The Llama Who Dared To Dream
Latasha the llama had always felt out of place in her small mountain village. While the other llamas spent their days grazing lazily and gossiping under the shade of the ancient oak trees, Latasha dreamed of something more—something bigger. She didn’t know what it was, but deep down, she felt it pulling her, a quiet yet persistent whisper in her heart that said, you were made for more.
One crisp autumn morning, as the first light of dawn kissed the mountaintops, Latasha found herself gazing down the valley. Beyond the village, she saw the faint glimmer of a distant city. It shimmered like a promise of something extraordinary. She didn’t know what lay there, but it called to her.
“Latasha, why are you always staring off into the distance?” scolded her mother, Gloria. “The grass is here. The herd is here. You belong here.”
“But what if I don’t?” Latasha whispered, barely audible.
The other llamas laughed at her whenever she shared her dreams. “Latasha thinks she’s special,” they teased. “A llama in the big city? What would you even do there—become a model? Open a coffee shop? Llamas don’t belong in cities.”
The words stung, but they only fueled her determination. Latasha spent her nights gathering courage, and one morning, she made up her mind. With nothing but a scarf knitted by her grandmother and a small satchel filled with snacks, she began her journey down the valley.
The path was anything but easy. She faced steep cliffs, roaring rivers, and nights so cold her breath formed tiny clouds in the moonlight. There were moments she doubted herself. One night, as she lay beneath a blanket of stars, she thought, Maybe they were right. Maybe I should just go home. But then she remembered the whisper in her heart and the shimmer of that distant city. It wasn’t just a place—it was a symbol of hope, a chance to prove to herself and the world that she could be more than what others expected of her.
When Latasha finally reached the city, it was overwhelming. The streets bustled with creatures she had never seen before—foxes in suits, parrots running coffee shops, and even a bear selling handmade candles. She felt small, out of place, and very alone.
But then she saw a sign in a shop window: “Help Wanted: Delivery Llama Needed – No Experience Required.”
Latasha took a deep breath and stepped inside. The shop owner, a kindly old turtle named Mr. Timmins, looked up and smiled. “A llama! You don’t see many of your kind here. What brings you to the city?”
“I wanted to see if there’s more out there for me,” Latasha said honestly.
Mr. Timmins hired her on the spot, and for the first time in her life, Latasha felt like she belonged. She delivered packages all over the city, her long legs and sure-footed stride making her faster than anyone else. She became known as “Latasha the Lightning Llama,” a nickname that made her heart swell with pride.
As the months went by, Latasha didn’t just deliver packages—she delivered kindness. She learned the stories of the animals she met, offered a listening ear, and even helped organize a neighborhood festival. The city became her home, and Latasha realized her dream wasn’t just about leaving her village—it was about finding a place where she could shine.
One day, as Latasha stood at the top of a hill overlooking the city, scarf fluttering in the wind, she felt that familiar whisper in her heart again. Only this time, it said, You did it.
Latasha smiled. She had left as a llama searching for something more and discovered that the courage to follow your heart could lead you to places you never imagined.
Created By: Erica Latasha
