The Halcyon Wish
Once upon a time in a quaint little village named Austere, lived an eccentric old man named Eben. Eben was not your typical elderly man; he was celebrated for his extraordinary powers to heal and was well versed in the ancient language of nature.
Raised by the village's wise old sage after his parents’ tragic passing, Eben grew up learning the art of nature's language, resigning from the worldly affairs. He could converse with animals, diagnose leaves' illnesses, order the wind to change its course, even plead the rain to shower upon the barren lands. He was revered yet feared, loved but also avoided; such was the paradoxical life of Eben.
One day, as he was tending to his medicinal plants, a peculiar bird came flying towards him. The bird was halcyon, his feathers reflecting the iridescent shades of the setting sun. It was not an ordinary bird but a harbinger of prophecy.
The Halcyon passed onto Eben a prophecy—'When the moon turns scarlet, a wish would be granted'. Eben contemplated the prophecy, wandering its plausible meanings. He was aware that a blood moon was to occur soon, but the part about the wish baffled him.
For weeks, he observed the celestial course, connecting it with the prophecy. He would spend hours conversing with birds, even trying to communicate his confusion to the returning Halcyon, which only greeted him with mysterious silence. The prophecy, like an enigma, had fastened itself on Eben's mind.
On the night the moon turned a fiery hue, the inhabitants of Austere were captivated by its beauty. Always humble, Eben, did not have any desire for himself. But his heart was moved by the villagers' long-held sorrows. He decided to wish for everlasting prosperity and happiness for Austere.
As the moon reached its peak, Eben closed his eyes and chanted his wish in the language of nature. The wind roared, leaves whispered, and the Halcyon sang a sweet melody. He felt a surge of energy passing through him. When he opened his eyes, everything was tranquil again, the moon was no longer scarlet, and the Halcyon was nowhere to be found.
Eben went to sleep with a heavy heart, hopeful that his wish for the people would come true. And it did. The next morning, Eben woke up to hear the village buzzing with excitement. The fields were flourishing, the livestock was multiplying, and joy had seeped into every corner. News spread, and people traveled far and wide to witness the prosperous wonder the little village had become.
However, something was off. With each passing day, Eben felt weaker. It was as though with every flourishing tree in the village, a part of him was withering. The village sage, noticing his dwindling health, advised him to consult the Halcyon.
Using the last reserves of his strength, Eben invoked the Halcyon. The bird, radiating wisdom, revealed the truth behind the prophecy. The wish indeed came true but at the cost of the vitality of the one who made it. The Halcyon warned that if not reversed, the wish could drain Eben's life out.
Struck with worry, Eben sank into deep thought. Then, with a sudden burst of insight, he made a choice. He chose the prosperity of the village over his existence. He embraced his fate with grace and made it clear to the Halcyon, who disappeared with a bow.
Eben passed away a few days later, with a peaceful smile on his face, leaving behind a legacy of sacrifice and prosperity. The village of Austere continued to thrive, remembering Eben as a man who spoke to nature and sacrificed himself for their happiness.
And so the story of Eben, the old man who exchanged his life for villagers' joy, lived on even after his departure, serving as a constellation of hope, sacrifice, and selfless love in their lives.