The Lily's Quest (From "Twice Told Tales")

"The Lily's Quest (From 'Twice Told Tales')" by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a story that captures the experiences of love, loss, and the meaning of happiness. The tale follows young lovers Adam Forrester and Lilias Fay as they search for the ideal place to construct their Temple of Happiness. Their journey through nature is tempered by Lilias's relative, Walter Gascoigne, who brings to light the sorrowful history of each potential site, contrasting the couple's optimism with a darker perception. As rejected locations accumulate, their search becomes burdened by a growing sense of despair and the tale turns tragic when they ultimately discover a seemingly perfect spot. The story culminates in the heartbreaking death of Lilias, leading Adam to understand that their envisioned happiness is deeply connected with loss. This realization transforms their Temple into a hallowed place that honors the eternal nature of happiness beyond physical bounds, offering a meditation on joy and sorrow.