Once Upon a Time

There were two 20-somethings who decided to go on an adventure.

They loved their home in Canada very much but decided it was time to see the world. When the girl was offered a job across the ocean in a place called London, England, they talked a lot about the opportunity, and agreed that it was time to explore the world.

For many months the couple dreamed about the wonderful things that they were going to see and do in their new home across the ocean. They were very sad to leave their families and friends, but knew that one day they would all be together again. Finally, after a lot of waiting and preparation, it was time to go. Waving goodbye with one hand (while wiping tears away with the other), they bid goodbye to their loved ones and boarded the plane.

Their new city was even more amazing than expected. There were buildings for as far as the eyes could see, castles, palaces, parks, and thousands of things to see and do. There were even places that have been around for hundreds of years! The couple couldn't wait to start working and exploring.

Then the bad news started happening.

The boy found out he wasn't allowed to work and that before he would be allowed to work in their new home, he would have to travel back home to Canada to ask the People in Charge of Being Allowed to Work if they would let him have a job. The girl and boy were very sad and angry, but realized that there was nothing that could be done.

Because they didn't have enough money, they did not get to travel and explore as much as they wanted to, but they did make the best of things.

They went to the places that didn't cost money to visit. They went on walks in the park all the time, took pictures of the animals and birds that lived there, spent quiet evenings together with friends, and planned for the time when things were going to be "all right again". They played card games and video games and enjoyed each other's company.

When the time came for the boy to return to their home country, they tried very hard to be brave, telling themselves that things would work out after this, and that they would be together soon. Again, they talked about all of the incredible adventures they would have once the boy was allowed to work.

And then more bad news came...

The People in Charge of Being Allowed to Work told the boy that he wasn't allowed to come back to their new home to find a job. They were supposed to call the girl to make sure she would help him while he searched for work, but the didn't. Now the boy is trying to change their minds... which is difficult because they won't talk to him and don't seem to want to help him at all.

One day, the girl was offered the chance to stay at the school where she worked. The Head Teacher was so happy with everything she had done that he wanted her to stay with them until she moved back home again. He wanted her to work for their school only - and to stay there until it was time to move back to Canada again.

Because the boy was still waiting to find out if the People in Charge of Being Allowed to Work would allow him to come back and find a job in their new home, the girl couldn't give the Head Teacher an answer. And so she had to wait. She was very happy that her hard work had made a difference to the children in her class and the rest of the school, but was confused about what choice to make. If she takes the job and the boy has to go back to Canada then she'll be living all alone for many months without friends or family.

To this day, she still waits for the answer, wondering will they finally get their happy ending...



Author's note: All I can say about this little story is that I'm an elementary school teacher and I just couldn't help myself!