Read by Michael Flamel

OOnce upon a time, in a quaint little cottage nestled at the edge of a charming village, lived a woman named Eliza. She was known far and wide for her vibrant and splendid rose garden that flourished beside her home. Eliza was a kind-hearted and gentle soul, always eager to lend a helping hand to those in need. Little did she know that her beautiful roses held a secret gift.

One warm and sunny morning, as Eliza was tending to her roses, she noticed something extraordinary. The roses seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly light, and their fragrance was sweeter than ever before. She plucked a delicate, crimson rose and marveled at its beauty.

“Such a lovely rose,” Eliza whispered to herself. “I wonder if there’s more to you than meets the eye.”

As the days passed, Eliza observed an astonishing phenomenon. Whenever she gifted one of her roses to someone, their lives seemed to take a magical turn. Her best friend, Sarah, who had been searching for love for years, found herself swept off her feet by a charming gentleman she met at a garden party. Eliza’s elderly neighbor, Mr. Jenkins, who had been feeling lonely and isolated, suddenly found new friends and companionship. Even the local schoolteacher, Miss Alice, who had struggled with her students’ unruly behavior, saw her class transform into a group of eager learners.

Eliza began to suspect that her roses held a power beyond their beauty, a power to bring happiness, health, and harmony to those who received them. It was as if her roses were magical, and she couldn’t help but feel that there was a greater purpose to this gift.

One evening, as she tended to her roses under the soft glow of the moon, a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, and a soft voice spoke to her, “Eliza, dear, your roses are a gift from your guardian angel. They have been blessed to bring joy and healing to those in need.”

Eliza looked around, but there was no one to be seen. She knew in her heart that the voice was real, and she intently listened.

“You have a special role, Eliza,” the voice continued. “Each year, it is your task to select someone who needs a touch of magic in their life. The roses from your garden will provide them with the love, happiness, or harmony they seek.”

With newfound understanding, Eliza accepted her destiny with grace and enthusiasm. She became known as the “Rose Angel” in her village, and each year, she carefully chose someone to bless with the magic of her roses. She watched as couples found love, children became more respectful, and the sick regained their health. Her village flourished with happiness and harmony, all thanks to the mystical power of her roses.

As the years passed, Eliza’s own heart blossomed as well. She discovered a love of her own, a kind and gentle soul who cherished her just as much as she cherished her roses. Together, they tended to the garden, knowing that it was a gift from a guardian angel.

And so, in the quaint cottage by the edge of the village, Eliza continued to share the enchanting secret of her roses, spreading happiness and magic wherever they were needed. She understood that sometimes, the most extraordinary things could be found in the simplest of places, and that the true power of kindness and love could transform even the most ordinary garden into a haven of miracles. ❖