The Ancient Legend Of The Sapphire Koi
Once upon a time, in the intricate maze of water canals that crisscrossed through the ancient city of Ebbing, the legend of the Sapphire Koi was born. Ebbing was a picturesque city built on water, lit with iridescent lanterns that flickered like stars reflected off the sapphire waters of its canals, giving the city its ethereal, otherworldly glow, amplified under the silver moonlight. Depending on the time of day and the angle of the sun, the water beneath the numerous arched stone bridges built over the canals would shimmer in a myriad of blues, earning it the nickname, The Teardrop City.
Nestled in between these meandering waterways was the bustling marketplace, a kaleidoscopic fusion of colours, scents, and sounds. Connection to the outside world, the market was the heart and soul of the city, pulsating steadily with the city's rhythm and life. Vendors lined the bustling streets with their stalls, selling all types of goods – from embroidered silks and jewelled sandals to aromatic spices and exotic fruits.
Amidst the hustle and bustle lived a humble fisherman, Lyndon, known for his pristine white hair as pure as the snow-capped mountains bordering Ebbing, and his azure eyes, as deep and mesmerizing as the city's bewitching waters. He lived his life with a simple routine: Eldest of five siblings, he took care of his family through fishing, a craft taught by his father, passed down through many generations.
One fateful night under a radiant full moon, Lyndon's nets caught something unusual; a fish of exceptional beauty, shimmering like a blue gem under the moonlight, a sapphire koi. Word spread throughout Ebbing of Lyndon's exquisite catch, a creature so remarkable that people claimed it was a gift from the moon herself. An aura of mystery surrounded the Sapphire Koi, and as the days passed, the city appeared more serene, more prosperous.
Intrigued by the city's prosperity, avarice cloaked the hearts of the ruling emperor Iskander, whose love for wealth surpassed that for his people. He demanded the Sapphire Koi, believing it to be a cascading fountain of fortune. Fearful for his family, Lyndon surrendered his catch. However, instead of prosperity, the imperial palace and the city began experiencing unending misfortunes. The city's vibrance began to diminish, the waters turning into dull grey, and the market losing its allure. It was as though the city's soul had been ripped out.
Iskander, filled with fear and regret, pleaded to the moon, begging her to save his city, promising he would return the Sapphire Koi. Under the full moon, he released the Koi into the canal where Lyndon had caught it. The next morning, Ebbing had transformed! The city regained its charming blues, the market bustled with vigor and joy, and the palace was rid of misfortunes. The Sapphire Koi became a symbol of the city, a blessing from the moon, only to be left untouched.
Decades passed, Lyndon became a legend, and his enchanting tale weaved into Ebbing's cultural fabric, narrated as the Legend of the Sapphire Koi: an eternal reminder of humility, and respect for nature. The Koi continued blessing the city from its waters, bringing prosperity to all who choose harmony over greed.
Every year on the night of the full moon, the people of Ebbing assemble at the market, lanterns floating up into the sky, illuminating it with their warm glow. Bathed in moonlight, they sing folk songs, make merry, honor the Sapphire Koi, and celebrate the legend of Lyndon the fisherman, unmistakably etching this mystical folktale into the heart of every child in the city. And so, the Legend of the Sapphire Koi, like the waters that nourish the city, forever flows, as eternal as the moon herself.