The Legend of Alina and the Gorgon🔊

Once upon a time, in the heart of the Emerald Valley, there existed a small, peaceful farming village named Arzing. People of Arzing were known for their unity, courage, and an enormous cherry tree known as 'The Lifegiver,' which symbolized prosperity and bounty for the villagers. This tree bore the most exquisite cherries, full of life and sweetness, unlike any other in the entire kingdom.

One fateful day, a ferocious beast known as the Gorgon appeared from nowhere, casting a dark shadow over the bright, sunny day. It was a loathsome monster, with the strength of ten men, the ferocity of a lion, and covered in scales tougher than any known armour. The villagers cowered in fear as it approached the Lifegiver, shook its mighty branches, and gorged on handfuls of cherries in sheer delight.

The horrified villagers could only watch as day after day, the Gorgon returned to feast on the cherries, leaving fewer for the villagers each time. The charmed tree was weakening, and so was Arzing's spirit. Despair began to take root, and hope was fast fading for these simple farming folk.

In their darkest hour, a young girl named Alina, who was known for her determined spirit and compassionate heart, stepped forward. She was a mere apprentice to the village blacksmith, not a mighty warrior, but the love for her people and land made her volunteer bravely, 'I will go forth and bargain with the Gorgon.' The villagers, though skeptical, felt a spark of hope ignite within their hearts.

With courage coursing through her veins, Alina bravely approached the Gorgon one fine dawn, armed with nothing but her bravery and a basket filled with the village's best cherries. The beast, amused at her audacity, decided to entertain her offer.

In the most respectful tone she fortified, 'Mighty Gorgon, we mean you no harm. But your feasting deprives us of our lifeline, The Lifegiver, leaving us famished and helpless. I humbly request you to spare the tree, and -'.

Before she could finish, the Gorgon bellowed, 'And what will I get in return, little girl? You think a tiny basket of cherries can replace my feast?'

Quick to think, Alina proposed, 'We can offer you something more valuable, more enticing. We have a blacksmith who can forge a magical scale-armor - an armor unlike any, which can make you invincible.'

The proposition intrigued the Gorgon. An invincible armor was a much more enticing alternative. The wise choice strategically, it agreed to wait until the armor was ready.

Alina, with her master smith and the whole village worked day and night, forging the magical armor. It was made from the finest iron the village had, infused with the Blacksmith's magic, and Alina’s courage. And thus, the once-in-a-lifetime masterpiece was created.

As promised, Alina fearlessly presented the shining armor to the Gorgon. It was sceptical at first but gave in to its greed and put on the invincible armor. Alina and the villagers then tricked the Gorgon into a trap set by the blacksmith, and he was captured. Although a beast, he kept his word, left the Lifegiver alone and moved towards the mountains, never to be seen again.

Alina saved Arzing and its Lifegiver from the Gorgon’s wrath. As years passed, her tale of courage became legend. She was remembered not as the blacksmith’s apprentice, but as Arzing’s Hero.

And so, the tale teaches us that whenever darkness looms, courage and unity always spark a ray of hope, proving that not all heroes wear armors; some create them.