
"It's very simple." The old man smiled now. "Close your eyes for a moment and feel! How do you feel about it? Just think about this moment! Not about yesterday, not about tomorrow, not about before, and not about after."
The child thought and felt. "I'm feeling pretty good about it," he replied. "No, fine. I'm feeling fine at this moment."
“So this would be something like happiness for this moment?”
The child nodded. "Talking to you and thinking about happiness feels really good right now."
The old man nodded. "Happiness often hides in the present. It feels little comfortable in yesterday, and it doesn't want to think about tomorrow just yet."
The child had to think about that. "And if you take this moment with you into the new year," he said, "happiness will be found there too. Because after every moment comes another, and another, and another. It's quite simple, right?"
"True. Life is made up of moments, and each one is different. Sometimes very different, usually just a tiny bit. Don't forget that, especially in moments when you feel particularly happy or unhappy. It makes things easier."
The child nodded. He hadn't thought about happiness 🍀 like that before."
"It sounds simple," it said, closing its eyes to feel the moment. When it opened them again, the old man had disappeared, as if he had vanished into thin air. Or as if he had never been there.
More stories can be found here:
Amazon Link: Dreams by French Fireplaces by Richard von Volkmann
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