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In a misty village perched beside a silver river, young Emil often sat with his grandfather, Oren, under the shade of the willow tree. The river glistened, winding beyond the horizon like a ribbon sewn into the unknown.

“Grandfather,” Emil asked one evening, “why can’t we ever know what will happen next? I want to feel certain. I want to make a plan that works.”

Grandfather Oren chuckled softly, tapping his cane against a smooth stone. “Ah, Emil. You remind me of a sailor trying to predict the wind. It’s noble—but not always wise.”

He scooped a pebble and tossed it into the water. Ripples danced outward.

“You see that?” he said. “You can drop the pebble, but you cannot control the shape of the ripples. That’s how life works. We act, we plan—but the results are always in the hands of something greater.”

“But isn’t planning important?” Emil asked.

“Of course,” Oren nodded. “Plan, prepare, plant your seeds. But know this: the rain may come late. The sun may burn too hot. Still, the Gardener above sees the whole orchard, even when you only see one patch of soil.”

He leaned in closer.

“Did I ever tell you the stories of Moses and Krishna?”

Emil shook his head.

“They were both infants, cast into uncertainty—placed in baskets, floating on rivers. There was no map, no promise of survival. And yet, those helpless journeys… became the beginning of empires falling and justice rising. Did their parents know? No. But the Almighty did.”

The sky turned indigo.

“In your life, Emil, there will be days when your plans fall apart. You’ll wonder if anything makes sense. That’s when you must remember: You have a Master. And He has the map.”

“So,” Emil asked quietly, “I should stop trying so hard to control what comes next?”

“Not stop trying,” said Grandfather, placing a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Just stop fearing what you can’t control. Trust the One who can.”

The river flowed on, untouched by worry, unhurried by fear.

And Emil—though still young—felt something loosen within him.

He didn’t know where life would take him.

But for the first time, he was okay with not knowing.