Beneath the Saffron Sky
In the olden days of India, inscribed in the heart of Maharashtra, was the tranquil city of Pune. It seemed ordinary, but it held an extraordinary secret - the secret of the Saffron Sky. It was said that during every seventh Autumn, the sky of Pune would paint itself in magical hues of saffron that had mystical healing powers. This was, however, deemed as folklore and nobody actually believed in it, except for one little girl - Meera.
Meera was raised by her grandmother, Kusum. Their ancestral home was among the oldest in the city, with walls whispering tales of the mysterious Saffron Sky. It was Kusum who told Meera about the legend when she was just six years old. Since then, Meera had been eagerly awaiting the seventh Autumn, hoping to witness the miraculous transformation.
During the awaited year, Meera, now thirteen, saw her beloved grandmother falling ill. Kusum’s weariness made Meera’s heart bleed. She desperately wished for the legend to be true, for the Saffron Sky to heal her dear grandmother. But as the days passed by, Kusum didn't seem to get any better and the sky showed no sign of turning saffron either.
The night before the predicted day, Meera didn't sleep. She stayed awake, watching the sky from her window, praying. As dawn broke, she saw it - the Saffron Sky. It was a beautiful mix of shades mirroring the plight of Meera, the vividness of saffron blended with specks of golden yellow. This sight filled her eyes with tears and her heart with hope.
Running to her grandmother's sickbed, Meera ushered her outside. Kusum saw the same sky which she'd seen seven years ago. The sight washed her with a sense of calm, and she gently held Meera's hand. With her eyes shut and face basking in the sun's warmth, Kusum inhaled deeply.
The day passed, the saffron sky changed colors, but what remained constant was the bond of hope between the grandmother and the granddaughter under that magical canopy. The rest of the city, taken by surprise, gathered to soak in this spectacle, forgetting their woes and bickering, radiating positivity. Yet, nobody believed in the tales of healing, considering it just a natural phenomenon, except for Meera.
Several days passed since the saffron day. Kusum's health gradually improved and within a month, she was back on her feet, cheerful as ever. The doctors were amazed at her recovery but Meera knew it was the magic of the Saffron Sky.
The tale of the Saffron Sky brought a wave of unity and optimism throughout Pune that Autumn. It became an event celebrated every seven years with people from all walks of life becoming united under the saffron sky. Meera continued to view the event with the same belief and magic in her heart, passing on the story to her future generations.
Later in her life, Meera became known as the 'Lady of the Saffron Sky' and ensured that the legend stayed alive, keeping the spirit of hope and healing alive in the hearts of Pune's people. Even today, the city waits patiently for the seventh Autumn, as told in the story. The sky doesn’t always turn saffron, but that doesn't hamper the city's faith because they have witnessed its miracle and carry it in their hearts. The true essence, after all, lies not in the wonder of the Saffron Sky but in the belief that it manifested.