Jackson loved dragons! He drew them with his robot arms, pretended to be one while climbing on the couch, and even named his toys after them. One Saturday, Mom took him to the Houston Street Market. It was amazing! So many colors, smells, and sounds surrounded them. Jackson was amazed by the mountains of red apples, bright green limes, and giant, spiky fruits he'd never even seen before!
“Wow!” Jackson said, his eyes wide with wonder. “Look at all the colors, Mom!”
Mom smiled. “Isn't it wonderful, Jackson? The market is full of surprises.” She pointed to a stall piled high with colorful fabrics. "Look! They have silk from faraway lands!"
As they walked, Jackson noticed a man with a twinkling beard sitting by a table. He had a tall, pointy hat covered in stars and moons. A sign above his head read: “Magician Marvelous - Fortunes Told & Maps Made Real!”
"Mom, look! A real magician!" Jackson exclaimed, tugging at her hand.
Mom chuckled. “Well, he certainly looks the part, doesn't he?”
Magician Marvelous winked at Jackson. "Young man, I see a great adventure in your future! Do you need a map to guide you?”
Jackson felt a little shy, but he was also excited. He really did love adventures! "A map? Where would it lead?"
Magician Marvelous smiled. "To a place only you can find," he said mysteriously, pulling out a rolled-up parchment. "This map shows the path to the Mountain of Resilience. But be warned, it's not an easy journey. You'll face challenges along the way!"
Jackson's heart pounded. The Mountain of Resilience sounded amazing! He thought about all the times he'd fallen while climbing and gotten back up. Maybe that's what the Mountain of Resilience was all about - never giving up!
"I want to go!" Jackson exclaimed.
Mom looked a little unsure, but she saw the excitement in Jackson's eyes. "Well," she said, “an adventure might be fun! But promise me you'll be careful, Jackson."
"I promise, Mom!" He took the map from the magician. It felt warm in his hands, like it was alive! As soon as his fingers touched it, strange symbols glowed, and a dotted line appeared, leading away from the market.
"Follow the map," Magician Marvelous advised, "and it will lead you where you need to go. And remember, true resilience means never giving up, even when things get tough!”
Jackson nodded seriously, clutching the map. He was ready for his adventure! He said goodbye to Magician Marvelous and, with Mom by his side, followed the glowing path. They walked past the stalls, the map leading them through the bustling crowd, further and further into the market. The air grew quiet, and the sounds of the market faded behind them. Jackson gripped the map tightly, his heart pounding with excitement. He knew that somewhere beyond the familiar sights of the market, a grand adventure awaited him!
