Sapphire of the Sea
Our tale is set in the vibrant city of Durban, along South Africa's sunny eastern coast. Situated on a background of white sandy beaches with echoes of the wild Indian Ocean, Durban sings to visitors with its unique blend of cultural diversity and lively spirit.
Pele, our protagonist, was a humble fisherman, hailing from a lineage of seafarers. Throughout his 40 years, he remained an admirer of the sea in all its ruthless beauty. His only companion was an old, weathered dog named Gizmo who, like Pele, was also crusty from years of battling the harsh sea waves.
Pele didn’t have family, living a solitary life. His peers often considered him a recluse, but he found solace in the rhythmic crashing of the waves, the salty breeze that played with his hair, and the companionship of Gizmo.
One day, amid one of his solitary expeditions at sea, Pele's fishing net brought up an unusual catch. It was a large, cerulean clam. As soon as the clam touched Pele's scarred, sunburnt hands, it began to quiver, eventually opening to reveal a breathtaking sapphire blue pearl.
The pearl was unlike anything Pele had ever laid eyes upon; it gloriously mirrored the majestic sea and sparkled under the sunlight with captivating allure. However, rivers of wrinkles on Pele’s face seemed to deepen at this spectacle, ominously reminding him of a sailor’s lore he grew up hearing. According to it, such a pearl brought either vast fortunes or devastating heartache. His heart thudded in his chest with a mix of anticipation and dread.
Driven by curiosity and a pinch of greed, Pele decided to keep the pearl. To the townfolk's surprise, his fortunes did take a sharp turn for the better almost immediately; fish seemed to seek his nets, his shack weathered the worst of storms, and even Gizmo’s old bones regained some youth.
However, gradually, the sea transformed from its usual tranquil self to a feral beast. The waves roared dreadfully, making it impossible for the fishermen to catch their much-needed fish. The city’s heartbeat slowed with the angry sea, casting a gloomy shadow over Durban.
Driven by tales of his forgotten ancestry, Pele realized that his fortunes had reversed at the cost of his beloved city's shrieking pain. An all-consuming guilt began to gnaw at him. He decided to confront the brutal sea and return the pearl to its rightful owner.
As Pele faced the raging sea, clutching the pearl close to his heart, his weathered face softened, and he whispered a plea of forgiveness. He then threw the pearl into the depths of the ocean. Suddenly, the tempestuous waves began to recede in a humbling display, and the sea returned to its mellow rhythm, singing a lullaby to the relieved city.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, the folklore of the man who battled with the sea swept through Durban. Pele was no longer seen as a withdrawn fisherman but was now regarded as the city's saviour.
And although Pele might have been left without his precious pearl, he earned something more valuable: the respect of his people and the unwavering friendship of his beloved sea. From that day forward, he would often be found on his boat in the calm sea, Gizmo at his side, and his nets full of bountiful catch, accompanied by a sense of peace that connected him to the ocean and his city, under one harmonious melody.