Benevolence: The Stone of Change
In the gentle humdrum of the small town of Laderdale, where the mountains wore the white cloak of snow and breathtakingly ringed the peaceful surroundings, lived a warm-hearted boy named Alfie. Alfie, born to a farmer, grew up in simple splendor reveling in the serenity found in nature's bosom far from the city's hydra-headed anxieties.
Alfie had always cherished his wide green backyard, where he spent his sunny afternoons chasing butterflies and his starry nights dreaming of faraway places under the crystal-clear sky. One day while he was playing in his backyard, he found a small, shiny stone. Curiosity piqued, and he found it different from the typical rocks he used to encounter.
As days rolled into weeks, Alfie found himself strangely attracted to the stone. He would often find himself staring at it for hours, intrigued by the way it shimmered under different lights, subtle but fascinating. A month rolled by, and Alfie saw something even more astonishing: the stone began to grow.
The stone kept growing and turned into a big, glistening boulder within a year. Word spread around town, and it did not take long for the town’s folk to become anxious about the mysterious, ever-growing boulder in Alfie’s backyard. However, none dared to approach it, thanks to the array of strange behaviors that surrounded its existence.
Senses of dread, unexpected weather changes, and even an inexplicable sense of sadness seemed to emanate from the boulder. Town meetings were organized and debates held, but the phenomenon remained unexplained until Mrs. Greenwood, an elderly resident with an air of the mysterious, presented a most unexpected perspective.
She explained how in the olden days, Earth was home to supernatural entities known as the 'Benevolence', beings that could channel the collective emotions of surrounding beings and convert them into energy. ‘Benevolence’, considering humans to be their brethren, would keep the negative energy within themselves and release the feelings of happiness and peace. But as the ages had passed, humans forgot about them, and encapsulated in stones, Benevolence fell into a deep slumber.
Following Mrs. Greenwood's narration, the town started treating the boulder with love and positivity. As days passed, changes began to occur. The sense of dread turned into a sense of peace and well-being. The weather changed to a pleasant and soothing pattern. Small perks of happiness became integral to the town’s daily life.
A year passed, and one sunny afternoon, the boulder crackled. A small fracture appeared, turning into a wide crack. Suddenly, amid flash and sparkle, the boulder broke open, and a being of light emerged. A sense of sacred silence fell over the town. It was a 'Benevolence'. It swirled up into the sky, spreading a radiant white glow before it vanished.
Ever since the day, Laderdale prospered. The once simple town gained renown as 'The Happy Town' far and wide. Alfie, now a man, remembered the entity fondly. Under the star-filled sky, he often sat staring at the spot where the boulder once was, filled with gratitude for the change it brought.
The incident marked a life-changing episode for Alfie and Laderdale's inhabitants. The story served as a timeless reminder which said - 'Cherish the mysteries around you, they unveil themselves in the most precious ways possible'.