The waters of Aloria by BeachWanderer

In the mystical realm of Aloria, there is a tale told by all old people, about a secret beach that is supposed to heal all ailments.

Princess Anica, the favourite daughter of the king, heard about it and decided to look for it, so it might cure her from her love sickness.

When she finally reached the shore, she realised that she needed to be "herself". The waves whispered: "You are enough. You don't need anyone." 

Swooosh!

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

Es war nur ein Ententeich, ein Stück weit unterhalb des Bauernhofs. Und er war nicht besonders groß. Lettie Hempstock behauptete, es sei ein Ozean, aber ich wusste, das war Quatsch. Sie behauptete, man könne durch ihn in eine andere Welt gelangen. Und was dann geschah, hätte sich eigentlich niemals ereignen dürfen.

It was just a duck pond a little way down from the farm. And it wasn't very big. Lettie Hempstock said it was an ocean, but I knew that was bullshit. She claimed that one could go to another world through it. And what happened next should never have happened.

Bald Eagles by Bianfu

The bald eagles meet in November/ December in Haines/ Alaska (Chilkat River). 

I always wanted to see this, but apparently Alaska isn't a tourist destination in winter - there were no flights. 

But the dream remains, one day I'll get there ...

Horses by Wyn

I was the typical horse-crazy girl. I especially love Palominos. As much as I begged my parents for a horse, I never got one. I worked at a boarding stable, and had friends with horses, so at least I got to spend time with them.

My high school graduation present was a motorcycle. Since then I have owned five. Currently I have a Moto Guzzi. In 2001 I found the opportunity to become a Motorcycle Safety Instructor. I am happy that I was able to share my joy with others in a way to make them safe.

But I still get a thrill every time I see a horse. 

First Dive by Miss Sassi Fras

My first dive! So excited! On this beautiful day, we sail to "the spot". The dolphins greet us and lead the way to our under water adventure.
WOW! This under water garden is brimming with delightful sealife, colors, textures, and movement.
The dolphins stay with us, and when our time under is over, they guide us back to the surface. We bid them a fond farewell as we head back to land.
I think how marvelous it is to feel like a mermaid, even for a short time.
This day far exceeded my expectations and will never be forgotten.

Feeling free by Nenya (lost card)

I hold your hand in mine and we are flying over the desert for miles and miles. You're shivering a bit and I wrap my arms around you, shield you from the cold wind.
The palace is far behind us and we're feeling free if only just for a moment. No one who tells us what to do or how to behave.
Your hair brushes over my skin and I can feel your breath on my face. When you look at me, it feels like butterflies in my stomach and I can't believe how lucky I am that I've found you and you found me.
In this moment you turn your head around and give me that smile I love so much. You sigh and look back into the direction we came from.
"We have to go back", you say and sigh again. "I guess so", I answer slowly and turn our carpet around. We fly back to the palace, back to restrictions we're living in but there will be another time to break out. Just a moment to feel free again, one tiny moment.

Land of my Ancestors by Laridian

The idea of living in the land of my ancestors tempts me. It sings to me of self-reliance, of open spaces empty of people, of stark beauty.

The reality is that I am no longer cold-tolerant, and self-reliance is a lot of work; that a place empty of people can mean loneliness and a lack of help in times of trouble.

But oh, that fantasy! Of living in the wild, of dangerous freedom! How it calls to me!

The butterfly-effect by Ninja

I was running through life chasing all those stars, looking for my happiness in all the wrong places. I had been told all my life that everything would get better once I finished school, once I got a good job, once I had a family of my own. I had been told that my life would be perfect once I was the very best at everything I did and accumulated so much wealth like no other had before me. For so long I had been running. It was now as I ran through a field of beautiful flowers that I stopped for a second to catch my breath and realized that all this time I hadn't been running towards these goals but from them.

Tired and exhausted I sat down in the soft grass and looked up at the clear blue sky. The sweet smelling wind caressed my cheeks. The lovely songs of birds filled my ears. A butterfly sat down on a flower next to me and whispered: "Happiness is all around us, we must only open our eyes. Joy will fill your heart once you learn how to open your eyes and see the beauty in the little things. So many people have been running through here and no one saw me, but you."

From then on I walked slowly with my eyes wide open. And let me tell you, I saw wonders, I saw miracles and I saw magic. And so will you.

Birthday surprise by green_kivi

I am a designer and decorator. I once designed the anniversary celebration for an elderly woman.
It was a surprise from her children. We inflated balloons, we created a composition of flowers and made a big poster with congratulations.
She was very happy!

Wolf man by Nenya (lost card)

She could hear him howl in the mountains, calling her, always calling her. Slowly she closed her eyes and exhaled. Hearing him broke her heart but she couldn't go to him, not during the full moon.
For a moment, she looked longingly at the mountains but then she turned around and walked into the tent.
The old woman across the fire watched her enter the tent and shook her head. If the young woman would think about what was good for her, she would forget the man who looked like a wolf.
But the old woman had been young once as well and she knew what it felt like to fall in love with a wolf man. If you fell in love with one of them, you could never go back and love another man.
She smiled kindly and knowingly when the young woman looked into her eyes and they sat in silence, listening to the howling of the wolves.

Friend by Iryna

We have been living together for more than seventeen years - I and my red cat - Vasya.
I remember him when he was brought to my home for the first time. It was a fluffy nubbin, travelling around the flat.
I remember him years later, running from one room to another, playing with his toys. We were best friends.
And now he is gone. I know that he will always be with me - in my heart.

When I was a little girl by Zertz

When I was a little girl, my parents had a meadow behind their house. They rented it out to a neighbour who used it as space for his horses. I loved to watch them.
Now I'm not a little girl anymore...the house belongs to me now and my parents...they built a house on the former meadow, part of a new neighbourhood. Unfortunately no place for horses anymore.

Solomon's dream by Tanya Reed

Solomon the horse had a dream.
In his secret soul, he longed to fly. In reality, he was just an old cart horse.
Day after day, he pulled a cart from his humble farm to the nearest town and back again. Year after year, all he knew was his stall, the cart and one small piece of road.
Time passed, and both he and the man who drove the cart grew older. Solomon became bowed with age and with grief as he eventually accepted that an ordinary horse is not born to fly.
Then, one morning, he woke up feeling younger than he had in years. In surprise, he unfurled and stretched the beautiful wings he had grown in the night.
Happy at last, Solomon flew, leaving his mortal body behind.

Bambi by PostMuse

Bambi and his friends spent lots of time playing in the woods, so it wasn't unusual when Thumper discovered Bambi had picked up a wood tick.
But a wood tick on one's butt is nothing to laugh at!
Bambi did, however, get a giggle from Flower, who thought blue posey applied to the tick might aid in removing it.

Lady Light by taxcha

How I end up on this side of the forest, I do not know. The sky is getting darker by the second and amidst fear, panic, cold, I must find my way home.

With me I have nothing but hope. I believe help will be given to those who help themselves in their own way. But after walking on what feels like an endless path, I'm beginning to lose faith.

And then I saw to my west, bright light shines through the trees from the moon. A big, beautiful full moon graces the dark sky with silver light as the cloud fades. At that time I know, Lady Light is giving me the help I've been desperately waiting for.

The Tree of Life by Ninja

And Mother Nature held it in her hands and weighted it. The good and the evil in the world. There was lots of evil. But there was also lots of good. She closed her eyes. She decided. As long as there was good in the world, the Tree of Life would grow.

The Lion King by minkero

The left zebra: "Can you feel the love tonight, dear?"
The right zebra: "Yes, I do, Elton."
The left giraffe: "Oh, look! It is Simba! Shall we go dancing later?"
The middle giraffe: "Yes! Let's do some samba!"
The right giraffe: "No, it's old-fashioned. Let's dance some zumba."
The right most flea on the tallest baboon: "Hurray Simba! I am here! Can you see me?"

Choice by LilithElina

"What choice do we have?" he whispered in her ear, his lips barely moving.
"There is always a way out."
"Yeah, sure. Death."
"So?"
"Seriously? You'd rather die than being forced to be with me? You want to make a statement? Start a rebellion or something? Of what use would it be to you when you're dead?"
"I'd be free..." She hesitated. "It's nothing personal."
He snorted. "Sure..."
Above them, high in the sky, the all-vigilant head kept watch over the world and the law.

Horsemanship contest by chenfeng301

I remember a couple of years ago, I have seen a horsemanship contest in Canada.
All those jockeys showed some great equestrian skill, and every of their action was followed by a burst of applause.

Orinoro Gorge by minkero

Orinoro Gorge is a narrow, deep gorge formed during the last Ice Age, and is located in Leppävirta, North Savo. Ori means stallion. It is said that stallions fell down to the gorge which gave the name Orinoro.
This card shows the origin of Orinoro, and the unicorns are the angel horses now protecting many visitors at the gorge.