BE Storybook

 Jenny was a force on the track. Her long legs, quick reflexes, and unrelenting drive had made her the best 110-meter hurdler at her school and no one could come close. She trained relentlessly, every morning before the sun rose and every evening after the last classes ended. Her schedule was filled with drills, sprints, and hurdle work, and she believed that if she worked harder than anyone else, victory would be inevitable. She knew she was better than her competitors, both male and female. She had the times to prove it, the titles to back it up. Her confidence was solid, but over time, it began to morph into something else: arrogance. Jenny didn’t just know she was the best, she felt superior to everyone around her. She didn’t need advice from coaches or peers; after all, she was already faster than anyone on the track. But one evening, during a particularly grueling training session, things didn’t go as planned. Jenny’s sprint down the track was flawless, until the last hurdle....

 Amina and Eli sat side by side on the couch, the soft hum of the baby monitor filling the quiet moments between them. Their daughter, Raynel, had just drifted off to sleep after what felt like an eternity of rocking, singing, and whispered reassurances. The dim light of the living room cast shadows on their tired faces, but it also highlighted something else, the unspoken connection that had carried them through the chaos of the past few months. Amina, who was black, and Eli, who was white, had always joked about how their relationship was a blend of two worlds. But now, as new parents, the differences between them sometimes felt like vast, unbridgeable chasms. Eli’s calm, logical approach to problems often clashed with Amina’s emotional, instinct and intuitively-driven responses. Where Eli saw a solution in a strict routine, Amina felt the need to go with the flow, to adapt to Raynel’s needs as they arose. One evening, after another marathon of late-night feedings and diaper chan...

 In a quiet corner of a vast garden, hidden among the thick green bushes, lived a small spider named Silas. His home was a delicate web that stretched between two branches of a bush, the threads glistening in the morning sunlight like strands of silver. For the most part, Silas was content. He watched the world around him, observing the way the wind made the leaves dance and how the birds flitted from branch to branch. But one day, a powerful storm rolled through. The wind howled, the sky darkened, and the rain fell in torrents. Silas's web, which had once been strong and intricate, was ripped apart by the fierce gusts. His home was destroyed, leaving him stranded in the middle of the bushes, shaken and unsure of what to do next. In the days that followed, Silas felt lost. His once-perfect web, a symbol of his identity and his sense of security was gone. The familiar comfort he’d known seemed so distant now. Every time he tried to build a new web, it fell apart, and each failure se...

 Grief can feel like a heavy fog, distorting the path forward as you search for clarity, direction, or even your true self. It creeps in unexpectedly, taking root in moments of doubt, loss, or regret. For many, this shadow becomes a barrier, making it difficult to step into the light of their own potential. But within this struggle lies an opportunity: wisdom. Unlike fleeting comfort or shallow affirmations, wisdom offers a deeper, more enduring guidance. It whispers the truths we often overlook, that loss is not a reflection of who we are and that pain, though intense, is not a permanent state. Wisdom gives us permission to feel, to heal, and, most importantly, to grow. When you find yourself trapped in grief, wisdom encourages stillness and introspection. It gently reminds you that while grief marks the end of something, it also ushers in the beginning of something new. Grief, then, becomes not a destination but a turning point, a chapter that makes space for self-discovery. True...

 Helene always believed in the transformative power of mindset, especially when it came to money. As a successful business owner, she had grown her enterprise from a small boutique to a thriving chain across several cities in four Caribbean islands. But Helene’s aspirations went beyond just her business. She envisioned a life filled with unique experiences — not just for herself but for her family. While many of her peers dreamed of luxury European cruises on massive ships, Helene saw something different. She imagined herself standing at the helm of her own yacht, guiding her family on intimate journeys across glittering seas. This vision wasn’t a passing fancy; it was vivid and tangible in her mind. She could almost feel the gentle sway of the ocean, the sun on her face, and the joy of sharing such a personal adventure with her loved ones. At first, the idea seemed audacious. A yacht was no small expense, and many around her suggested more practical goals. But Helene’s mindset was...

 Arianne had always been told she was beautiful. From a young age, she had a grace that captivated everyone around her, a presence that turned heads in every room she entered. Pageantry became her world, a stage where she could dazzle, impress, and win. But as she climbed higher in the world of crowns and sashes, something within her began to fade. As a child, she had been deeply connected to her emotions. She could feel the shift in the wind before a storm, sense the unspoken sadness behind a friend’s smile, and find joy in the simple beauty of a flower blooming. But as the competition grew fiercer, she learned to suppress these feelings. Winning became her only goal, and the desire to be the best drowned out the quiet voice inside her that once guided her effortlessly through life. One evening, after yet another victory, Arianne stood before a mirror, crown on her head, trophy in hand. The reflection staring back at her felt distant, almost unrecognizable. Was this truly who she ...

 Carmena had always been a force to be reckoned with. In the coastal city of Viña del Mar, Chile, she had spent years training for endurance events, her body carved by the ocean winds and mountain trails. When she qualified for the Patagonia Elite Triathlon, one of the most prestigious races in South America, it felt like destiny. But somewhere along the way, her confidence faltered. The pressure of expectations weighed on her. She started questioning if she truly belonged among the elite. Instead of pushing through, she numbed the doubt with distractions like late nights out with friends, endless scrolling through social media, indulging in shallow entertainment instead of grueling training sessions. At first, it felt like freedom. No exhausting swims, no aching muscles, just laughter, music, and temporary escapes. Weeks passed. Then months. The race loomed closer, and guilt gnawed at her, whispering reminders of what she was letting slip away. Yet, she shrugged it off. What if I ...

 Amery pressed the shutter button, capturing the golden hues of the setting sun filtering through the mangrove trees. Photography was his passion, but more than that, it was his livelihood. As a young single father, every shot that he made mattered. Each one held the promise of a paycheck, a meal, or a new pair of shoes for his six-year-old daughter, Samantha. His days started before dawn, preparing Samantha’s lunch, ensuring her uniform was neat, and walking her to school before rushing to catch the first light at the nature reserve. His clients expected breathtaking images, and Amery delivered, sometimes spending hours in knee-deep water, waiting for the perfect moment when a heron would take flight or a dragonfly would land on a lotus. It wasn’t easy. The exhaustion crept in late at night when he edited photos by lamplight, sipping reheated coffee. But every moment with Samantha, whether helping with homework, laughing over bedtime stories, watching her dance in the kitchen, the...

 Irma had always been drawn to the sound of the wind rustling through palm leaves. Growing up in the Caribbean, her world was filled with the rhythmic waves of the ocean, the laughter of children on the beach, and the aroma of tropical fruit carried by the breeze. Life was warm, simple, and familiar. But deep within her, a quiet yearning stirred — an urge to discover more about herself, her purpose, her being. One day, with the weight of uncertainty and hope in her heart, she decided to take a bold leap. Irma left behind the comforting embrace of her island home and traveled halfway around the world to the Philippines. She arrived in a bustling city that seemed alive with movement and sound, but different — almost chaotic — compared to the serenity she had known. Her first weeks were filled with challenges: navigating unfamiliar streets, tasting new flavors, and learning the nuances of a language she didn’t understand. She began to feel disconnected, as if she were gasping for air ...

 Tanya had always been a whirlwind of energy. As the founder of a fast-growing tech startup, her days were a blur of back-to-back meetings, endless emails, and late-night strategy sessions. She prided herself on her ability to juggle it all, but lately, something felt off. The spark that once fueled her creativity was flickering, and the passion that had driven her to build her company from the ground up was starting to wane. One evening, after yet another exhausting day, Tanya found herself staring blankly at her laptop screen. The words on the document in front of her blurred together, and for the first time in years, she felt stuck. She closed her laptop with a sigh and decided to step outside for some air. The night was cool and quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos of her day. As she walked through the empty streets, she noticed the sound of her footsteps echoing against the pavement. It was a sound she hadn’t paid attention to in a long time. She slowed her pace, allowing hers...

 Frances had always been a cautious woman. She kept her apartment immaculate, her routines precise, and her world small. The news of rising crime rates and the constant barrage of challenges in the world had only reinforced her decision to stay indoors. Her apartment was her sanctuary, a place where she felt safe from the chaos outside. But it was also her cage. Every morning, Frances would sit by her window, sipping tea and watching the world go by. She saw people bustling to work, children laughing in the park, and street vendors setting up their stalls. Yet, the thought of stepping outside filled her with dread. What if something happened? What if she wasn’t strong enough to face the challenges out there? The weight of confusion and fears kept her rooted inside, her days blending into one another in a monotonous loop. One afternoon, as Frances sat by the window, she noticed a flyer stuck to the glass. It was an advertisement for a community art class starting that evening. “Unle...

 Naldo had always been a dreamer, but he wasn’t just content to let dreams remain suspended in the air. At twenty-seven, he had already earned a reputation as a talented project manager, one who approached tasks with precision and passion. Still, despite his professional success, his heart yearned for something more profound: the adventure of starting a new life in Argentina, finding the love of his life  — someone he met on an online workshop  — and securing consistent work that inspired him. On a quiet evening, Naldo sat by his desk in his small office, surrounded by notes and timelines. His goals were simple but ambitious. The plan was divided into three clear steps: migrate to Argentina within a year, find steady work within the first three months, and build a home with someone who shared his dreams. It started with defining the vision. He jotted down his thoughts: "Why Argentina?" The reasons were both practical and romantic — an economy where his skills could flouri...

 Dominic had been tirelessly applying for jobs after finishing university, eager to start his career. One morning, he came across a promising opening at a reputable company and decided to submit his resume. The position aligned perfectly with his skills, and the company’s values seemed to resonate with his own. The night before his scheduled interview, Dominic meticulously prepared his portfolio, rehearsed common questions, and laid out his sharpest suit. His mother often told him, "Always look good eh, Dominic. You never know who’s watching." He hadn’t thought much of her advice until now, but he decided to heed it. Unbeknownst to Dominic, one of the directors at the company, Mr. Greaves, lived several houses down from him. Though they had exchanged casual greetings in passing, they had never had a proper conversation. To Dominic, Mr. Greaves was simply the neighbor with big house with the neatly trimmed garden and the fancy car. On the morning of the interview, Dominic set ...

 Izzy the iguana spent his days lounging on the warm rocks near the river, basking in the golden sunlight. But unlike the other iguanas, Izzy was convinced he was a chameleon. “I can change colors whenever I want,” he boasted, even though his skin remained the same vibrant green. The real chameleons, who spent their time shifting from brown to green to yellow, chuckled. “Izzy, you’re an iguana! You can’t change colors like us.” But Izzy ignored them. Instead of enjoying his powerful legs, his strong tail, and his ability to climb trees with ease, he spent all his time trying to “blend in,” convinced that if he just focused hard enough, he’d turn blue, red, or even purple. One day, while deep in concentration, he failed to notice the shadow gliding over him. A hawk was circling above, searching for an easy meal. The chameleons quickly shifted to match the branches and disappeared, but Izzy, so focused on what he wasn’t, didn’t move. Just as the hawk swooped down, a wise old iguana s...

 Sarah sat at her desk, her hands trembling slightly as she typed the last few words of her email. She’d been in the workplace for just under six months, but it felt like years. Every day, she walked the same tightrope between trying to blend in and keeping her head down. Her job was demanding, but it was the environment that wore her down. Brandon, a colleague who had been with the company for years, always seemed to find ways to undermine her. It wasn’t the overt insults or physical bullying that made Sarah's heart race; it was the subtle, passive-aggressive comments he made in meetings, the mocking tone he used when she spoke up, the way he rolled his eyes whenever she suggested an idea. Yesterday, it had been the “is a joke” comment after he made a sarcastic remark about her presentation skills. “Hard luck, Sarah, but I think my dog could do a better job presenting,” he had said with a smirk. The whole room had laughed, but Sarah had felt her face burn with embarrassment. She c...

 Vasant grew up in a bustling doubles shop in San Fernando, where the sizzle of frying bara and the wafting aroma of channa defined his childhood. His family had always envisioned him stepping into the family business, ensuring that the line of customers outside their stall never dwindled. And although he supported the business, making hundreds of doubles daily, Vasant’s heart belonged elsewhere — to the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, where coral reefs pulsed with life and mystery. Every Sunday, he’d escape the shop’s heat, borrowing a friend’s snorkel to explore the seas in Chaguaramas and the north coast. Beneath the waves, he found peace and purpose among the kaleidoscope of fish darting through shallow waters and the gentle rhythm of the ocean. He dreamed not of perfecting doubles recipes but of learning the secrets of the deep. One afternoon, as he packed channa at the family stall, a customer’s idle chat lit a spark in him. “Buccoo Reef in Tobago,” the man said with a kno...

 The Turner family had always called Biche home. Their sprawling land stretched as far as the eye could see, rich with rows of tomatoes, corn, lettuce, and peppers that danced in the sunlight. At the heart of it all was their small country roadside vegetable shop on the Manzanilla stretch, an old wooden structure with a hand-painted sign. The shop wasn’t much, but it was everything to them. Mrs. Turner would set out the day’s pickings each morning, carefully arranging the vegetables in neat, colorful piles. Mr. Turner tended to the farm, whistling cheerful tunes as he moved among the rows. Their teenage son, Ellis, was the friendly face behind the counter, always ready with a joke or story for the customers who stopped by. The Turners didn’t need much to be happy. Their fields yielded enough to sustain them, and the roadside shop brought in a steady stream of locals and travelers alike. Some came for the fresh produce, others for the conversations. The shop had a way of turning str...

 Gillian lived in a small, weathered beach house perched on the edge of the sea. Her days were tuned to the rhythm of the waves — their crash and retreat a constant reminder of life’s ebb and flow. Though the ocean was unpredictable, Gillian thrived because she was always prepared for what it brought her way. When storms gathered on the horizon, Gillian secured her shutters, stacked sandbags around her doors, and stored supplies. When tides pulled unusual treasures ashore, she gathered them carefully, using her collection of shells, driftwood, and sea glass to craft decorations she sold at the local market. Even on quiet mornings, when the sea whispered instead of roared, she carried a bag with tools for fishing or mending, ready to seize any opportunity the day offered. One morning, as she combed the beach for shells for personal craftwork, Gillian noticed something bobbing just beyond the surf. Wading out, she discovered a small, soaked boat with torn sails and a broken oar. Insi...

 Avril had always been the quiet one in the group, often standing at the edges of conversations, not fully engaging. She’d put on a mask, pretending she didn’t care, pretending she was fine. But deep down, she knew something was missing. Her friends had no idea how much she longed for deeper connections, especially with Tony, the guy who had captured her heart. Tony was warm, outgoing, and always seemed to be surrounded by people. Avril admired him from afar, but whenever they crossed paths, she felt the weight of her insecurity. She thought about what he might think of her — too shy, too aloof, not worthy of his attention. So, she kept her distance, silently longing for something she didn’t know how to express. One afternoon, after a particularly rough day of feeling invisible, Avril sat by herself on a short post near the marina. She gazed at the reflection of the trees near the water, their stillness and beauty striking a chord with her. She realized that she had been living her...

 Claudio stood at the edge of the river, his eyes tracing the outline of the half-completed bridge. The muddy waters below churned violently, swollen from the afternoon rain, while the dense Brazilian jungle loomed silently on either side. He had been here for weeks, working tirelessly, but the clock was his fiercest enemy. The project was ambitious — build a traffic bridge across one of Brazil’s most unpredictable rivers — and the timeline was tight. As a civil engineer, Claudio had become accustomed to pressure. In his line of work, deadlines were everything. If you didn't finish on time, the project was delayed, costs soared, and everything was at risk. He had a reputation for delivering on schedule, no matter what it took. Dream big, move fast, focus intensely, simplify commitments. That was Claudio’s mantra. He lived it every day, pouring himself into his work, cutting out distractions, and staying laser-focused on the finish line. But today, standing on that muddy riverbank, ...

 Douglas was an old sailor, his skin weathered and his eyes like the Caribbean sea itself — deep, constant, and knowing. His boat, The Sea Gouti, was as old as he was, its wooden planks creaking with the rhythm of the waves, its sails patched from years of service. But neither the boat nor Douglas were deterred by the storms that often raged across the islands. They had both seen more than their fair share of tempests, and neither feared them. One evening, as dark clouds began to roll over the horizon, Douglas stood at the helm of The Sea Gouti, a steady hand on the wheel, his gaze unwavering. The storm was coming, and it would be fierce. The winds howled and the sea churned, but Douglas didn’t flinch. He had sailed these waters for decades, and he knew the paths like the back of his hand. The old lighthouses, flickering in the distance, were his guides. Island to island, he had navigated through every kind of weather, always with a quiet confidence, for he knew the sea in a way th...

 Regina had always lived by others’ expectations — her parents’ dreams, her friends’ advice, and society's idea of success. But after graduating university with a business degree that felt meaningless to her, she decided to chart her own path. Sitting under an mango tree one afternoon, she asked herself: What makes me happy? Slowly, she realized her passion was creating — design, art, and experiences that sparked joy. In spite of her business degree and her parents expectations, she began nurturing her inner self, taking art classes, journaling, and surrounding herself with people who encouraged her creativity. Ignoring family doubts and societal norms, Regina started small with freelance design projects. One day, a local café asked her to rebrand their business — a turning point that validated her journey. Though the path was uncertain, it felt aligned with her values. Regina wasn’t afraid of change; she welcomed it. By defining herself with care and awareness, she built a life th...

 Liana had always dreamed of being recognized. As a young girl, she’d watch movie stars and musicians on TV, imagining what it would feel like to stand on a stage and hear the roar of a crowd. She wanted to be someone people looked up to, someone whose name people remembered. And when she got her big break — a viral YouTube video that launched her music into the spotlight — her dream came true. At first, it was everything she had hoped for. The phone calls, the messages, the invitations — it all felt like she was finally living the life she had always wanted. The applause was deafening. The recognition was overwhelming. But as the weeks passed, Liana began to notice something troubling. Every day, she would receive messages from fans and followers, telling her how much they admired her and how her success inspired them. But something was missing. The more people cheered for her, the more isolated she felt. It was as if the attention, while flattering, only deepened the distance bet...

 Bryce grew up in Laventille, Trinidad, a place known for a violent culture and economic challenges. The streets were lined with the noise of life — people hustling, neighbors chatting, some arguing, and the distant hum of a world that felt just out of reach. But for Bryce, Laventille was more than just the place he lived — it was the place where his dream was born. From a young age, Bryce was captivated by basketball. He spent hours on the rough asphalt courts near his home, dribbling, shooting, and dreaming. There was something about the rhythm of the ball hitting the ground, the swoosh of the net, that felt like destiny. He didn’t just want to play; he wanted to be the best. His ultimate goal? To make it to the NBA. But Bryce knew that dreams weren’t handed to anyone. They had to be earned through hard work, consistency, and sacrifice. Every day, he woke up early and by 6:30AM he was training, practicing shots, refining his moves, and getting stronger. His friends would be hangi...

 Tessa leaned against the balcony railing of the seaside resort she had managed for over a decade. The view, once her sanctuary, now felt like a taunt. Beyond the sparkling waves lay mounting financial troubles — a decline in bookings, overdue renovations, with employees and creditors growing restless. Each day felt like a tightening noose, and anxiety weighed heavily on her chest. Tonight though, as she sat near the poolside, the ocean breeze seemed different. It carried a cooling calm that made her pause. She inhaled deeply, letting it wrap around her like an embrace, quieting the storm inside her mind. “One step at a time,” the breeze seemed to whisper, “you don’t need all the answers at once.” Fueled by this fleeting calm, Tessa made a choice: instead of fixating on the enormity of the problems, she would focus on small, actionable solutions. She returned to her office, flipping open her laptop. First, she reached out to her most loyal guests, offering them discounted packages ...