The Whispering Pond
Once upon a time, in a remote village deep within the valleys was a mystical pond known as the 'Whispering Pond'. It was believed to possess an old soul that granted the deepest desires of those who believed in its power. The villagers lived harmoniously, all except one fellow, a young man named Hal, who was often filled with doubt and cynicism. He did not believe in the mystical powers of the whispering pond and often ridiculed those who did.
One summer afternoon, as the sun bathed the humble village in its warm glow, an elderly travelling merchant, named Faris, arrived. Faris was a kind-hearted man, with a gleaming smile that could put the sun to shame. He shared exciting tales of lands beyond the horizon that left the villagers in awe. Hal, intrigued by the merchant's tales, decided to meet him.
As Hal approached Faris with a curious glint in his eyes, he asked, 'Faris, is there any reality in the tales you've told us?'
Faris, looking deep into Hal's eyes, smiled and replied, 'Indeed, my lad, for those who dare to believe and have the courage to see it. You see, in every corner of the world, miracles are scattered like pearls in the sand. It's up to us to gather them.'
Hal, intrigued by Faris's word, questioned him further, asking about the reality of their very own whispering pond. Faris, a seasoned traveller, sensed Hal's scepticism and developed a plan to teach Hal a profound lesson of faith.
In the lifeless hours of the night, Faris took Hal to the whispering pond. Under the luminescent glow of the moon, the pond appeared ethereal. Faris handed Hal a tiny seed and whispered something into his ears. 'Believe', Faris urged as Hal scattered the seed into the mystical water.
Weeks passed and the seed started to sprout, forming a beautiful, uncommon lily. The villagers were left in awe, but no one was as surprised as Hal. Contrary to his cynical nature, Hal had wished for a miracle, which had come true. He started to acknowledge the magic around him. Hal’s transformation was, in fact, the greatest miracle.
Years later, Hal became a revered figure, guiding villagers with his wisdom, just as Faris once did. He guided many to learn what he had once learned from Faris- that miracles lay in every corner, you just have to believe in them.
Many years later, Faris returned to the village to find it thriving under Hal’s leadership. He admired the lily blossoming in the pond, which had grown even more magnificent over the years. Faris approached Hal and admitted something that left Hal dumbfounded.
'My dear lad,' Faris confessed with a chuckle. 'In our world, miracles are not what they seem. The seed I gave you was not from any mystical land, nor did it possess any magic. It was an ordinary water lily seed. The whispering pond did not make that lily bloom. Your belief did.'
After a moment of surprise, Hal broke into infectious laughter that echoed through the village. He understood the depth of the lesson Faris had taught him all those years ago. From then, Hal, with a renewed sense of belief, continued to nurture not only the lily in the mystical pond but also the spirit of his villagers, thus making his village the most prosperous among the valleys.