I dive into the banks of the river and my senses come alive. I look up and breathe in the scent of the canopy, the eucalyptus trees that have nurtured and looked after the river that my ancestors have been bathing and swimming in for thousands of years. I wriggle my toes in the majestic cool waters and dive my body into the memories of the river.

“Nagangbi, Bindi,” I hear a voice salutate me, softer than a whisper, but stronger than a thousand words. A shiver runs down my spine. What was that voice? How did it know my name? I rise above the water, and I see a leaf gently falling into the shining surface of the river. The sound of it falling is like a melody, soft but worth a thousand diamonds. When it lands, the river shines bright, brighter than all of the stars in the galaxy. My big brown eyes widen. It makes me truly believe that our country is so beautiful, a library of stories and memories of the past.

I descend back into the waters and I hear another voice this time, rough as gravel but tender and loving as a father. I hear him usher to me softly, “Bindi, never stop dreaming, your dreams will take you on a journey of happiness, and joy”. I ascend atop the glimmering water, and ponder thoughtfully…. What are these voices? Are they the voices and memories of my ancestors who have come before me? I think about Uncle, with his eyes that twinkled like glass in the morning sun, about how he taught me that each ripple of the river will lead me to the voices of my ancestors and members of my mob from the past.

My body relaxes and I slowly manoeuver it onto my back so I can float in tranquility. Then, I hear so many serene and idyllic voices expressing to me in unison, “Those who lose dreaming are lost.”

“Wow,” I think to myself, fully mesmerised from the magic of the river and its enthralling memories and voices. Finally, I optimistically step out of the water with hope in my heart and my soul full of the love from my ancestors.