The Guardian of the Emerald Tree🔊

Once upon a time, in the outskirts of the city Shemford, nestled amongst the peaks and valleys of the mountain range, was the tiny hamlet of Redwood. The village was home to kind and hardworking people. Among them was a middle-aged man named Johnson, who had an astonishing ability to tend and understand plants.

Every corner of his little cottage was embellished with magnificent plants, their vibrant colors adding life to the quaint hamlet. His garden was magical in its own way; it was Johnson's Universe.

Often, travelers would stop to marvel at the beauty of his blooms. Yet, it was not just for the splendid scenery that he was known. There was something peculiar in that garden, which was a rumor among the locals - the Giant Emerald Tree.

Rumored to have magical powers, the Giant Emerald Tree was cloaked in myths and mysteries. Not everyone believed in the tales, but Johnson, he confided in them. He took care of the tree as if it was his family. As years passed, Johnson grew old and weary, but his love for the Giant Emerald Tree never faded.

One morning, while caring for the tree, Johnson found a small emerald rock at its base. He picked it up, expecting it to be just a polished stone or pebble, but then he noticed a spark in it, which he had never seen before. The whole hamlet talked about it, and the tale of the magic stone spread across the boundaries of Redwood.

Miles away, in the distant city of Aurora, where the throne was taken over by an unjust king, the tale of the luminous stone reached. The King's greed was aroused. He wished to own it, to make use of its supposed magical powers for his selfish purposes. Thus, he decided to take a journey to Redwood to acquire the stone.

Upon arriving, he demanded Johnson hand over the emerald. However, Johnson, knowing the king's unjust intentions, refused, stating the emerald was not for those with selfish desires. Enraged by the rebuff, the king threatened to burn down the village if his command was not obeyed.

Unmoved by the king's threat, Johnson reiterated, 'The emerald can't be seized by a heart filled with greed. It senses the purity of a heart.' The king, blinded by his aspirations, ordered his men to dig up the tree.

However, as soon as the soldiers advanced towards the tree with axes and shovels in their hands, they were thrown backward by an invisible force. Bewildered by the sight, the king ordered again, but the result was the same. Johnson, standing by the side, sighed and said, 'The Emerald Tree keeps its promise. It will surrender to no greed, only to a pure heart.'

With nothing in hand, the humiliated king returned to his kingdom. Meanwhile, Johnson's faith in the Giant Emerald Tree continuously grew stronger. With peace restored in Redwood, Johnson continued caring for his blooms and the Giant Emerald Tree. He was lauded as a hero, not just in his tiny hamlet but in the surrounding villages too.

Johnson lived the remainder of his life in tranquility among the blooms of his garden, cherishing the moments he spent with each sprout and bloom, nurturing the Emerald Tree, and believing in the magic and powers it held. His life teaches us the story of enormous faith, love, courage, and the conviction of a pure heart. The tale of the Giant Emerald Tree and its guardian continues to inspire everyone in and around Redwood, leaving us with the message that true power rests not in all the wealth of the world, but in a heart filled with purity and love.