The Tale of Forgotten Kingdom
In an era long past, in a time now forgotten, atop the highest hills and in the heart of a great forest, there lay a kingdom named Mesphia. Abounding in natural beauty and prosperity, its people lived in harmony, bound together by the golden rule of kindness. Their unity resonated in every turn of their lives, earning the kingdom the name 'The City of Smiles.'
One morning, a massive bird, gigantic as the sun, swooped down with a deafening roar, an unwelcome visitor casting shadow over the joyful kingdom. This ominous creature named Korva was a legendary bird, notorious in ancient folklores as the harbinger of misfortune. With each flap of his lethal wings, he brought gales that caused the trees to bend and houses to rattle. His eyes spilled terror, and the once joyous city became shrouded in a cloak of dread and fear.
The arrival of the Korva turned the joyous city into a gloom-filled realm. Crops perished, livestock dwindled, and laughter faded away. The darkness replaced the jovial spirit, and Mesphia became an echo of its former self.
Among the citizens, an old but intrepid heroine, Ada, surface. A woman stricken in age but brimming with courage. As a child, she partook in an ancient ritual that gifted her the power of ethereal communication, the gift to see and talk with the Spirits. Guided by the Spirit of Wisdom, she decided to confront Korva, seeking to restore her homeland.
Ada, despite the fear rattling her bones, approached the monstrous bird nestled on the highest peak. The mammoth Korva snarled, regarding the tiny human with disdain. Ada bowed low, invoking the respect of meeting an elder. Gathering courage, she asked why Korva had chosen Mesphia, turning their lives into a living nightmare.
Korva, with a voice that echoed thunder, explained, 'I am in pain. An ancestral arrow has been lodged in my right wing. I chose Mesphia, hoping the legendary kindness of its inhabitants might extend to a pain-stricken bird.' His fiery eyes softened, revealing his torment.
Ada sympathized with Korva and proposed to help withdraw the arrow. For this, she would need the strength of the townspeople, tied by the strong ropes of unity—a feat that seemed near impossible due to the fear revengeful Korva had imposed.
Nevertheless, returning to the town, she told the townspeople about the cause of their misery. She pointed to humanity’s greater enemy: fear and skepticism. She urged the town to assemble and help Korva, promising that his departure would restore Mesphia.
With unified strength, they reached the peak, their hearts pounding with fear and hope. They found Korva, eyeing them cautiously. Ada approached him reverently, laying a tender hand on his magnificent, wounded wing. Empowered by the unified spirit of the people of Mesphia, Ada braced herself, and with a strong, swift motion, withdrew the arrow.
Korva let out a roar not of malice, but of relief. The townspeople held their breath and watched as Korva, with a gentle nod towards Ada, sprang up, his wings hitting the air. He soared higher and higher, finally disappearing into the horizon, leaving behind a sky, bright and clear.
The balance was restored, the dark cloud over the kingdom of Mesphia had lifted. Laughter returned to the streets, crops thrived, and love flourished. The city of smiles had returned to its peaceful, harmonious existence, presenting a lesson in frightening times. When fear takes over hearts, hope and unity are the magic that sets everything right.
From that day on, the tale of the Forgotten Kingdom, the monstrous bird, and the brave old woman remained etched in the hearts of Mesphians—a tale to be carried on to generations.