The Enchanted Mountain
Long, long ago, in a realm ruled by magic and mystery, nestled between the majestic mountains and the emerald waters of a tranquil lake, there was a little village named Ruthar. The tale I narrate today spins around that quaint village and a unique mountain, that everyone in the region referred to as, 'The Enchanted Mountain.'
Once upon a time, a peculiar incident occurred in Ruthar. A portion of the annual harvest disappeared overnight. Initially, inhabitants thought it was the work of a wild animal, but when the incident repeated, the villagers discovered it was not the act of a creature, but a curse. Every full moon, a portion of their harvest would disappear. Their food stores didn't diminish; they merely disappeared.
To save the village from starvation, brave men in Ruthar decided to seek out 'The Oracle,' a wise, mystical being residing on top of the Enchanted Mountain. Only The Oracle could break the curse and bring peace back to the village. A young, kind-hearted villager, named Atar, stepped forth and offered to undertake the dangerous journey. Gifted with a strikingly sharp wit and an adventurous spirit, Atar was the perfect candidate for the task.
He bade farewell to his family and left for the mountain carrying nothing but a sling bag filled with little food and a small vial filled with water from the sacred village well. Atar knew that the journey would be perilous and filled with countless tests that he had to pass.
His first test was crossing a vast, snake-infested field. However, using his sharp wit, he used a whistle made from a reed to mimic the call of a bird of prey, scaring the snakes away. The next test was crossing a gusty river. He creatively used his sling bag as a floatation device, navigating safely across.
Making his way through the dense forest protecting the Enchanted Mountain, Atar faced the last test: A gorge too vast to jump and too deep to climb down. It took him a moment, but he managed. Using the vines hanging around, he carefully crafted a rope and descended into the gorge, reaching the other side safely.
On the summit, he met The Oracle, a radiant lady glowing with an ethereal light. She revealed that the curse was a result of the villagers forgetting the importance of gratitude for their bountiful harvest. She advised that every full moon henceforth, the villagers were to celebrate ‘Harvest Gratitude Day’. On this day, they must feast, share their harvest with the less fortunate and leave a portion of it on the foothill for the wild creatures.
With a glad heart, Atar journeyed back, revealing everything to the villagers. They followed The Oracle's advice, expressing gratitude every full moon. From that day forward, the harvest no longer disappeared, and the village flourished with a bountiful yield. Atar was hailed as a hero, and gratitude became a tradition, creating a sense of unity and contentment among the villagers.
The story of the Enchanted Mountain and Atar’s bravery is still narrated among the villagers. The episode leaves us with the valuable lesson of valuing everything that nature bestows upon us. The tale reminds us that gratitude to nature costs nothing, but the joy of this simple act fills our lives with endless blessings.