The Fable of the Forgotten Flame
In a quaint, little kingdom shrouded by the towering old oaks and ticks of pirouetting jasmines, there was a special flame, it was no ordinary flame, this was the Eternal Flame of Verita. The legend has it, this flame was a fragment of the first sunrise, when the world came into being, radiating the bright golden glow.
A large meticulous altar at the town center hosted the Eternal Flame. It was said to burn eternally, symbolizing wisdom, love, and courage, the virtues of Verita's people. It also had a unique characteristic; depending on the collective spirit of the people, the flame could change hues. The golden glow meant prosperity and peace, crimson indicated bravery, blue depicted wisdom, and if it ever turned violet, it signified love.
The Flame was under the guardianship of an ancient order, called the Protectors of Luminosity. An old, sagacious man, Solaris was the current Guardian. He was loved and respected, for his wisdom known to far reaches. His life was meticulously intertwined with the Flame, watching it evolve, changing colors, reflecting the spirit of Verita.
Then came a strange time, a grim wave sweeping the kingdom. An unknown disease, the Black Whisper, took hold of Verita. The people grew fearful; the verdant joy was replaced with a somber silence. Eventually, skepticism about the Flame's power started to creep in, pulling the hearts away from love, wisdom, and courage. The Flame flickered, growing dimmer with each passing day.
Witnessing his people's faith dwindling, Solaris felt a crippling worry, losing his spirit bit by bit. The Crimson flame turned pale, then blue, and finally, it stood a smoky grey, the symbol of despair.
But the Flame of Verita wasn’t ordinary; it wasn’t just symbolism. Legend had it that the Flame held a mystical secret power - the ability to cleanse what was corrupt, to heal what was frail. Yet, the Flame couldn't exercise this power unless the guardian invoked it and for that, like the Flame, the guardian’s heart must glow with love, courage, and wisdom.
Overwhelmed by the despair and gripped by uncertainty, Solaris felt helpless, inadequate. He sat by the Flame every night, pondering what was missing until one fateful night when an old tale recited by his father echoed in his mind. He called upon every single being in the kingdom the next dawn.
He addressed his people, 'Look around you, do you see fear? skepticism? or do you see courage to endure, love for your brethren, and wisdom in your patience? Faith is in the heart, dear friends. This Flame reflects us; it brews from our spirit. Let us recall what this Flame signifies, let's bring back our power.'
His words touched every listener. People found the courage to endure, wisdom in taking care of each other, and love that wrapped them like a warm blanket. The entire kingdom, including Solaris, looked at the Flame with merged hopes.
As their hearts glowed with faith, the Flame flickered, and transformed from smoky-grey to radiant violet. The air hummed with a magical energy as the Flame invoked its healing powers. Like an invisible wave, it swept through Verita, eradicating the disease.
Triumphant tears welled up in Solaris’s eyes; the Eternal Flame of Verita shone bright again. From that day forth, Verita held onto its faith with fierce tenacity, and the Flame never dimmed again. This tale of the Forgotten Flame remained a testament to the people’s resilience, inspiring generations that ‘To believe is to heal.’
This tale, my dear listeners, is not merely about a flame or a kingdom. It's about us; it's about the power of faith, and the magic that unfolds when we believe. So, cultivate courage, wisdom, love in your hearts and let your own flame glow bright.