Fortune's Telescope
Once upon a time, lived an astronomer named Edward. He was an introverted man, finding solace in the quiet murmur of the cosmos, seeking answers in the patterns of celestial bodies. He lived in an old-fashioned house, away from the hustle of city life, on the outskirts of the small town of Coventry. Edward’s heart was devoid of riches and prosperity, but he was rich in curiosity and passion for the cosmos.
One star-strewn evening, a knock echoed through Edward’s quiet home. He opened the door to find a tattered old man. The stranger introduced himself as Christopher, a traveler from a far-off land. Edward invited him in and served him a warm meal. After Christopher had his fill, he offered Edward a token of gratitude for his hospitality. The gift was a telescope.
While it seemed ordinary on the outside, Christopher revealed the treasure was actually a Fortune's Telescope, capable of revealing aspects of the future based on the alignment of the stars. Skeptical yet intrigued, Edward accepted the gift.
After Christopher left, Edward employed his first attempt at using the telescope that very night, despite his skepticism. As he peered into the ethereal depths of space, his eyes fell onto an unfamiliar constellation. The telescope revealed a vision of the town’s bridge collapsing. Dismissing this as mere imagination, he carried on with his study.
The following morning, a crowd had formed near the river which ran below the bridge. The same bridge that possessed the strength of steel and stone had collapsed, just as Edward had seen it through his Fortune's Telescope. This terrifying confirmation of the telescope's power made Edward tremble with fear, yet also light up with excitement.
Over time, Edward began to understand the telescope’s power and found its capability fascinating. Regular stargazing wasn't just about studying celestial bodies anymore, but also trying to decode the pattern of events that would happen in the future.
One day, Edward saw a terrifying vision - a vision of death. His heart pounded as he saw his own funeral procession. He saw sadness in everyone's eyes and mourners all around. The telescope showed his lifeless body lying in a casket.
Edward was shocked and devastated, not knowing how to cheat his grim fate. He began to see life differently, valuing every precious moment he lived. Everything felt so fleeting, he saw beauty in the ordinary and embraced the imperfections of life.
In his final days, Edward made good use of the Fortune's Telescope. He helped others foresee dangers like forest fires, helped the town's farmer prepare for unprecedented storms. With each passing day, he brave-faced the eventual inevitable. He gave townsfolk lessons about reading signs from the stars, shared his knowledge of the constellations, and had a good time living his life to the fullest.
Sure enough, the destined day arrived. Edward breathed his last in peace, leaving behind an unsurpassed legacy. He had lived his last few days profoundly, finding joy in each moment, thanks to the Fortune’s Telescope and ultimately foreseeing his death had helped him embrace life more than fear it.
After Edward's passing, the townsfolk found his telescope. It was donated to Coventry's museum, paired with a heartfelt inscription, 'To view the cosmos is to understand life.', signifying Edward's life and his lessons.
In the end, Edward's life was a testament to human courage and resilience. He showed that knowledge of one's fate can be both a curse and a blessing. It could lead to fear and desperation, but it could also inspire one to live more awarely, appreciating the treasure of the 'now.', making each moment an invaluable piece of time.