A Promise under the Rainbow🔊

Once upon a time, in a small village nestled between lush green hills and a sparkling blue river, lived a kind-hearted boy named Eli. Eli had a special gift; he could speak to animals and understand their language. It was a secret he only shared with his ailing grandmother, Mae, who raised him after the sudden demise of his parents. Despite the hardships, they led a peaceful life, enjoying the simple pleasures that their surroundings offered.

Every morning, Eli went into the forest to collect herbs for his grandmother's ailment. Animals of all shapes and sizes enjoyed his presence. They guided him to the rarest herbs, shared news about changing weather or a predator on the loose, and Eli would lend a helping hand to those in need. He had won their trust, and the forest was a second home to him.

One day, Grandma Mae's condition deteriorated. Myriad colors of fear clouded Eli's heart as the village doctor shook his head sadly, 'Only a magical herb—Rainbow Umbrella—can save her now. But no one knows where it grows.'

Remembering the 'myth' Mae once recited, Eli packed a bag and marched towards the forest with steely determination. His determination trembled in face of the dark forest. The path was covered in a thick fog and the silence hummed ominously. In trembling whispers, Eli communicated with the forest. He asked the trees about the 'Rainbow Umbrella', but they didn't know. He asked the river, the stones, the air, but they all returned with silence, amplifying his despair.

After some days, tired and distraught, Eli sat under an old Banyan tree. His despair called out to an unlikely companion—the lonely snake, Naga, who was banished from the animal kingdom due to a misunderstanding, causing him to live in isolation. Upon hearing Eli's story of desperation, Naga's hard exterior softened. 'I have seen that plant, boy,' he hissed, 'It is on the top of Omega Cliff, but it's a treacherous journey.'

Despite the danger, Eli held onto hope. Guided by Naga, they embarked on a challenge that would forever reshape their destinies. Their journey was no less than a heroic saga. They faced harsh storms, wild beasts, and the cliff that seemed to touch the sky. Each step tested Eli’s courage, but he had a promise to keep. For the first time, animals in the forest too put aside their fear of Naga, helping him and Eli in their quest.

Eventually, they reached Omega Cliff’s peak only to find the plant guarded by a magical wall of fire. Eli pleaded to the fire to let him through, but in vain. Seeing his distress, Naga offered a solution. He asked Eli to trust him and, putting his fear into his pocket, Eli complied. Naga shielded Eli with his body and slithered through the fire, undeterred and unburned.

Beyond the wall, they found a small cluster of Rainbow Umbrellas, their petals shimmering in voluminous colours. With reverence, Eli picked up a single herb, ensuring the plants' survival. He thanked Naga for his selflessness. His heart swelled with gratitude and he promised to help Naga reconcile with the forest animals.

Upon reaching the village, Eli quickly administered the magical herb to Mae. Like magic, her color started returning, breath steadier, eyes brighter. The villagers were awestruck, seeing Mae recover from the brink of death. Meanwhile, Eli kept his promise, narrating to the animals of the forest the brave saga of Naga. The merciless outcast serpent was now hailed as the honorable hero.

The once lonely snake found his way back to companionship, and the village savored the joy of Mae’s regained health. The story of a brave boy and his unlikely friend spread far and wide, becoming a folklore of courage and friendship. And in the heart of a simple village boy echoed the truth of life—a promise is not just a collection of words; it carries the weight of love, faith, and determination. For Eli, it was his promise under the rainbow.