The Golden Weaver of Goldendale🔊

In the picturesque village of Goldendale, there lived a simple and kind weaver named Elias. He had an extraordinary ability to weave the loveliest pieces of cloth from the most mundane threads. Each piece was like a tapestry, telling tales of the seasons, far-off lands and fabled heroes. But, Elias was poor, and despite his talents, what he earned was never enough. He lived in a scrappy hut at the outskirts of the village with only his loom for company.

One bitter winter, as he was weaving by the flickering light of a tallow candle, a gust of icy wind swept into his hut, extinguishing the candle. Suddenly, in the pitch black, Elias heard a strange rustling sound, followed by a soft, alien voice, 'Elias, your kindness has reached the ears of the divine. We wish to repay your hard work. From this day forth, whatever cloth you weave from the dawn to dusk, will turn to pure gold at midnight.'

Overjoyed, Elias thanked the voice. The next day, he worked tirelessly, weaving the threads into a beautiful tapestry. To his astonishment, at midnight, it all turned into gold. Word of Elias's midnight gold started to spread. Soon, customers flocked to his humble abode, waiting eagerly for their share of golden cloth. Elias's fame reached the ears of the greedy king Malachi, who decided he must have Elias weave a golden tapestry for him.

Malachi commanded Elias to come to his palace and weave a great hall-sized tapestry illustrating his victorious battles. In return, Elias asked for peace for his village, to which the king reluctantly agreed. Elias worked day and night, his fingers moving like a dancer over the loom. On the seventh day, Elias, with a surreptitious spark in his ebbing eyes, presented the king with the finished tapestry. At midnight, the tapestry turned into a majestic golden display that left everyone in awe.

Days turned into months and then into years. Malachi, driven by greed, commanded Elias to weave endlessly, turning their agreement into a curse for Elias. But his dedication never faded, and his kindness remained unfettered. One day, he decided to challenge the king and wove an enormous tapestry illustrating the story of a kind-hearted king who was loved by his people and how his kingdom prospered. At midnight, the tapestry turned into a view that was more beguiling than any treasure.

Malachi, for the first time, was left speechless. He saw himself reflected in the cruel king of the plot. The next morning, he released Elias, granting him a bag full of gold and embracing a change of heart. Repentant for his actions, he relieved the village of high taxes and unjust rules. Elias returned to his village as a hero and lived happily, weaving his tales until his last days, leaving behind a legacy of courage and kindness that still echoes in the lyrics of Goldendale.