Down the Rabbit Hole

Down the Rabbit Hole 

I recently had the opportunity to work with world-class underwater photographer Brett Stanley to bring this pictorial story to life. I hope you enjoy the enchantment. 

Once Upon a Time...

...there was a girl who was lost. 'Isn't this how it always starts?' She couldn't seem to understand the way the world worked. She thought if she could figure it out she would be happier and more successful. One day, she left her flat on the East side and set out on a mission. She passed the bakery, the barber shop, and two more bakeries. She wondered why anyone in their right mind would open three bakeries on the same road. Let it be such a short road at that. Who ate all those pastries? Did people go to one bakery over another? Did the bakeries get enough business? Did one supplier bring all three flour and eggs? Her thoughts were interrupted when it began to rain. It began to rain so hard she thought her umbrella was going to collapse from the weight of the water. The umbrella did not collapse but the weight of the water was so great it knocked her tumbling down the street until she fell into the great Thames River. The water was surprisingly warm in the Thames for May and crystal clear. The current caught the umbrella and carried her rapidly around rocks until she had the thought "I need to breath". But, just then she saw something quite amazing...

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...The river seemed to come upon a dead end of sorts. She could see her reflection, but it was distorted. She could see her torn dress from the fall down the hill, her matted down hair from all the water and  the worry lines on her face from wondering if the bakers were making a living. She also saw a glimmering light. She couldn't quite make out where or why the light was coming from this reflection, but it put her at ease...

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...At just this moment a water nymph reached through the portal of light and grabbed onto the girl's hand to pull her through. The girl was startled, it took quite some time for her to come to her senses. The first things she noticed was that she didn't need to breathe anymore. The second was that she no longer felt the weight of the umbrella overhead, it had disappeared. The nymph said in a gentle voice. "Sweet, sweet girl, what are you doing in this place?" The girl explained she had no idea where she was or how she got there. The nymph explained that she was where the river meets the sea, and the sea meets the stars." ...

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..After more conversation the girl realized this nymph was old and wise. Wiser than any human the girl had ever met. She thought maybe the Nymph could help her understand the world. When asked the nymph laughed and laughed and gave a sly smile before responding. "Girl, you are courageous and curious. You traveled all the way here for an answer I cannot give you. But I can guide you"... ​

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.."drink this elixir and soon all shall be releveled". The girl took the teacup and quickly gulped the entire cup and  paused ... nothing happened. She asked "Is this just  Earl Grey tea?" The nymph laughed and said "Your answer is in the way you drank the tea. Did you enjoy it?" Utterly confused the girl said "well sort of. I mean I drank it so quickly, I don't know". Just then a light flashed above the surface...

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..."Do you see that girl, a shooting star. Do you know what that means?" No said the girl. "Well, it means you can have one thing your heart truly desires. but it must be just and right. Quickly girl make your wish before the magic of the stars leaves us." The girl thought about her mission, about the bakers, her reflection, the weight of the umbrella and the tea. She closed her eyes and made her wish...

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..When she opened her eyes the nymph was gone, but so were her expectations.

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VENMO

CREDITS:
Photography- Brett Stanley 
​Model, Styling and Author- Jessie Jewels