The Time Keeper

The Time Keeper

Time, intangible but desirable, has created miseries to human beings. The first man on Earth to count the hours, who later became Father Time, is banished to a cave for centuries and forced to listen to the voices of all who seek more days, more years. Alone and desperate, he returns to the world after six thousand years and commences a journey with two unlikely partners: a teenage girl who is about to give up on life and an old business man who wants to live forever. To save himself, he must save them both. This novel inspires me to realize the true meaning of time and how precious it is.

Every man on Earth must have had such complaints: Why is there merely twenty-four hours a day? No sooner had we been born than we were chasing after time. Time is just as an indestructible devil that leaves many of us living in remorse and resentment. Man wants to own his existence. Nonetheless, no one owns time.

Throughout this novel, Sarah Lemon is the character that I identified with most. An independent but lonely girl, who has a crush on Ethan, treats her mom as a stranger. On learning that Ethan is just fooling with her love, she cannot help sobbing and her tears stream down her cheeks. What waiting for her is only blackness and solitude, and thus, a foolish thought flashes into her mind－suicide. The moment I read this, my heart sank and felt extremely sorrowful for this girl. As a teenager, I can somehow understand her feelings. Conflicts with parents and humiliation from classmates, these are what fill up Sarah’s life, yet she is never aware of how deep the love her mom has for her. So many nights her mom wishes to have her cuddling with her just as my dad is so desperate for an opportunity to have a daily chat with me. Nevertheless, due to his busy business life and my stressful school life, our relationship remains indifferent and cheerless.

In some aspects, I may lead a similar life as Sarah. However, this inspirational novel has taught me a lesson: Ends are for yesterdays, not tomorrows. We all yearn for what we have lost. But sometimes, we forget what we have. After reading this book, I shut my eyes and recalled those blessing memories through my life. Indeed. I am a blessed girl, and therefore, I should cherish the time I have with my family and be content with what I possess from the bottom of my heart.

The competition with time has worn away our smiles and happiness. Since people do their utmost to make the most of their time and spare no effort to make their life more efficient, our world has been given rise to a dreadful one. Less laughter is heard and fewer warm greetings can be seen on a street. With the advance of modern technology, material connections between people become stronger whereas spiritual ones grow weaker. There is no knowing if someday mankind should be capable of dominating time. Notwithstanding the feasibility, with endless time, nothing is special. With no loss or sacrifice, we cannot appreciate what we have.

There is a reason God limits our days－to make each one precious.