The Legend of the Golden River
Once, nestled on the slope of the great Kipsa Mountain, was the peaceful village of Zaina. The villagers lived off the land, primarily farming and herding, and their lives were simple, unadorned but harmonious.
Among them was a young boy named Lanu. Unlike others, he was neither robust nor skilled in work, but his mind was a fountain of creativity, always lost in the world of fantasies. Lanu had a chaste heart and was loved by all.
One day, while playing near the Kipsa, Lanu found an old bronze bowl buried in the ground. The bowl was engulfed with an unusual charm as the sunlight illuminated a golden hue on it. Filled with curiosity, he cleaned the dirt off, and suddenly, a shimmering sprite sprang from it. Startled at first, Lanu listened as the sprite introduced herself as Sheila, a fairy imprisoned by an evil sorcerer many decades ago.
Grateful for being released, Sheila decided to grant Lanu a wish. His innocent heart didn't yearn for riches or power. Instead, he wished for a river of gold to flow through Zaina, which could end his village's lifetime of hardship.
Sheila warned him about the consequence saying, 'The golden river will remain golden as long as it shares its wealth with selflessness; the day it becomes a symbol of greed, it won't remain golden anymore'. Lanu nodded, and the next moment, the Kipsa River turned into a glittering golden ribbon streaming through Zaina.
The golden river brought a newfound prosperity, transforming their simple village into a bustling town. For a while, Zaina flourished, and its people rejoiced in their good fortune; true to Sheila's condition, they shared the gold with each other and neighboring towns.
As the years passed, Lanu grew older, and the tale of the golden river and its condition faded into mere folklore. The river's opulence attracted more people, newfound inhabitants, thieves, and rich merchants, who didn't regard the tale or the condition.
The greed began to overshadow selflessness. Villagers began to fight over the river, causing chaos. Zaina, once a harmonious village, was lost in the gleam of golden dust. Seeing this, Lanu was heartbroken. He remembered Sheila's words and feared the worst.
One night, suddenly, the shining golden river turned into a regular river. The golden dust faded away, leaving only pebbles and sand. Chaos ensued amongst the people, their fortune lost, leaving them desolate and in despair.
Lanu, realizing what had happened, took the old bronze bowl in his hand and called upon Sheila. He apologized for not heeding her warnings. In his wisdom, he didn't ask Sheila to turn the river back to gold. Instead, he wished for the village to turn back to its old, peaceful, and simple ways.
Sheila, moved by Lanu's wisdom and repentance, granted his wish. Zaina was back to its serene, beautiful, farming village, creating an air of contentment and peace that once was lost. The villagers learnt their lessons, living their lives in humble gratitude, sharing whatever little they had with everyone.
Lanu, now an old man, smiled at this sight. His heart content, he passed away the following spring, leaving behind a legacy of wisdom and sharing. He was remembered not only for the golden river he brought but also for the peace he restored.
The legend of the golden river and the wise request of an old man lived on, bringing people from afar to visit Zaina, not lured by gold but by the tranquility that the humble village offered.