The Enchanted Violin
In the quiet and quaint village of Rosendale, lived a humble violin-maker named Efram. Although Efram was skilled in his craft, producing some of the finest violins, he lived a lonely and mundane life.
Every morning, Efram would wake up to the chirping of the birds, craft violins till dusk, and fall asleep straight away from exhaustion. Day after day, his life followed the same, unchanging rhythm. Efram was skilled in his work but never played the violins he made; he believed the joy of playing belongs exclusively to the violinist. Those who've owned and played Efram's violins were known far and wide for their talented performances, however, Efram himself never shared their spotlights.
One day, as Efram was doing his routine wood selection, he stumbled upon an unusual tree. The Ulmus Werthamii, a hybrid specimen known for its distinct hardiness and beautiful grain, perfect for making quality violins. He could hardly contain his excitement as he adroitly crafted a violin using the rare wood. He felt an uncharacteristic urge to play a tune before selling it off. It was a new feeling, something he hadn't experienced in the decades of his work.
Efram’s old, weathered hands glided gently over the strings, and as his trusty bow made the first touch upon the violin’s surface, it filled the quaint workshop with the most magical sound. It wasn't an ordinary violin; the richness of the timbre seemed otherworldly, the notes sent shivers down Efram's spine, driving him into a trance impossible to resist.
The magical harmony began transforming Rosendale; flowers blossomed, rain ceased, and even the fiercest of creatures fell under the charm of Efram's enchanted violin. Realizing its potential, Efram decided to gift it to the village, where its music could inspire and heal.
News of the magical instrument spread around, and soon people flocked to Rosendale to experience the enchanting melodies. Among the visitors was an arrogant prince, who, upon hearing the magical symphony, decided he must have the violin at any cost. The prince offered Efram gold, power, and titles but Efram declined. Angered by his refusal, the prince decided to seize it by force.
Late one night, the prince's men broke into Efram’s workshop and stole the enchanted violin. The prince ecstatic with joy ordered his court musician to play it. However, when the musician tried to play, all it produced were discordant notes. The prince, infuriated at the embarrassment, threw the violin to the floor, shattering it into pieces.
News of the violin's fate reached Rosendale. The villagers feared that the charm and joy brought by the violin was lost forever. Efram, however, was not one to lose hope. He gathered each piece of the shattered violin and retreated into his workshop.
Many moons later, Efram emerged. In his hands, he held the restored enchanted violin. When he played it, the soothing, magical melody returned, spread across the land and lifted the spirits of the villagers. The leader of the villager, in awe and admiration for Efram, not just for his craftsmanship but his unwavering spirit, proclaimed him the 'Savior of Melodies'.
From then on, Efram’s days were no longer monotonous, he played the violin every day, the magical music reverberating through the village, spreading peace, and happiness. As for the prince, he realized his arrogance had cost him dearly; he sought Efram’s forgiveness and learnt to respect the beauty and power of music. Efram’s magical violin not only transformed his life but also taught an arrogant prince a valuable lesson.