The second most beautiful day in history

Four seasons in one day.

Copyright Notice: This story is part of the book Once (Eleven), which was honored with 5th Place in New Media Art at the Florence Biennale 2023.

All stories, paintings, and creative content in Once (Eleven) are protected by copyright.
© Andrei Bonilla, 2023. All rights reserved.

Thank you Rebe, for all your help giving life to this English version!

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The day began with the caress from an icy breeze. The trees blushed, and their green leaves turned into elegant shades of red and orange; then they took a bow and laid a carpet of dry leaves. Dew drops fell, and a cinnamon fragrance danced around in the air.

People rushed to get their coats from the back of their closets. Their hands shivered, but their eyes shone brightly.

Autumn had come in the middle of June. And not just there, the whole planet had turned into a golden poem.

As expected, curiosity arose. Scientists tried to focus, but their minds were lulled by the splendor. Empty houses, crowded parks; autumn had arrived and no one wanted to miss it. The unlikely new season became more important than any “to-do list”, being finally became more important than doing.

Then a pause, silence... Frozen musical notes fell from the sky.

"It's snowing, it's snowing!"

The snow covered the trees, the monuments, and the cities; it nested in the hands of those who had never touched it before and flew around turned into balls.

The white magic buried grudges and sorrows. Then winter brought forgiveness to every heart.

People shared scarves, gloves, and hot chocolate; nothing better than a snowfall to bring out the warmth of the human heart. There were snow sculptures, makeshift fireplaces, and ginger cookies. Not even Christmas had achieved that much in such little time.

Only then did the winter realize that it was time to say goodbye. The cold and the snow left together.

Spring didn’t surprise them, they expected it. But nobody predicted the giant flowers that grew in every corner, they absorbed the sunlight and dyed it in the color of their petals. The fresh air and the warm light felt like an embrace from a long-lost loved one. The color green came back with a soft tone that attracted birds and butterflies. Each passing springtime hour was full of joy. Bare feet, games and many "I love yous", that was what the spring brought: love.

With the summer came the weariness from the intensity of the previous hours. People tried to use the little energy they had left to feel once more the green and the sunshine, but their eyelids couldn’t stay open. A feeling of deep well-being enveloped them, and they gave thanks for everything they had lived. Summer had brought gratitude.

Every single person in the world fell asleep surrounded by flowers, in peace.

Thus it concluded. No trumpets were heard in heaven, there were no cataclysms or wars. Neither fear nor blood. The world said goodbye with the second most beautiful day in history.

Its end was the same as its beginning: a beautiful mystery.