The Call of the Wind
In the quaint little town of Ripplebrook, nestled at the edge of the mighty mountain range, lived a humble woodcutter named Elias. Elias, a middle-aged man with stern features, soulful eyes, and a heart of gold, had been a woodcutter all his life, just as his father and their forefathers before him had been. The business of wielding an ax ran in his blood, and the comforting texture of the bark against his toughened hands was an old, familiar friend.
Elias held a profound respect for the forest that provided for him and his family. Every sunrise, he would disappear into the enchanting woodland, laden with lofty trees of all kinds. By sunset, he would arrive back home, pulling along his cart filled with a pile of carefully chosen logs. His ax, though rugged and worn out, was treated with the utmost reverence, for it was his companion in this routine task.
One winter’s eve, when the wind bit hard and snow blanketed the world, Elias noticed a mysterious glow emanating from a tree while doing his daily rounds. Intrigued, Elias went closer and found a golden tree with iridescent bark and turquoise leaves, shaking off brilliant dust that glowed intensely. The sight was ethereal, surreal, unlike anything he had ever witnessed. The tree seemed both ancient and lively, an enigma unto itself. Not knowing what to do, Elias decided to leave it untouched and returned home.
That night, a strange dream visited Elias. A soft voice echoed through his dream, “Help me, Elias! Set me free!”. Startled, he woke up in a cold sweat. He dismissed it until it occurred again and again, every night. The golden tree permeated his every thought, the strange plea echoed in his mind, and it became impossible for him to ignore that voice.
Guided by his unsettling dreams, Elias decided to confide in the oldest woman in Ripplebrook - Granny Zelda, who was well-versed in the lore of their land. Granny Zelda listened intently as Elias narrated his tale. She exhaled a sigh of understanding and began to recount the legend she had heard passed down in her lineage. The story told of a tree spirit trapped in a golden bark, waiting for its liberator. The spirit could only be freed by the ax of a true woodcutter - one who respects and loves the forest.
Moved by Granny Zelda’s tale, Elias knew what he had to do — he had to free the tree spirit. Braving the icy winds and trudging through the knee-deep snow, Elias reached the tree. The air stilled as he lifted his ax, and the force of the blow cracked far more than just the golden bark. An ethereal light burst forth from the fissure, dancing and swirling, gradually taking the form of a beautiful spirit.
Thanking Elias, the tree spirit - Naida, gifted him a magical ax that would never blunt and a bag that would always remain full of gold coins. She disappeared into the wind with a promise to keep the forest flourishing forever.
Elias returned home to a gleeful family, his heart light and free of the spectral voice. The golden bag's contents solved all their financial woes, and the magical ax kept him from overcutting the trees, thereby preserving the forest. Henceforth, Elias didn't just chop wood; he saved the forest one tree at a time.
This legend of Elias and Naida's encounter have been passed down through generations, as a tale of respect, courage, and conservation. Many years have passed since that fateful day, Elias was gone, but his spirit remained. The call of the wind, some say, still echo his tale, whispered among the trees of the ever-thriving forest of Ripplebrook.