The Journey of Silver Hooves🔊

Once upon a time, there was a village nestled in the heart of a dense forest. The inhabitants lived happily, surrounded by the wealth of nature, drawing their livelihood from farming, hunting and occasionally trading with the neighbouring villages. One among them was a simple lad, Eli, who was known for his kindness and an uncanny connection with the animals, a reason he was their favorite.

One sleepy afternoon, while Eli was strolling through the forest, he came upon a silver-furred deer, trapped in a hunter's snare. Unlike any deer he had seen, it had a shining silver coat, glowing in daylight and a unique set of antlers shaped like a tree with its branches. Seeing the deer struggling, he rushed to free it, communicating with gentle whispers, soothing its fears.

As soon as the deer was freed, it stood tall, looking at the boy with its deep blue eyes filled with gratitude. The deer seemed different, almost magical. It gave a nod of acknowledgment towards Eli, and in a blink, pranced into the forest, leaving a trail of silvery mist.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, but the memory of the silver deer was still fresh in Eli's mind. One day when the village was hit by an aggressive storm destroying their crops and shelters, everyone was worried. Food was scarce, and surviving winter seemed like a far-fetched dream. Eli remembered the silver deer and the silver mist it left behind and wondered if it could help them.

With a hopeful heart, Eli embarked on a journey into the forest, seeking the silver deer. He spent days and nights, seeking help from animals, showing them the silver antler he had found, the only remains of the 'Silver-deer' encounter. The bosom of nature responded back through rustling leaves and songs of birds, guiding him deeper into the woods. After several days, in an enchanted clearing, he found the silver deer, which still had the same glow.

Eli explained his plight and the adversity his village was facing. The Silver Deer, standing majestically, listened, and then it did something unexpected; it shed its silver antlers. The Antlers immediately transformed into a vast amount of grain seeds, enough to feed the entire village and replant their farms.

Eli thanked the Silver Deer and promised to honor the gift by ensuring the village would always care for the forest. He walked back to the village, carrying the seeds with help from the forest animals. The villagers were flabbergasted but wasted no time in planting the seeds. In no time, their farms were flourishing again, and the village was filled with a renewed spirit.

With their bellies full and their heart full of gratitude, the villagers understood the importance of co-existing with nature and maintaining the balance. Admiring Eli's connection with animal-kind and bravery, they appointed him as the Village Guardian. And so, the village thrived, with Silver Hooves' tale passed on from one generation to the next.

And somewhere deep in the forest, the silver deer with newly grown antlers continues to wander, a symbol of wisdom, blessing and balance between humankind and nature.