Ben and the Harp of Unity
In a land that time forgot called Aesthene, where lush forests intertwined with towering mountains and mysterious rivers stretched across the horizon, there lived a simple carpenter named Ben. Ben was renowned throughout Aesthene for his finely crafted harps. The melodies they produced were so heartrending that even the grumpiest trolls would find themselves shedding a tear. However, Ben had one dream which was yet unfulfilled: to carve a harp from the wood of the mythical Caecus tree.
The Caecus tree, covered in iridescent bark and silvery leaves, was known to exist only in tales. It was believed that a harp made from Caecus wood could produce music summoning love, peace, and harmony in all its listeners, helping unite all of Aesthene's creatures.
Consumed by the desire to create such a divine harp, Ben embarked on a hazardous journey to find the Caecus tree. He crossed raging rivers, ventured through shapeshifting jungles, and traversed treacherous mountains. Along the way, he encountered wondrous, magical creatures – pixies who mended his clothes, mermaids who healed his wounds, and dragons who lit the way in the darkest crevices of his journey.
After countless days and countless nights, he reached the legendary Halcyon Meadows. In its heart stood the magnificent Caecus tree, shimmering under the comforting embrace of the moon. But guarding the tree was a sight Ben hadn't anticipated: A majestic, silver-maned Sphinx, infamous for her perilous riddles.
The Sphinx pronounced her riddle: 'What runs but never walks, murmurs but never talks, has a bed but never sleeps, and has a mouth but never eats?'
Alarmed, Ben paused, piecing together a response. Musing over the riddle, he thought about his journey. 'Rivers!' he proclaimed, 'Rivers run, have beds, murmur and have mouths, but none of those actions are as humans do them.'
The Sphinx, satisfied with the answer, stepped aside, allowing Ben to approach the Caecus tree. His fingers traced the patterned bark, leaving a faint glow where he touched. With reverence, he chose a branch and began to carve.
When Ben strummed the Caecus wood harp for the first time, celestial music filled the air. He felt warm love pouring into his heart, tranquillity wrapping around him, and an insuppressible harmony flooding through him. His melody reached far and wide, touching the hearts of all in Aesthene.
The trolls wept their grudges away, dragons extinguished their fiery rage, and the discord across the land transformed into unity. Ben had achieved his dream not only of crafting a harp out of the mythical Caecus tree, but also of fostering peace and love in Aesthene. From that day onward, Ben's music echoed through the lands, serving as a reminder that even the most persisting dreams could manifest with courage and conviction.