The Spirit of Angel's Tapestry
There is a small, beautiful island in the Atlantic Ocean, nestled with a colorful tapestry of blooming wildflowers, the song of birds, and the rhythm of flowing streams. Its name was the Angel’s Tapestry. Known for its serene environment and indomitable spirit, it was a favorite among explorers. The island was home to a small tribe, Hiddal tribe, known for its spiritual connection with nature and the harmony they maintained with all living beings. As part of their belief system, they had never cut down a tree; they only used deadwood for their necessities.
An explorer known as Jonathan Derries, a British gentleman of prestige and scholarly pursuit, had heard about the spiritual tribe and their harmonious living with nature. Intrigued by this and fueled by his urge to learn, he set his course towards Angel’s Tapestry. Upon meeting the tribe leader, Old Tom, he asked, 'How do you manage to live so harmoniously with nature?'
With a kind smile, Old Tom replied, 'We believe in the One Great Spirit who connects us all. The wind that caresses your skin, the trees that shelter you, the rivers that quench your thirst; all are a part of that Great Spirit. So we respect, love, and live in harmony with all beings.'
Jonathan, touched by the wisdom of Old Tom, decided to stick around for a while to understand their customs and lifestyle. He learned their ways, their language, and their spirits. He saw how respectful they were towards the Mother Earth, how they used only what they needed, wasting nothing. They would return to the land with prayer and gratitude after taking anything from it. The people, the culture, the spirit of nature in that island touched him deeply and transformed his perception of nature.
One day, the island was hit by a terrible storm. It was a disaster like the Hiddals had never experienced. The storm was relentless and didn't differentiate between the tribe and the land; it hurt them both. By the time storm calmed down, life as the tribe knew it had changed forever. The village was destroyed, many of their nourishing trees were uprooted, and crops were ruined. The island that was once a tapestry of brilliant colors, now was a sight of sorrow and sadness.
Left with limited resources and no ways to communicate for help, tribe faced inevitable starvation. Despair filled the hearts of the Hiddals. Only Jonathan had access to the outside world via his ship which was miraculously intact. He proposed an idea of asking for help from the British Government which, in return, would claim the ownership of Angel’s Tapestry.
Old Tom was faced with a dilemma. He had to choose between temporary help and perpetual consignment of their homeland. He longed for the restoration of the island but not at the price of their freedom. With tear-filled eyes, he looked at Jonathan and said, ‘Friend, you taught us about the outside world. We learned from you, yet we also shared our values with you. We shared the One Great Spirit’s teachings. It now appears you haven’t understood.'
Jonathan, hearing this, felt a pang of guilt. He realized his mistake, and he roared with determination to mend his ways. He pledged not to exploit the tribe’s despair and decided to help them regain their island without any demands. Sending an SOS to the British government, he gathered necessary aid regarding food, medical help, and resources to rebuild their village.
He urged his fellow countrymen to respect the tribe's beliefs and wishes. He explained the Hiddal’s belief, their One Great Spirit, and their harmonious living. This new perspective moved many hearts. The British Officials agreed to support without any demands, and over time, the tribe was able to rebuild their homes and their lives.
In the following years, Jonathan chose to live with the tribe, partaking in their humble yet fulfilled lifestyle. He wrote numerous journals about them, the island, and their spiritual values which later were published and inspired many to live in harmony with nature.
Through the catastrophic storm, the tribe did not just rebuild their home but also managed to spread their wise teachings to the British people, even if it was in a small way. And the Angel's Tapestry, through its tribulations, became an embodiment of community, resilience, and harmony with nature.