that he wanted to erase from his head were replayed in his dreams every night
and haunted him nonstop. The boy was terrified of falling asleep.
So one day, he went to the witch and begged.
"Please get rid of all my bad memories so that I won't ever have a nightmare again.
Then I will do everything you ask."
Years went by, and the boy became an adult. He no longer had nightmares.
But for some strange reason, he wasn't happy at all.
One night, a blood moon filled the night sky, and the witch finally showed up again
to take what he had promised in return for granting his wish. And he shouted at her
with so much resentment.
"All my bad memories are gone. But why... Why can't I become happy?"
Then the witch took his soul as they had promised,
and told him this—
"Hurtful, painful memories. Memories of deep regrets. Memories of hurting others
and being hurt. Memories of being abandoned.
Only those with such memories buried in their hearts can become stronger, more passionate,
and emotionally flexible. And only those can attain happiness.
So don't forget any of it. Remember it all and overcome it.
If you don't overcome it, you'll always be a kid whose soul never grows."
(Found here: It's Okay to Not Be Okay, 2020)