Light of the village🔊

A place famously referred to as 'The village of the cliffs,' Salzira was vastly adored for its extraordinary rock formations, which towered over everything else and were the proud guards of the village. The village consisted mostly of humble fishermen families with a sprinkle of blacksmiths and shoemakers, all residing contentedly in the valley between the natural, rocky towers.

The picturesque and serene hills and rivers were just ornaments to Salzira's real gem - an old, mysterious lighthouse standing impressively tall on the highest cliff. Who built it and when, were questions lost in the echoes of time and fading memory of its oldest inhabitants, which only added to its enigmatic appeal and the thrilling fascination of outsiders visiting the quaint settlement.

But there was one youngster, Stalia, who was more intrigued than anyone else. Only 16 years old, she was nonetheless wise, curious, full of energy, and ready to uncover the secrets that the lighthouse might hold. The elders of the village often quipped, 'The spirit of the lighthouse resides in Stalia.' She would spend hours observing the lighthouse from the valley and nourishing her dreams of unraveling its mysteries.

One sunny morning, prompted by her unstoppable curiosity, she decided to embark on a journey towards the lighthouse. She dressed quickly, packed her sketchbook, a few tools, and a bottle of water, and commenced her exploration. As she steadily ascended the cliff, her heart pounded with anticipation. There was a sense of magic in the air that only filled her with more curiosity.

As she approached the lighthouse door, a sudden gust of wind surprised her. Gingerly pushing open the door, she stepped into an unperturbed calm. Dust danced in the shafts of sunlight invading the darkness. As her eyes adjusted to the semi-darkness, she started processing the sight. The very first thing she noticed was the spiraling staircase leading to the top.

Filled with excitement, Stalia began her climb. Each step creaked with history, and the walls echoed tales of time wrapped in a hush. She felt an uncanny sensation of traveling through time as she continued her climb. The higher she went, the more the atmosphere awakened—filled with whispers of secrets kept locked away.

Reaching the top, Stalia discovered an old, dusty room filled with nautical charts, seashells, and other lost treasures. In the center of the room sat an antiquated telescope pointing out towards the vast sea. The sight was breathtaking, but even more stunning was the realization that this place must have been the eye of the village, guarding and warning against dangers from the sea.

She spent hours sketching the room, each shell, the endless sea, and of course, the ancient telescope. As the sun started to set, Stalia exited the room and stepped outside to the edge of the lighthouse. Watching the sun dive into the seemingly infinite sea was the most beautiful sight she had ever seen.

Descend the stairs, Stalia felt different. The lighthouse was no longer a mystery to her; it was an entity filled with memories, experiences, and tales as old as the village itself. She yearned to share its stories with her fellow villagers and visitors, give back to it the respect and fascination it deserved.

In the following weeks, Stalia transformed the lighthouse into a heritage site. She cleaned it, retaining its rustic charm; she documented its history, made sketches, and turned it into an attraction. The villagers were at first apprehensive about this change, but seeing Stalia's dedication and love for the lighthouse made them realize what they had neglected. They started visiting it, learning about it, and enjoying the mesmerizing sunset views from above.

Stalia, with her relentless curiosity and determination, not only uncovered the hidden tales of the lighthouse but also turned it into Salzira's pride. 'The village of the cliffs' was now known as 'the village of the glorious lighthouse,' and it all began with a sixteen-year-old girl's courage to pursue her curiosity.

As the sage elders had told her once - 'The spirit of the lighthouse resides in you, Stalia' - she was indeed the light of the village.