The Fable of Granny Aileen and the Green Beast
In the quiet countryside of Ireland, resided a humble old woman known as Granny Aileen. From the day she was born, she was attuned with the nature, tending to all sorts of plants, herbs, animals, or, as she liked to say, her ‘little family’.
Granny Aileen had a secret, she had the power to communicate with the elements. It was comforting, having the whispers of the earth as her companion, calming as the water's murmuring flow, fascinating as the sequential dance of the fire, and the wind, it would carry tales from distant lands right to her.
One day, whispers of a foreboding calamity reached Aileen. The wind sobbed about it, and the fire danced with a frantic tremor. They spoke of a overgrown green beast rampaging through the villages, destroying the balance of nature. Granny Aileen knew she had to ensure harmony is restored.
Leaving her comforting cottage, Aileen embarked on her journey, relying on the whispers of the wind, to guide her. The treacherous path was riddled with cracked earth, dried-up streams and barren lands - a testament to the beast’s destructive force.
Emerging through the last of the wilted groves, Granny Aileen finally encountered the beast. It was massive, towering over the tallest of trees, its sickly-green scales glistening under the sun. Seeing Aileen approach, the creature growled, sending tremors through the dried soil.
Aileen stood firm, as the beast inched closer. Closing her eyes, she reached out to the elements. The earth under her feet hummed, the wind whirled, fire crackled in the distance, and she could almost hear the strained gurgling of distant water. With a calm whisper, she channeled all her inner strength into persuasive words, harmonizing her aura with the elements.
Suddenly, a vine sprung from under the beast’s feet, startling it into stillness. More vines followed, creeping around the large beast, binding it. The winds started whipping around them, the distant fire flared, and water rushed forth from underground streams, quenching the parched earth. The elements responded to Granny Aileen, reflecting her resolve.
The beast writhed and roared, trying to free itself. Aileen stood her ground, focusing on the elements, and began to talk to the beast, asking him to understand the suffering he had caused. She implored the creature to restore the balance of the nature it had disrupted.
Hearing Aileen's pleas, the green beast ceased his struggles. A glimmer of understanding, reflected in its eyes, as Aileen's sincere words sank in. Gradually, the beast started to shrink. The shiny green scales turned into a vibrant patch of moss and grass, its sharp claws morphed into sturdy tree branches and his fiery breath transformed into vibrant blooming flowers.
The beast had returned to its own true form, a lush green hill, a guardian of nature.
Granny Aileen returned home knowing that peace had been restored, leaving behind a story that the elements would whisper to generations to come. Even today, if you ever pass by an unusually lush green hill in the otherwise flat Irish countryside, know that you’ve encountered the beast-turned-guardian, whose story continues to echo in the whispers of the wind and the rustling leaves.