This is a written record of a dream I had the night of Saturday, Feb. 25, 1996- so I won’t forget it. It took place in late summer or early fall, at a theme park-like area; only instead of ferris wheels and concession booths, there were soccer games, kids throwing around a football, kids climbing trees, etc. Many kids from my Costa Rica trip this past summer were there, and even Doc, one of our chaperones. I remember getting there and walking past some guy named Gary, and Jeremy from my trip was telling me, “Paul, I really am getting sick of Gary. He really pisses me off.” This was about the third kid who had said this to me, but all I could say was, “Well, he hasn’t done anything to me,” and I walked off. I looked for something more fun to do, and eventually got lost in some woods. When I got out the other side, I saw a huge hill. My friend Brian and I think one other kid (who I didn’t know) were there, and they were sledding down the non-snow-covered hill. I gave it a try. Brian and I sledded alongside each other, and caught air off this huge lip, and we were about to land into a ditch, which would obviously hurt. Brian yelled out, “We’re gonna clear it!” and he made it over, but I landed right on the edge. It hurt, but I hobbled off, and said, “I’m gonna get my other sled.” Why I would have another sled available in the middle of August beats me, but I walked off. I don’t remember how I got back to the park, but I did, and I saw kids fighting with Gary. As I made my way back to the hill, I was intercepted by Doc and a few kids, who wanted me to throw around the football with them. I watched one kids paraplegically throw the ball two inches and walked away in disgust. I started walking back (for some reason, I wasn’t carrying my sled) and realized I had no idea how to get back to the hill. I saw a large house I hadn’t noticed before, and I decided to walk in. I immediately saw a few kids bustling about, apparently looking for something, and then I saw a fat lady dressed like a 19th century maid. She had a witch’s face and wielded a rolling pin. She was chasing the kids everywhere, and then I found a hidden stairway. We all ran up there (there were maybe five or six of us) and got to another floor. The lady was slowly but surely gaining on us, taking her time, when we found another hidden stairway. The next floor had a kitchen, like the two before it, but there were no hidden passages in there. We began checking closets and bookshelves, but to no avail. There were often some “decoy” passageways which led us nowhere, but also cost us time. Eventually, we moved up to the fourth and top floor, where the passages were even more well-hidden. We looked and looked until the fat lady came up the last flight of stairs. The scene looked like a 1950’s apartment- the walls were pale green, the refrigerator was antique-looking, the furniture had that distinct 50’s look, etc. We frantically searched until she had caught up with us. At that point she started beating us with her rolling pin, which inflicted more of a blow than one might think. So I grabbed an empty plastic water jug and slugged her in her jaw with it. I knew it wouldn’t kill her, but I figured it might make her lose her balance or something. Sure enough, she fell backward and down three small flights of stairs (shaped in a C-formation). I think she died, but we still looked for a passageway. Me and another kid went into the narrow, unlit kitchen, and opened what was supposed to be a pantry. On the door were written the words “The Fill.” We opened it up and slid down to a room I somehow recognized. It was covered with a green felt rug to make it look like a putting green. There were bowling balls everywhere- on trophies, in display cases, on the floor. In the far right corner a small chute emitted bowling balls covered with fabric. Some were covered with wool, some with felt, some with leather. The trick was to pick the ball with the right material on it to open the last passageway. Despite never having seen this room or this little fabric-ball game, I knew plush was the right one. I watched one kid throw a wool-covered ball up another chute, and the floor gave in under him. I threw the plush into the same chute, and escorted all the remaining kids to safety. As we made our way to the hill (we forgot our sleds), I woke up.
Dreams are deeply personal and can often reflect our subconscious thoughts, feelings, and experiences. In your dream, several themes and symbols emerged that may hold meaning related to your waking life. Here's an interpretation based on the various elements of your dream:
Theme Park Setting: The theme park-like area with kids playing suggests a desire for fun, freedom, and a return to a less complicated time in your life. It might symbolize a longing for leisure and joy amidst responsibilities or stresses.
Conflict with Gary: The repeated mentions of kids complaining about Gary signify underlying tensions or conflicts in your social environment. Since you responded by distancing yourself, it could reflect your desire to avoid drama or not take sides, indicating a diplomatic or neutral stance in social situations.
Exploration and Getting Lost: Your experience of getting lost in the woods might symbolize feelings of confusion or uncertainty in a particular aspect of your life. This could relate to choices you're facing or changes you're navigating.
Sledding Incident: The act of sledding with your friend Brian hints at shared experiences and camaraderie. The incident of clearing the ditch represents taking risks in life, where Brian's success contrasts with your near-miss. This may point to feelings of competition or the pressures of succeeding alongside peers.
The Fat Lady with the Rolling Pin: The maid-like figure can symbolize authority, oppression, or a controlling force in your life. The chase might reflect a sense of being pursued by responsibilities or challenges that are overwhelming. The rolling pin, a mundane kitchen object, turned into a weapon highlights how everyday pressures can feel threatening.
Hidden Stairways and Searching: The quest to find hidden passages could represent your search for solutions, freedom, or a deeper understanding of yourself. This part of the dream suggests that there are layers to your life or psyche that you are trying to uncover.
The Room of Bowling Balls: This unique room, particularly with its tactile aspect and decision-making about which ball to choose, indicates a blend of playfulness and strategy. It hints at the importance of making the right choices that align with your instincts and intuition.
Collective Safety and Teamwork: You helped other kids escape, emphasizing your leadership qualities and willingness to support others in difficult situations. This may imply that you see yourself as someone who guides or protects your friends or peers.
Overall, your dream reflects a blend of childhood nostalgia, social dynamics, personal challenges, and the navigation of life's tricky decisions. It suggests that you're at a crossroads, exploring your identity and relationships while confronting underlying tensions and responsibilities. It may also encourage you to engage with these thoughts consciously in your waking life to resolve any conflicts or uncertainties you face.