A Gift From The Mountains
In a small intimidating village lodged between significant mountain ranges, lived a gentle woman named Lyla. She was well-revered and recognized in the township for her peculiar skills and special affection for birds. Deep within her little heart, Lyla held an immense love for all shapes and sizes of these winged creatures.
Every morning, when the crown of the mountains was still veiled with mist, Lyla would tread lightly into the woods armed with her bag full of crumbs. The woods would spring alive with high trills and melodious cooing as if welcoming their human friend. She would extend her arm towards the vast expanse of the azure sky, throwing the crumbs that created an explosion of birds in every direction. It was as if the wind itself stooped down to play with the birds, rustling leaves, and creating an enchanting spectacle.
One day, Lyla found an injured bird perched high atop a branch. Its left wing was broken, making it impossible to make it to the morning feast. Over the subsequent days, Lyla cared for the bird, providing it food and nursing its injuries, calling it Hope.
Months passed. The whole village was thrilled to see the incredible bond that had formed between Lyla and Hope. It brought a sense of fulfilment to Lyla, seeing Hope regain strength and eventually rejoin its family in the sky. However, Lyla felt her heart squeeze and flutter as she watched the last of Hope's figure disappear into the horizon, a sense of inexplicable loneliness invading her space.
Around the same time, the small village tucked away in the heart of the mountains experienced unprecedented hardships. The streams ceased their gurgling, the soil turned barren, and the livestock fell ill. The harvest failed continually and plunged the villagers into poignant despair. Unable to discover the logic behind these challenges, the villagers turned to Lyla in desperation.
Believing in the age-old too tale of the 'Great Spirit' embedded in the mountains guiding those in need, Lyla decided to undertake the daunting journey up the mountains. Although the trek was arduous and lined with many dangers, Lyla intended to plead the Great Spirit for her village's safety and prosperity.
As Lyla reached closer to the summit, to her surprise, she found a nest containing a single golden egg glistening in the sunlight. Ah, it was the rare 'Golden Hue,' a bird only mentioned in ancient folklore known for its magical properties. It was believed that the sighting of a 'Golden Hue' was a sign of prosperity. On finding the precious golden egg, Lyla realized that Hope was no ordinary bird but was the 'Golden Hue.'
Filled with excitement, she decided to bring the precious egg back to the village to invoke prosperity. As she carefully unwrapped the egg, it started glowing radiantly with golden light, enveloping the place. And as the glow settled, the villagers noticed a change: The desolate fields were now ripe with crops, the streams were gurgling again, the livestock healthy, and the air filled with joyous laughter.
The village, once hollowed out by hopelessness, was now brimming with life. Lyla's kind heart, vision, and courage had gifted the village a new lease on life. Her story of finding hope and salvation echoed across the valleys and over the mountains. And every morning, when the first rays of sunlight kissed the mountaintop, the villagers didn’t fail to notice the golden streaks that adorned the sky – the 'Golden Hue,' their beacon of hope, forever watching over them.