The Alabaster Rose🔊

Once upon a time, nestled in the heart of a small charming hamlet named Dorshina, resided a fragile girl called Iniya. Iniya was born with a heart defect that restricted her from most physical activities, but her spirit knew no bounds. She was an artist, and her canvas was the world; the world, as seen from her attic window, a visual feast of colours and characters of the hamlet. Her most intriguing subject of inspiration was the mysterious rose bush outside her window that never bore any roses.

Unable to resolve the mystery and venture outside, she'd often spend her hours sketching and painting the barren bush which she believed held some potent magic. Favoured by the townsfolk for her uncanny ability to capture the quintessence of daily life and its beauty, she was known far and wide for her artistry.

One day, a wandering bard named Réamonn made his way into Dorshina. Being famous for his lyrical storytelling and enchanted harp, the townsfolk gathered at the village square to listen to his tales. Iniya, confined to her window, managed to see the crowd and could faintly hear the melodious stories. Intrigued, she began to sketch Réamonn and his enchanted harp.

For every passing day that Réamonn stayed in the village, he became a part of Iniya's paintings. Observing this, her father brought Réamonn to her. She gifted him a portrait she had made of him, which left him awestruck. Touched by her talent and spirit, he expressed his gratitude by promising to narrate a story just for her.

It was a tale about an alabaster rose bush that bloomed only once in every three decades, and the magic surrounding it. The bush bloomed a single rose that captured the moon's essence and was hence, naturally glowing and ethereal. The one who possessed the rose would be granted a single wish. Hearing this, Iniya's heart fluttered with hope and anticipation. Could her barren bush outside the window be the same mysterious alabaster rose bush?

The next moonlit night, as the moon cast its silvery glow, her bush bore a single, glowing, alabaster rose. Tears welled up in Iniya's eyes as she placed her hand on the chilled glass windowpane, looking longingly at the rose. Her heart filled with an impossible yearning for that single wish—to have a normal heart.

As the dawn approached, Réamonn was departing from the village. But before he left, he approached Iniya's window. To her surprise, he held the glowing rose in his hand. He gently passed on the rose to her and asked her to make a wish. And she did, with all her heart.

Weeks passed, and to the town's astonishment, Iniya started to show unprecedented signs of improvement. Her drawings more vibrant, her spirit unbounded. The local healer confirmed the impossible truth—Iniya's heart was healed. The alabaster rose had granted her wish.

Réamonn's tales continued to inspire, making far-reaching effects as he crossed one village after another. And Iniya’s paintings? Well, they reflected the vivacity and fervour of a girl who was once confined to her window, but who now lived fully among the villagers, painting the world with her art and healed heart.