The Cobbler and the Dragon
Once upon a time, in a little village nestled amidst a dense forest, lived a humble cobbler named Simon. Himself and his wife, Lillian, eked out a modest living, but they were content with what little they had.
Simon was a man loved not only for his expert cobbling skills but also for his kindness. Generosity, despite his own poverty, marked Simon’s character. With whatever little he made he shared with those in need. The thing that brought him the most joy was seeing the smiles on people’s faces when he gifted them a pair of shoes they could otherwise never afford.
Meanwhile, in the dense forest that lay around the village, lived a powerful but benevolent dragon named Ignatius. Rich in ancient wisdom, Ignatius, a keeper of the forest, had watched generations of humans grow and change. He possessed a magical stone, said to have the power to grant one wish to the truly worthy.
One day, Ignatius decided to test the villagers to find one who is truly deserving of one wish. Transforming himself into a destitute old man, he made his way to the village. He met several villagers who treated him with indifference. But, when old Ignatius met Simon, he was welcomed into his humble home, provided a meal and mended shoes. Touched by Simon’s kindness, Ignatius revealed his true nature and rewarded him with the powerful stone.
Though shocked, Simon felt a wave of gratitude towards the dragon and was intrigued by the magical stone that had the power to grant one wish. He thanked Ignatius and decided to discuss about the wish with his wife. Lillian suggested that they should wish for the prosperity of their little village. Simon agreed with his wise wife, acknowledging that their joy had always been in the happiness of their neighbors.
The next day, Simon held the magical stone in his hand and made the wish. He stated ‘I wish for the prosperity of our village. I wish for happiness amongst all its denizens.' The stone glowed a fierce blue and then dimmed. The wish was cast and the stone lost its sheen, signifying that it had released its magic into the world.
In the following days, the village rapidly changed. The barren fields sprouted rich crops, the stream was filled with fish and the trees bore ripe, delicious fruits. The village was surrounded by a palpable aura of prosperity and happiness.
While Ignatius observed all this from the sidelines, he realized he’d made a wise decision. Simon and Lillian lived out their days in the thriving village they loved, their hearts filled with joy. The story of the cobbler, his kindness, the dragon, and the wish became a living folklore, passed down from generation to generation.