The King and the Tree of Life
Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom, there was an aging king named Ollis. He had a beautiful queen, Maris, and two lovely daughters, Lily and Rose. The king adored his family and his kingdom, yet he was constantly troubled by a prophesy that had been delivered at his birth. It spoke of a devastating plague that would wipe out his kingdom.
Years passed, and the prophecy seemed to be a mere tale. But one cold winter, illness began to creep in, taking away joy from the kingdom. The king realized it was the foretold plague, and his heart sank. He called upon his advisors and the kingdom's healers, but none could find a cure.
Despite all his efforts to protect his daughters, both Rose and Lily fell ill. The fear of losing them and his beloved kingdom led King Ollis to make a difficult decision. He decided to set out on a journey to find the Tree of Life, a mythical plant believed to cure any disease.
Leaving his queen to govern in his absence, King Ollis ventured into unknown lands after bidding a tearful goodbye to his sleeping daughters. His journey was filled with numerous trials. He faced violent storms, unforgiving terrains, and even a vicious dragon guarding a golden treasure. But nothing deterred the determined king.
In one of his many battles, the king found an old, talking owl injured. The king took pity on the creature and tended to its wounds. The owl, named Oracle, in gratitude guided the king to the Tree of Life. Despite its plumage now gone white with age, Oracle proved a wise and shrewd guide.
They reached the garden wherein the Tree of Life stood. It was a splendid sight, glowing under the soft shimmering moonlight. However, they found a problem. The tree was dying too. The only way to retrieve its healing was to sacrifice something precious and pure.
After contemplating, King Ollis decided to sacrifice his golden crown - a symbol of his wealth, power, and royal lineage. This was no small sacrifice, for the crown was not just a physical royal emblem but a representation of his life's achievements.
As soon as the crown touched the roots of the Tree of Life, it started to glow, and a single fruit grew on its branches. But at the same moment, King Ollis started aging rapidly, his hair turning white, and his strength draining away. Although shocked, Oracle quickly grabbed the fruit and helped the king back to their steed.
They raced back to the kingdom, where Queen Maris was on verge of despair. Oracle gave the fruit to the queen with instructions. She squeezed the juice into the mouths of her dying daughters. Almost instantly, color returned to their cheeks. The lethal plague seemed to have lost its grip.
News of the miracle soon spread across the kingdom, and the royal healers used the remaining seeds to cure the afflicted subjects. Tears of joy replaced those of sorrow, prayers of gratitude echoed in every corner of the kingdom.
As for King Ollis, he lived out the rest of his days in peace. He remained the king not by birthright now but by the love of his subjects and the sacrifice he had made. He was the embodiment of courage and selflessness.
The story of King Ollis' sacrifice and the revival of his kingdom is still retold in whispers, lullabies, and grand anthems. And so it is, the legacy of the king endured, not through his crown, but his noble heart and selfless act.