The Curious Garden Reader

    By Yichao Lian

    The Curious Garden Reader cover image

    22 Apr, 2024

    a boy sitting on the ground reading a book under a tree with a bird flying overhead in a park, a storybook illustration, storybook illustration, fantasy art, Diego Gisbert Llorens

    A young boy was sitting under the oak tree in the garden, engrossed in the adventure book he was reading. The rustling of the leaves in the wind was his only company.

    a man sitting on a rock reading a book in a park with flowers and trees around him and a bird flying by, a storybook illustration, yukito kishiro, precisionism, Cliff Childs

    His grandfather sat beside him, trying to strike a conversation. However, the boy was too absorbed in his book to pay any attention.

    a man and a boy are reading a book in the woods together, with a tree in the background, a storybook illustration, storybook illustration, magical realism, Cliff Childs

    As the boy continued reading, the garden seemed to transform around him, taking on a magical hue. He was oblivious to the change, but his grandfather noticed.

    a man and a boy are sitting on a rock reading a book together in a field of flowers and trees, a storybook illustration, storybook illustration, fantasy art, Aaron Jasinski

    His grandfather tried to interrupt his reading again, pointing out the magical transformation. However, the boy simply brushed him off, too engrossed in his magical adventure book.

    a cartoon character standing in front of a garden with flowers and a house in the background with a pathway, a character portrait, character portrait, naive art, Cliff Childs

    Eventually, the boy looked up from his book and gasped, realizing that the garden was now a mirror image of the magical world in his book.

    a painting of two men sitting on a bench reading a book together in a garden with butterflies flying overhead, a storybook illustration, official art, american scene painting, Brothers Hildebrandt

    His grandfather chuckled, telling him that the garden had always held this magic, but only those who believe can see it.

    a man sitting in a chair with a cat and a book in his lap and a light string hanging from the ceiling, a storybook illustration, storybook illustration, fantasy art, Aaron Jasinski

    The boy, now curious, asked his grandfather about the garden's magic. His grandfather began to tell him stories of the garden's past, filled with magic and mystery.

    a man standing in a field of flowers with trees in the background and a path leading to the woods, a character portrait, official art, lyco art, Cliff Childs

    As the grandfather narrated the stories, the garden seemed to come alive, showing them scenes from the past. The boy was mesmerized, his book forgotten on the grass.

    a man and a boy are sitting in a field of flowers reading a book together, with a tree in the background, a storybook illustration, storybook illustration, fantasy art, Cyril Rolando

    The boy and his grandfather spent the rest of the day exploring the magical garden, each flower holding a story, each leaf a secret.

    a boy and a boy sit in a field reading a book together, with the sun shining through the trees, a storybook illustration, storybook illustration, art & language, Brothers Hildebrandt

    As the sun set, the magic faded away, leaving behind the garden as it was. But the boy knew the garden was not just a garden anymore.

    a painting of a boy reading a book in a field of flowers with butterflies flying around him and a castle in the background, a storybook illustration, storybook illustration, fantasy art, Aaron Jasinski

    From that day forward, the boy spent more time with his grandfather, listening to his stories and discovering the magic around him.

    a man and a child are sitting on a bench reading a book in a park with flowers and trees, a storybook illustration, storybook illustration, fantasy art, Cliff Childs

    He realized that sometimes, the real world could be just as magical as the ones in the books if only one believed.