The Wishing Pebble🔊

Once upon a time, in a quaint little village on the edge of a glistening river, lived a humble fisherman named Gareth. His was a simple life, divided between the boat, the net, and the fish. Everyone in the village loved Gareth for his kind heart and friendly spirit, but most admired him for his serene harmony with life, which could be seen in his deeply wrinkled smile.

The river had always been Gareth’s best friend. Over the years, it had given him his daily bread, the soothing lullaby at night, solace during his days of grief, and even a little mystical pebble. The pebble was small, spherical, and had an uncharacteristic glint. Gareth had found it in his net one day and since then, he had kept it as a lucky charm.

On one particular day, after a long and grueling session of fishing, Gareth, utterly exhausted, pulled his net out of the water. He was surprised to see, in place of the usual catch, a large, goldfish struggling for breath. Gareth freed it but the fish didn’t swim away. Instead, it transformed into a mesmerizing woman with golden hair and blue eyes. She was a mermaid.

'Thank you, kind fisherman,' she said, 'I was trapped in your net. Those who free me, the mermaid of the river, are entitled to a wish. Go ahead, ask anything you desire.'

A hill of gold, a life of luxury, prayed his logical mind. But Gareth, a contented soul, looked at the woman and said, 'I have everything I need. But I could use some good company during my lonely fishing hours. If only my little pet pebble could talk.'

Suddenly, Gareth felt some movement in his pocket. Startled, he pulled out the pebble, which had now grown a tiny face etched with worry. 'Oh, dear', the pebble quivered, 'Can we please get back to the water? It’s a little too hot and dry over here.'

Astonished and amused, Gareth jumped with joy. The mermaid smiled, bid him farewell, and dived back into the river. From that day forth, the pebble became Gareth's companion. It didn’t just talk but sang melodies, told tales of the river, the fishes, and the lands and civilizations it had been part of. It would chatter about the cosmos and the stars, and even give insightful and exciting fishing tips.

The word about his talking pebble spread around the village. People came from far and wide to witness this marvel. The pebble, unlike Gareth, loved all this attention, and it would often narrate a new story for every guest, always captivating their curiosity and leaving them bewildered.

Gareth's fishing routine was not tedious anymore. If anything, it had become a spectacle, something that the villagers looked forward to. He lived the rest of his life in joyous company, happy and content. Till the end, he caught fish, listened to the songs and stories of his humorous pebble, and laughed with the villagers. They danced, sang and filled their village with mirth and cheer.

The story of the fisherman and his talking pebble became a legend, tales of which echoed even years after Gareth was long gone. His was a life that started ordinarily but bloomed into an extraordinary tale seared in the memory of the river and its people.