A woman was enjoying a peaceful afternoon nap when she had a very vivid dream.

In the dream, her husband surprised her with a beautiful pearl necklace.

It was elegant, expensive-looking, and exactly the sort of gift she had always admired in jewelry-store windows.

When she woke up, she found her husband nearby and immediately told him about it.

“I just dreamed that you gave me a pearl necklace. What do you think it means?”

Her husband looked at her for a moment, smiled mysteriously, and said,

“You’ll know tonight.”

That answer stayed in her mind for the rest of the day.

She began imagining all kinds of possibilities.

Maybe he had already bought the necklace.

Maybe he had remembered one she had pointed out months ago.

Maybe he was planning a romantic dinner.

By late afternoon, she was checking the clock every fifteen minutes.

Finally, that evening, she heard the front door open.

Her husband walked in carrying a small package.

Her eyes lit up.

He handed it to her with a smile.

The size was perfect.

The shape was promising.

She carefully removed the wrapping paper, trying not to look too excited.

Then she opened the package.

Inside was a book entitled:

“The Meaning of Dreams.”