Story Summary
Always Believe is an enchanting and metaphorical story in which children meet Crystal Cloud, a magical storyteller, who is guided by the Stars and teaches the children to never give up. The fate of the Unicorns rests on the community BELIEVING with all their hearts and efforts that they can be saved. The purpose of the story is to help every child and adult remember an important event in United States History, not as a tragedy but as the Triumph of the American Community Spirit.
On a normal September morning Crystal Cloud and her pet Unicorn named Starshine, left her castle for a breakfast of mint tea with the wise woman Tomiko. Shortly after they arrived they hear an unexpected BOOM that could be heard for miles and then everything was covered with a dark, gray dust. A meteorite had crashed into Adara’s mountain where the Unicorns had gathered for a meeting.
Many Unicorns were trapped or injured by the meteorite and they were running for the safety of the forest as fast as they could. Crystal Cloud knew they would need the largest rescue effort ever and sent out a call for help to the whole community. And everyone came. Not only were the Unicorns injured but the dangers mounted. Pirates were trying to capture the stranded Unicorns to sell them for a rich treasure. The volunteers and rescue workers kept arriving all day. George the Bear's Dad was a Firefighter and he led the way. All his firefighter buddies followed closely behind. They worked long and hard fighting the fires and trying to save the Unicorns.
Some volunteers set up a lemonade stand and made cool refreshing lemonade to sooth the throats of the rescue workers. Those who could not come sent what they could and many, many baskets of lemons arrived from every corner of the kingdom. Heroic efforts, both large and small, allowed for Community Spirit to emerge.
All day and into the evening they searched for missing Unicorns. It was heartbreaking because the Unicorns were so innocent and they did not deserve this. Crystal Cloud was a brave leader, but once she broke down in sobs because the sadness was more than she could bear. Her friend, BIG WIND, came to her rescue and took her to the STARS who told her what to do. Crystal Cloud regained her courage and did exactly what the STARS instructed. Today even Crystal Cloud learned the lesson that everyone working together was the greatest magic ever.
Many put flags on a pole by their doors letting the unicorns know where they would be safe. The dogs from all parts of the kingdom came to guard the injured unicorns from the Evil Pirates. The story concludes with a new patriotism emerging from all their hearts without the word ever spoken. They will remember that this new red, white and blue flag meant safety. Such an important part of our history cannot be neglected and we must always remember the UNICORNS. We are responsible for planting the seeds of compassion and community spirit in the little hearts and minds of our children.
Where else, except in Patriotic Hampton Roads, would it be appropriate to stage this vitally important memory and celebrate Patriots Day. September 11th is a current historical event and once again as community members we become united and volunteer in astonishing numbers. We place flags on homes, buildings and even our automobiles displaying a spirit like no other nation. We create a spirit that although occasionally forgotten is easily recalled by a community whose greatest treasure is their natural humanitarian instinct.