The Echoing River🔊

In a time long forgotten, in the quaint little town known as Gervais, an enchanting tale took place that still resonates within the hearts of its residents. Gervais was nestled by a radiant river called the Echoing River, which was rumored to grant a wish to the ones who honestly needed it.

The protagonist of our tale is a humble boy named George, who lived with his old blind grandmother. They were not wealthy but rich in their affection for each other. George's grandmother had only one desire, to see the world once again before she bid farewell to the mortal realm. Although George worked day and night to earn some money for his grandmother's treatment, his efforts were still short for the expensive surgery she required.

One evening, George sat by the riverbank, tears rolling down his tired eyes, praying for some miracle. As the twilight cast an orange hue all around, George's sorrowful sighs echoed against the tranquil river. Suddenly, he felt a faint tremor beneath his feet, and a mesmerizing melody echoed from the river, yet the surroundings stood silent. A glowing figure emerged from the water, her translucent blue dress shimmered under the moonlight, and her long hair flowed like the river itself.

The figure introduced herself as Echo, the guardian of the Echoing River. She told George that she had heard his desperate pleas and was moved by the pure intentions in his heart. Touched by George's wish to restore his grandmother's sight, Echo decided to grant his heartfelt wish. But there was one condition; George had to promise never to reveal the secret of the river, or the miracle would be undone.

Overwhelmed with hope, George agreed. When he returned home, he found his grandmother sitting up straight with a radiant smile on her face as she saw her beloved grandson standing in front of her. The miracle had indeed taken place.

For many years, George kept his promise. His grandmother enjoyed the beauty of their humble world, and they lived happily. But things took a turn when a wealthy businessman named Albert traveled to Gervais. Witnessing the unfading youth and the vibrant sight of a woman her age, he grew suspicious.

With his persistent inquiries and the greed to acquire the similar fortune for himself, he cornered George to disclose the secret. Torn between his promise and the mounting pressure, George made a fatal mistake. He breached his promise and revealed the secret of the Echoing River. Before he could comprehend the extent of his mistake, his grandmother cried out in despair, her sight fading away again.

Filled with guilt, George ran to the river, pleaded and apologized to Echo for breaking his promise. Consumed with sorrow, he fell unconscious on the riverbank where Echo emerged again. She looked at the unconscious boy and the tears rolling down his face stole her heart one more time. She decided to grant George one last chance, but this decision came with a heavy price. Echo would lose her magical capabilities and would become a mortal woman.

Without a second thought, Echo sacrificed her powers, and George's grandmother regained her sight. When George woke up, he saw a beautiful woman sitting beside him, her previously blue dress was now just a simple toga, and her hair did not flow like the river anymore. However, George recognized her immediately and was filled with gratitude and sorrow. He begged Echo to stay with them in Gervais.

Echo agreed to stay, choosing a life beside the river that she once ruled. George, Echo, and his grandmother lived the rest of their life cherishing each other. The tale of the Echoing River became a legend, the legend of sacrifice, love, and the power of a sincere wish.

And so, the river does not echo with any magical melodies since that day. Instead, it echoes with the laughter and tales of love and sincerity. All because a woman named Echo sacrificed everything for a blind old woman to see the world again and bothered to listen to a desperate boy's sigh.