The Keeper of the Golden Tree
In the village of Eldorado, nestled by the serene and sacred lake of Guanabara, there lived an old man named Pepe. A humble and dedicated farmer, Pepe was known far and wide as the 'Keeper of the Golden Tree'. Now, the Golden Tree was not a tree of gold but bore golden apples, each shinier than the ripe sun and sweeter than honey. However, it was unlike any tree on earth. It bestowed an apple only to the one who deserved it.
Every year, villagers would gather in Eldorado during the lunar eclipse in hopes of receiving the miraculous golden apple. The one who would get it was prophesied to be endowed with immense wisdom, good fortune, and a long, healthy life. Despite being the keeper, Pepe was never blessed with a golden apple. He, however, remained loyal to his duties and lived his life in simple contentment.
During one such lunar eclipse, a wealthy merchant named Carlos arrived in Eldorado. He had heard tales of the Golden Tree and its mystical properties, so he aimed to take home an apple to increase his already vast fortune. Unlike the humble villagers, Carlos didn't believe in destinies, so he approached Pepe with an offer. A vast amount of gold in exchange for an apple. Pepe, while surprised, humbly refused, saying that the tree does not give apples for material gains, but to those who're truly deserving.
Carlos, however, was unyielding. He bribed the council of Eldorado, ensuring that he received the golden apple. On the night of the lunar eclipse, under the shimmering moonlight, Carlos was named the person to receive the magical apple. The moment he approached the tree, a ghastly scream echoed throughout the village. The tree shriveled, its leaves withered, and the golden apple turned into a lump of coal. The Golden Tree was no more.
The village of Eldorado was distraught, for their symbol of prosperity was gone. The council turned against Carlos, who fled the village, but not before cursing Pepe, blaming him for the mishap. Poor Pepe was filled with guilt and sorrow. He had failed his duty to protect the Golden Tree, and because of that, his villagers had to suffer.
Pepe lived with this guilt, but he did not lose faith. He served the wilted tree, watering it, talking to it, touching its faded bark with hope and remorse. He kneeled by the tree during the day, and slept beside it at night, begging nature for a remedy.
One starless night, under the darkness of the new moon, something miraculous happened. Pepe, who had fallen asleep by the tree, woke up to a glow. There, before his eyes, stood the Golden Tree, revived in all its glory, radiating golden light illuminating the whole village. Joyous cries echoed through Eldorado, as the tree bloomed a single golden apple.
When Pepe approached the tree, it willingly dropped the apple into his hands. Overwhelmed, Pepe realized that maybe he was deserving of it after all. His years of love and dedication towards the Golden Tree, his humility, his faith was recognized.
Pepe lived a long, fruitful life, surrounded by love and respect. He nurtured the Golden Tree until his last breath, the golden apple serving as a token of wisdom and good health. His story is still whispered in Eldorado, the tale of their humble Keeper, who proved that sincerity and dedication did not go unseen in the eyes of the universe.