On a tiny planet in the furthest corner of a galaxy that not a single other soul knew existed, a lone traveller was making his pilgrimage to its surface. Standing there on high, surveying all that was now his, he was weeping quietly.
His domain, very specific in its layout, was beautiful and perfect. Every organic element he'd thought to introduce to the soil, each seed that he'd nurtured and cared for all those centuries ago, was now playing its own important part in keeping the dream alive. The saplings that over years became copses then dense woods, were now mature forests, lush and leafy …. because skin so pale would appreciate shade rather than direct sunlight.
Hectare upon hectare of corn, wheat, barley and rye; heads bowed slightly as they ripened in the sun, completed their seasonal cycles in the hope that one day their harvesting may become a necessity. A wide scattering of country gardens provided safe havens, shaded corners for aromatic herbs to grow, while the exposed plots baking in the sun around their perimeters were home to an abundance of spices, their pungent notes filling the air; cinnamon being the most prominent.
Over to the west lay the orchards and orange groves, and appreciating a slightly milder climate, just a little further north, honeysuckle thrived. Bringing beauty with its blossom and releasing a pleasing, distinctive perfume, each year it timed its climb perfectly to replace the fields of yellow daffodils no longer swaying in the spring breeze - the first thing to be planted, the poignant swathes of narcissus had been deemed essential if the place were to feel like home.
Down in the south, on a plantation of their own; coffee beans, so many varieties, all of them favourites, waited patiently, grew steadily as their essence intensified. They were ever-waiting for a time that would see them lovingly collected, then ground down to create something magical.
This world was a special place. Tranquil, welcoming. Littered with inland lakes of turquoise blue waters that kissed the edge of each untouched white beach, it was as pretty as it was perfect.
A Heaven on another Earth.
Yet there was still one thing missing.
-o- -o-
On a planet not another soul knew was there, each year a traveller with a lonely heart wept silently as he reassured himself that the home he'd created would be idyllic.
Just in case.
He kept a watchful eye on the coffee beans and cinnamon especially.
Just in case.
And speaking out loud at the same time each day, making sure he'd never be able to forget them, he repeated the same three words over and over again.
Just in case.
-o- -o-
-o- -o-