CHAPTER 17

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The woman smiled, and the cavern was filled with a warm, golden light.  "You have answered well,"  she said.  "You may leave this place, and return to the world of the living."  Ben felt a wave of relief wash over him.  He turned to go, but the woman called out to him.  "One more thing,"  she said.  "You must remember what you have learned here.  Share your knowledge with others, so that they may know the answer to the mystery of life."
As Ben made his way through the forest, he thought of all the people he would share the answer with.  First, he thought of his family and friends, and how he could be a better person to them.  Then, he thought of his community, and how he could make a difference in the lives of those around him. Finally, he thought of the world, and how he could help to make it a better place.  He knew that it would not be easy, but he was determined to try. After all, he had learned the most important lesson of all - love.
As the months passed, Ben put his newfound knowledge into practice.  He was kinder to his family and friends, even when it was difficult.  He helped those in need, no matter how small the act.  And he spread the message of love to everyone he met, in the hopes that it would make a difference.  And it did.  Slowly but surely, Ben began to see a change in the world around him.  People were more compassionate, more understanding, and more connected.  It was as if the message of love was spreading like a ripple in a pond.
As time went on, Ben began to notice a change in himself, too.  He was more at peace, more accepting, and more fulfilled.  He realized that the answer to the mystery of life wasn't just about how to treat others, but also how to treat himself.  He learned to love himself, flaws and all, and to treat himself with the same compassion that he treated others.  He learned that true happiness came from within, and not from the outside world.  And with that, he knew that he had truly found the answer to the mystery of life.
As Ben continued to live his life with love and compassion, he started to notice something else.  There was a lightness to his days, a sense of peace and contentment that he had never experienced before. Even on the hardest days, he was able to find joy and gratitude.  And he began to understand that it wasn't the big moments that mattered, but the small ones.  The moments when he took the time to appreciate the beauty of a sunset, or the sound of a child's laughter.  Those were the moments that made life worth living.

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