Have you ever considered how many living things there are on earth? Cleo asked. People. Animals. Birds. Fish. Trees. It makes you wonder how anyone could feel lonely. Yet humans do. It's a shame.She looked to the sky, now a deep shade of purple. We fear loneliness, Annie, but loneliness itself does not exist. It has no form. it is merely a shadow that falls over us. And just as shadows die when light changes, that sad feeling can depart once we see the truth.What's the truth? Annie asked.That the end of loneliness is when someone needs you. The old woman smiled. And the world is so full of need.
In a reflective conversation, Cleo highlights the abundance of living things on Earth—including people, animals, and trees—and questions how individuals can still experience loneliness. Despite this richness of life, Cleo observes that many people feel this emotion, which she believes is unfortunate. She contemplates the nature of loneliness, suggesting that it is not a tangible entity, but rather a fleeting shadow that can dissipate with the right perspective.
When Annie inquires about the key to overcoming loneliness, Cleo explains that true connection arises when someone is needed by another. This realization transforms the way one perceives loneliness, indicating that it fades when we recognize our value and purpose in the world. According to Cleo, the world is filled with opportunities for connection, emphasizing that each of us has the potential to find meaning and mitigate our feelings of isolation.
