Winner in the Fiction/Non-Fiction — Children’s/Middle Grade (Ages 8–12) category and Finalist in the Fiction — Spiritual category in the 2025 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards, The Extraordinary Journey of an Ordinary Dragonfly is an enchanting, all-ages fable that blends gentle storytelling with deeper layers of spiritual meaning. It invites readers young and old to pause, reflect, and rediscover the quiet wisdom that lives within the natural world — and within themselves.

In the not-so-distant future, there is a hidden valley untouched by human hands — a place sheltered by steep mountains, ancient forests, and a serene lake where nature still breathes freely. On the morning of his transformation from a nymph in the water, a little blue dragonfly awakens to his first day of life. He marvels at the beauty around him, but questions arise within him too: Why am I here? What is my purpose? What lies beyond this life I’ve just entered?

A kindly grasshopper senses the little dragonfly’s longing and encourages him to journey across the lake to the great willow tree. There, the blind Mantis — a quiet prophet of remarkable intuition — may hold the answers he seeks. Along the way, the little dragonfly meets a gluttonous and greedy toad, a proud and power-hungry red dragonfly, a vain butterfly obsessed with her reflection, and a hungry yet empathetic bird whose kindness transcends instinct. Each encounter becomes its own lesson — testing his courage, compassion, and clarity of heart.

By the time he reaches the willow tree, the little dragonfly discovers that the answers he has been searching for were never far away. They were inside him all along, waiting for the right moment to be remembered. And what he learns beside the Mantis is not simply the purpose of his own journey — but a universal truth about life, transformation, and the quiet light that guides every soul.

Layered, reflective, and deeply resonant, The Extraordinary Journey of an Ordinary Dragonfly is written to be enjoyed on multiple levels. Children will delight in the whimsical characters and gentle adventure, while adult readers will recognize timeless themes of self-discovery, resilience, and awakening. Through simple moments and small creatures, the story explores big questions — inviting readers to look beyond appearances, trust their inner wisdom, and embrace the unseen connections that shape every life.

An uplifting tale with a spiritual heartbeat, this modern fable reminds us that wisdom often hides in simplicity — and that even the smallest wings can carry the greatest truths.