The Legend of the Star-Crossed Scarecrow🔊

Once upon a startlingly clear night, nestled in the heart of a sleepy village named Harmony, there lay a humble farm. The farm was renowned far and wide for its golden cornfields. They shimmered under the sun during the day and glistened under the moon at night. Dion, the landowner, took immense pride in his crops. To protect them, he had a particularly lifelike scarecrow he named Old Rye.

Old Rye took up its solemn vigil amidst the cornfields. The villagers often rumored that Old Rye was no ordinary scarecrow, attributing the bountiful harvest to its efficacy. Rumors persisted that Old Rye held a spark of celestial magic within his straw-filled bosom. Unseen by all, Old Rye watched over the cornfields, longing to experience life.

One day, a gentle wind breezed through the farm. Amongst its playful gusts was Rhea, the wind nymph. As she danced through the cornfields, she noticed Old Rye standing desolate. Rhea was touched by the scarecrow's yearning, mirrored in the stillness of his staked posture. Drawn by his peculiar energy, Rhea whispered a spell of life to Old Rye.

From then on, Old Rye found himself privy to experiences he had once yearned for as an inanimate guardian. His straw-stuffed body could feel the rustling of the wind, the warmth of the sun, and the chill of twilight dew. He could sway with the rhythm of the earth and listen to the silent whispers of the cornfields. However, he could only live till the last corn was harvested.

With its newfound life, Old Rye developed a fondness for something else—Stella. She was the village artisan who had painted Old Rye's face with her nimble fingers. Every morning, she passed by the cornfield, and her smile filled Old Rye with a warmth the sun could never provide.

One morning, Rhea noticed a change in Old Rye's demeanor. He confided in her about his delicate feelings for Stella. Empathizing with the scarecrow, she encouraged him to confess before the end of the harvest.

Days turned into weeks, and the last harvest day arrived sooner than expected. Old Rye gathered his courage and with every beat of his straw heart, he confessed his feelings to the townsfolk and Stella during the harvest celebration. There were whispers, laughter, and surprise, but what amazed them was the sincerity shining plainly in Old Rye's painted eyes.

Moved by his heartfelt confession, Stella admitted she had also noticed a change in the scarecrow and developed a fondness for him. Just as she was about to speak further, the last corn was harvested. In the silence of the sudden wind, amidst a gasp of the onlookers, Old Rye returned to being an inanimate scarecrow.

The legend of Old Rye lives in Harmony village. Each harvest season, children await the magical moment, and hopeful couples confess under the watchful eyes of the star-crossed scarecrow. And as for Stella, she became the guardian of the legend, each year painting Old Rye's face with fond adoration, waiting for the wind’s whisper to bring him life once again.