Finn and the Eternal Winter
Once upon a time, in a small village nestled between the enchanting fragrance of pines, glistening snow-covered meadows, and crystal clear lake, lived a kind-hearted, and surprisingly clever boy named Finn.
Finn's parents, who were local weavers, were known for their unmatchable skills and creativity. However, the village’s precious tranquillity came under a shadow of fear when a cold-hearted witch cursed their lush lands with an eternal winter. Every effort made against the witch's spell turned futile.
The villagers lived in despair, battling the cruel winter, their hope dwindling like the dying embers of a fire. Finn, however, refused to accept this grim reality. A determined Finn embarked on the most dangerous journey anyone from his village ever auditioned for - to challenge the divinity of the mountains and the witch.
His journey was challenging, but his conviction was unshakeable. He crossed perplexing icy paths, climbed towering slippery mountains and encountered mystical creatures, which stood firm on his journey to bring back the joy of spring to his village. Until, one day, he faced his dreaded adversary, Maevra, the cold-hearted witch.
With her face as stern as a stone statue, eyes glowing like a moonlit night and arms waving menacingly towards Finn, Maevra was truly an intimidating sight. Finn, undeterred, stood his ground, remembering the plight of his people, the sight of his parents struggling against the icy cold, and the dying hope in the eyes of the villagers.
Summoning all his courage, Finn proposed a challenge to the bitter witch. If he could solve the mystical riddle she created, the witch would have to lift the never-ending winter curse off his village. Intrigued by the odds, Maevra decided to put the brave boy to the test.
She put forth her riddle, 'I can fly without wings. I can cry without eyes. Wherever I go, darkness follows me. What am I?' It was a puzzling conundrum. Finn began to convene his thoughts. As he pondered, his mind wandered back to a cloudy night in his village when the clouds had blanketed the moon and starlight, and during that time, complete darkness had prevailed.
A spark lit up in his mind as he associated that memory with the riddle. His voice sturdy with resolve, Finn answered, 'It is a cloud!' His words hung in the cold winter air for a moment before Maevra's stern expression transformed into one of sheer surprise!
True to her word, Maevra lifted the curse that had frozen the village in perpetual winter. Spring dawned, and the snow melted away, revealing the lush and lovely face of the village. Patches of green sprouted from the snow, and blossoms bloomed in an orchestra of colours, filling the air with their sweet aroma.
Finn returned to his village hailed as a hero, the one who had borne the brunt of winter cold to bring back the enchanting spring. His story of bravery and wit was written down and passed down from generation to generation, keeping hope alive, no matter the cold.
The legend of Finn reminded the villagers, and us too, that even in the most trying times, the warmth of hope should illuminate our path, and the persistence can make even the harshest winters of life bearable.