Lily and The Lost Peacock
Once upon a time, in a small village called Glenville, nestled snugly in the heart of a vast forest, lived a young girl named Lily. Lily was a dreamer, her vivid imagination her faithful companion in the isolated town. She was an artist at heart, and wherever she went, her sketchbook went along.
One sunny afternoon, a strange occurrence took place in Glenville. A circus landed. The circus caravan, decorated with colorful flags and lanterns, was teeming with jugglers, acrobats, fire eaters, and even animals of exotic breeds. There was an electric flamboyance about it which stood in stark contrast with Glenville’s quiet charm.
The arrival of the circus was nothing less than a spectacle for the simple villagers. Lily, in her usual inquisitive spirit, decided to venture into the exciting throng of visitors. As Lily moved through the bustling bazaar, her gaze fell upon a mysterious woman seated at a corner, away from the hustle. The woman was old, her hands decorated with henna, and she held a parrot by her side. The board hanging above read, 'Madam Rosmerta: The Fortune Teller'.
Intrigued, Lily approached the woman. The old woman gave her warm smile and invited her to sit. 'Would you like to know what the future holds for you, my dear?' she asked.
Lily agreed, following which Madam Rosmerta asked the parrot to pick one card from the deck spread out before them. The card depicted a figure of a woman with a lion. ‘Strength,’ Rosmerta interpreted. ‘A great adventure awaits you, my dear. Your courage will be tested, and it is your strength that will guide you to your destiny.’ She warned Lily that the path would be tough, but she should not give up.
Early next morning, a chilling scream rang through Glenville. The circus was in chaos. The star attraction, a rare white peacock, had mysteriously disappeared. Posters were put up, rewards announced, and search parties initiated, but all in vain. The once cheerful circus now bore a somber, anxious look. Lily instantly recalled her fortune from the previous day. Was this the test Madam Rosmerta told her about?
Motivated by her newfound purpose, Lily started her miniature expedition. She trusted her instinct and let nature guide her. Armed with nothing but her sketchpad and a handful of grains to attract the bird, she trekked into the deep forest.
After hours of aimless wandering, she heard a faint rustling in the bushes. Peering inside, she found the lovely creature trembling in fear. Lily slowly extended her hand offering the grains and whispered soothing words. Encouraged by Lily’s tranquility, the bird calmed down and accepted her aid. She sketched a quick portrait of the beautiful bird as a badge of her accomplishment.
The journey back to the circus wasn’t easy. The forest was now dark, and her path filled with thorns and brambles. But remembering Madam Rosmerta's words, Lily summoned her courage and couldn't let fear deter her.
Triumphantly, Lily arrived in the village with the white peacock at her side. The entire circus crowd erupted in cheer as they saw their prized bird. The relieved ringmaster thanked Lily, and the fortune teller winked at her, nodding in approval. ‘Remember, dear child, true strength lies not in might, but in kindness and perseverance,’ she mused. That day, Lily not only saved the peacock but her brave endeavor also brought life back to the circus, and she became a heroine in her tiny village.
And, whenever she doubted herself, she would look at the drawing of the white peacock and remember her courage and resilience in her heart, and inked on paper.