The Feather from the Stars🔊

Once upon a time, in the crumbling ruins of Shudyar, a beautiful city once run by a mighty kingdom, lived an old man, Azhikan. He lived alone, frequented only by visitors curious about the city and its history, as he was the last descendent of the ruling families of Shudyar. On a sunny afternoon, as he was cleaning his ancestral house, he stumbled upon an ancient metal box. The box was rusty, almost falling apart, but when he touched it, he felt a strange warmth rushing through his body. Curiosity piqued, he opened it and found a solitary glistening feather. This was no ordinary feather, it shimmered in all colours of the rainbow and hummed a soothing melody. Azhikan instantly recognized it; it was a feather from the legendary bird, Swarnapakshi, that was thought to have been lost into the annals of time.

The legend stated that Swarnapakshi was a celestial bird, gifted to his forefathers by the gods as a beacon of peace and prosperity for Shudyar. The bird's glow illuminated the entire city, and its song was a melody of harmony that kept the citizens happy. However, during a gruesome war between Shudyar and its adversaries, the celestial bird disappeared, and darkness fell upon the city. The kingdom lost the war, and the city fell into ruins—Shudyar's illustrious presence was soon forgotten by the world.

Tears rolled down Azhikan's cheeks as he held the feather. He remembered the stories his grandfather told him about the prosperity brought by the celestial bird. A surge of hope infused him, and he instantly knew what he had to do; he needs to restore Swarnapakshi to bring back the lost glory of his city.

He set forth on a journey, with the sparkling feather as his only guide. He braved treacherous terrains, crossed mighty rivers, climbed insurmountable peaks, and traversed dense forests. Months went by, turning into years, and his quest seemed endless. The world mocked him for chasing an illusion, yet, he trudged on unyielding, fueled by the radiant hope the celestial feather instilled in him.

One day, on the extreme summit of Mount Vardez, he finally found an equally arcane box, identical to the one he found at his home. With trembling hands and breath held, Azhikan opened it to find another feather. But this one was ashen, lifeless, the immaculate glow of the magical bird had faded.

Tears brimmed in Azhikan's eyes, but instead of despair, it was a moment of epiphany. He realized that the celestial bird's glimmer wasn't in its physical appearance but its metaphorical presence. He noted that the power of Swarnapakshi resided not in the bird itself, but in what it represented: peace, love, and unity. Shudyar had forgotten these principles in the thirst for power and dominance, and thus lost the bird.

With newfound wisdom, he returned home, determined to renew the essence of Shudyar. Years passed, and Azhikan began teaching the children about tolerance, love, and peace. Slowly, Shudyar began changing. People started moving back; the barren landscapes gave way to green fields, and laughter echoed through the previously silent streets.

Shudyar's ruins were reconstructed into a thriving city, radiating with camaraderie and love. The once lost city was now a beacon of peace and a symbol of unity. The celestial bird’s song might have forever vanished, but Azhikan had managed to rekindle its spirit, thus creating a far greater melody - a vibrant and harmonious Shudyar.

In paying homage to Azhikan's relentless spirit, a colossal statue was erected at the city center bearing an inscription - 'In the pursuit of light, we found ourselves.' The city glowed in the brilliance of its revived spirit, signifying the metaphorical return of Swarnapakshi, and Azhikan watched it all with the glistening feather from the stars safely tucked away, serving as a reminder of his transformative journey.