Hey there , a little while ago I came across this short story , which has been attributed to Franz Kafka , and it really charmed me and it occurred to me that sharing it might offer some insights into your life as well . And I'm going to share my own short retelling of the story . And as you listen , notice what lost doll you might be carrying . Maybe it's something you've outgrown , or something that's changed shape or carries more or less weight in your life . Maybe it's something you're ready to meet in a new way . So relax for a second and just take a deep breath , and I'll just read this to you . It's called Kafka and the Traveling Doll .
Speaker 1In a Berlin park , a little girl stood by the path with empty arms and wet cheeks . I can't find her , she said as she sat down , defeated , on the park bench . A thin man came along and sat down next to her
and set down his hat , as if to make the day quieter . I can't find my doll , she said to him , wiping away another tear . Perhaps . He said she isn't lost at all , but only traveling Dolls are famous for that . The girl looked up unsure . She posted me a note , he added , lowering his voice the way one does for secrets . If you come tomorrow , I'll bring it . The next afternoon he arrived with an envelope , dear friend , it said in small , careful letters I left to see the world . I will write so you can travel with me .
Speaker 1And so the journey began . Each day there was a new letter from a rattling train window where fields slid by like pages , from a city square where pigeons held parliament , from a little boat that rocked like a cradle , the doll learned to bargain at markets ,
to read the shapes of clouds , to sleep in strange rooms and wake with brave eyes . The girl listened , holding the words like a handrail . She asked questions and received answers how a postcard can be a doorway , how a suitcase can be a spine , how homesickness is just love , with somewhere to go .
Speaker 1Weeks later , the man arrived with a small parcel and one last letter , dear friend . It said Travels change a person . I have grown A seam here , a stitch there , and I am ready for a new chapter . Please welcome the companion who arrives with this note . She will need your stories as much as you needed mine . Inside the parcel that the thin man gave the little girl on the bench was a doll , new to the girl , but not a stranger . The girl
studied the face , searching for old maps and new lines . She hugged the doll and in doing so made the change real .
Speaker 1The man putting on his hat said You've both been very brave . Will she ever write me again ? The girl asked she won't need to . He replied Now the adventures will be yours . They parted at the bend , in the path , the park , carrying their footsteps away , like a quiet promise . Isn't that a beautiful , beautiful story . If you'd like place a hand over your heart or your belly and ask yourself what am I ready to ? Let travel on without denying the love that's there . Let travel on without denying the love that's there . And what letter would it write to me today ?
Take one last slow inhale and a long , steady exhale . I'm Lisa Hopkins . Thanks so much for listening . If this beautiful tale sparked something in you , feel free to jot a few lines after the episode and maybe even a postcard from whatever is changing in your life . No-transcript .