MELA

    By Mimidoo Dera

    MELA cover image

    30 Jan, 2024

    a painting of a woman and a child sitting on a couch together, smiling at the camera, with a window in the background, photorealism, a painting, Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy, official art

    In the heart of Mela's imagination, there was a lively African family. Papa and Mama were always seated on the couch, their comforting presence a constant in her world. Mela loved them dearly and drew strength from their love.

    two young girls standing next to each other in front of a crowd of people with drums and a microphone, harlem renaissance, a comic book panel, Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy, comic cover art

    Mela also had a special friend, Stella the drummer. Stella could tap out the most amazing rhythms on her drum, filling Mela's world with music and joy.

    a couple of girls riding on the back of a blue bike together in front of a building with flowers, photorealism, a stock photo, disney, promotional image

    Mela's friends, Julie and Jenny, were never far behind. They loved riding their bicycles in the house, their laughter echoing through the rooms. Their antics brought a sense of adventure to Mela's world.

    a painting of a man sitting on a throne with a crown on his head and a red sash around his neck, qajar art, a detailed painting, Emperor Huizong of Song, highly detailed digital painting

    Their kingdom was ruled by a simple and kind king. This king loved to lie down, a habit that Mela found amusing. His gentle rule brought peace and order to their world.

    a man and a little girl are smiling for a picture together in a living room with paintings on the wall, afrofuturism, a stock photo, Ella Guru, promotional image

    Mela loved to watch Papa and Mama on the couch. She admired their calmness and how they seemed content just being together.

    a couple of kids that are playing drums together in a room with lights in the background and a drum set, samikshavad, a poster, Ella Guru, cgstudio

    The sound of Stella's drums was the heartbeat of their world. Mela loved the rhythm, the energy, and the way it made her feel alive.

    a painting of a girl riding a bike with a basket of eggs in her hand and a little girl sitting on the bike, photorealism, an ultrafine detailed painting, Bob Byerley, pixar and disney animation

    Julie and Jenny's bicycle races through the house were always a sight to behold. Their laughter and playful rivalry added to the charm of their world.

    a man and a girl sitting on the grass together smiling at the camera, with a building in the background, dau-al-set, a stock photo, Altoon Sultan, promotional image

    The king's habit of lying down was a source of amusement for Mela. She loved the simplicity and the quirkiness of his character.

    a group of people in colorful dresses posing for a picture together in a street with buildings in the background, afrofuturism, a poster, Ella Guru, promotional image

    One day, Mela suggested they all try to be like the king and spend a day lying down. The idea was met with amusement and excitement.

    a woman in a white dress is holding a drum in a field of grass and daisies with a smile on her face, art photography, a stock photo, Elina Karimova, girl

    Stella brought out her drum, playing a soothing rhythm that made lying down a relaxing experience.

    two girls sitting on the ground next to bicycles and smiling at the camera with their arms around each other, barbizon school, a stock photo, Christian Hilfgott Brand, portrait photography

    Julie and Jenny, for once, left their bicycles and lay down, their laughter echoing through the room as they whispered stories to each other.

    a man and woman sitting on a couch smiling at the camera, dressed in african clothing, with a lamp in the background, black arts movement, a photocopy, Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy, brown skin

    Papa and Mama, lying down on their couch, watched their imaginary world unfold with loving eyes.

    a man in a crown smiles as he stands in front of a crowd of men in uniform and hats, excessivism, a poster, Emperor Huizong of Song, vfx

    The king was delighted to see his subjects following his favorite pastime. He smiled, his heart filled with joy.

    a painting of a mother and daughter in a field of flowers with a house in the background and a tree, american scene painting, a storybook illustration, disney, official art

    Mela was thrilled to see her idea come to life. She lay down, listening to Stella's drum, the laughter of her friends, and the loving whispers of Papa and Mama.

    a little girl with curly hair and a colorful dress smiling at the camera with a crowd of people in the background, photorealism, a photorealistic painting, disney, ultra realistic digital art

    The day passed in a blur of laughter, stories, and music. Mela realized that sometimes, the simplest of ideas could bring the most joy.

    a painting of a girl with a cat in a field of flowers and a rainbow in the background with a rainbow, naive art, a character portrait, Constance Gordon-Cumming, comic cover art

    As the day came to an end, Mela felt a sense of peace and happiness. She knew that her imaginative world was a place of love, joy, and creativity.

    a man and a woman standing next to a child in a village with people in the background and a building, afrofuturism, a poster, Chafik Charobim, movie still

    Papa and Mama, Stella, Julie, Jenny, and the king, they were all part of her world. And they brought her comfort, joy, and a sense of belonging.

    a little girl sitting on a bed with a blanket on it and a lit candle in the corner of the room, photorealism, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, cgstudio

    That night, as Mela lay down to sleep, she felt a sense of accomplishment. She had brought joy to her world and her heart was filled with happiness.

    a painting of a girl in a colorful dress standing in a field of flowers at sunset with a sunset behind her, magical realism, a character portrait, Edwin Georgi, kinkade

    She realized that her autism did not define her. Rather, it gave her a unique perspective, allowing her to see the world in a way others couldn't.

    a painting of a girl in a dress standing in front of a castle with balloons floating in the sky, magical realism, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, kinkade

    As Mela drifted off to sleep, she knew that she would wake up to another day of adventures in her imaginative world. A world filled with love, joy, and endless possibilities.

    a painting of a woman playing a drum with children behind her and a man behind her smiling at the camera, harlem renaissance, a poster, Ella Guru, comic cover art

    And so, Mela's world continued to spin, filled with the rhythm of Stella's drum, the laughter of Julie and Jenny, the loving presence of Papa and Mama, and the gentle rule of the king. Her world was a canvas of her imagination, and she was the artist.

    a painting of a girl with butterflies around her head and a field of flowers in the background with butterflies, magical realism, a storybook illustration, Drew Struzan, comic cover art

    Mela knew that she was loved and cherished. She knew that she was unique, special, and wonderfully imaginative. And she knew that she was capable of bringing joy and happiness to her world.

    a painting of a girl reading a book in a field of flowers with butterflies around her and a butterfly background, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Audrey Kawasaki, highly detailed digital painting

    In the end, Mela's story is a reminder to us all. A reminder to see the world through the eyes of a child, to cherish simplicity, and to find joy in the ordinary. Because in the end, it's these little moments that make life truly beautiful.