The Fortunes of Raun🔊

Once there was a determined young boy named Raun. Raun was a farmer’s son in a remote, fertile valley nestled between the towering, snow-capped mountains. His father was an honest hardworking man who took immense pride in the fruits and crops he grew and the cattle he reared. The valley was their home, their livelihood and the repository of all their dreams.

Every night, Raun’s father would tell him about a mystical creature, the Golden Hind, believed to be living deep within the forest at the topmost incline of the mountain. The Golden Hind, according to legend, had the power to grant one wish to the person who could find and capture it. The people of the valley had always been tepid about risking their lives exploring the dangerous paths hidden amidst the dense flora of the mountain, but the story of the Golden Hind gave them hope and dreams of a better future.

Raun's fascination with the legendary creature intensified as he grew older, to the point where he decided to mount an expedition to find the Golden Hind. He left his family and embarked on a perilous journey to climb the daunting mountain. Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, but Raun’s determination didn't waver. His resolve was tested many times, with dangerous encounters with wild animals, bitter cold, and scarcity of food, but he pushed forward, his father’s stories reverberating in his ears.

After enduring immeasurable hardships, Raun came to a smaller valley filled with a forest of silver birch trees, their leaves shimmering in the sunlight. As Raun stepped into the glade, he caught sight of a magnificent creature with a golden coat that shone against the sunlight. It was the Golden Hind.

Fatigue and hunger evaporated from his body, replaced by joy and determination. The Golden Hind, aware of his presence, dashed into the forest. Raun chased after it, but it was swift and disappeared into the dense green. Raun was undeterred, his spirits still high, and he carried on with his exploration, hoping to encounter the Golden Hind again.

Days turned into weeks. Raun persisted despite the arduous conditions. Finally, he stumbled upon the Golden Hind, once again. This time he managed to capture it. The creature, on seeing the purity in Raun's eyes, submitted willingly.

Raun asked the Hind to bless his valley with fertility and prosperity. The Hind granted the wish, and as it sprinted away, it left behind a tree that bore golden apples.

When Raun returned to his valley after years, he was welcomed with aplomb. He gifted the golden apples to the people from the tree in the forest. As soon as someone bit into the juicy fruit, their health was restored, their muscles rejuvenated, and their spirits uplifted. Word spread through the valley, and people started visiting the tree for the golden apples.

Over time, the valley flourished. The crops seemed greener, the cattle healthier, and the people happier. The valley became known as the Prosperous Valley, all thanks to Raun's perseverance and the mystical Golden Hind.

In the end, Raun went from being known as a mere farmer’s son to the hero of the Prosperous Valley. His journey and the success of his homeland validated his sacrifices and hardship, filling him with a profound feeling of fulfillment.