The Golden Feather
In a small village squeezed between steep hills and shiny water, there was a modest farmer called Elias. Each day, Elias worked in his fields constantly to cultivate his plants and feed his animals. Despite his tough paintings, his farm yielded best sufficient to get by way of, leaving him with little time or electricity for anything past his day-by-day toil.
One bright autumn morning, when Elias was ploughing his field, he saw something shining in the newly overturned soil. He bent down, picked it up, and saw a beautiful golden feather glowing brightly in the morning sun. He picked it up, admiring its beauty and wondering how it came to be there.
As he held the feather, a soft, melodious voice filled the air. “Elias,” the voice said, “you have found the feather of the Golden Phoenix. It possesses magical powers. Make a wish, and it shall be granted.”
Elias, startled but hopeful, closed his eyes and made a wish. “I wish for my farm to flourish, so I may have a better life and help my neighbors in need.”
The feather glowed warmly in his hand before it dissolved into a shower of golden sparks, which spread across his fields. His crops immediately began to grow taller and greener, his earth richer, and his cattle healthier. So overcome with thanks, Elias felt his heart swell with joy.
Elias being the source of wealth in a form of harvest became quickly known in the village. Instead of keeping it for himself, he distributed his produce among his neighbors so that no one lacked food. For his kindness and generosity all the village people love and respect him.
One day, a merchant who was on his travels learned of Elias’s extraordinary farm and decided to go there. The merchant promised Elias a rich recompense if he would only tell him the secret of his success. Remembering the magic feather and the essence of his wish, Elias just smiled and told, “The real secret is there–kindness and generosity. In selfless giving, when you do that, the world will repay your kindness abundantly.”
Although there was no secret to reveal and the merchant was deeply disappointed, he was equally deeply moved by Elias’s words. The merchant left his village and spent many long nights telling stories about the kind farmers, and how the good was rewarded by the Universe going to everyone in the village.
Elias went back to his modest farm, where the farm would always be rich in fruits and love. The farm of Mirasol flourished, and not just because the crops were abundant; the village grew and lived from the generosity Elias shared with them.
And so, Elias and his village lived happily, their lives enriched by the magic of the Golden Feather and the greater magic of a kind heart.