Fairy tales for young and old ~ English version

Ineo's Heart

 Once upon a time, in a secluded forest, where the trees whispered secrets to the wind and the moonlight danced upon the leaves, there lay a hidden spring of crystal-clear water. This spring was not just any spring; it was the home of Ineo, a gentle and enigmatic water spirit. Ineo had a humanoid form, but his body was made of translucent, shimmering slime. A lily pad, adorned with a delicate flower, often rested upon his head, and he wore a robe woven from water moss.

Within Ineo's chest, visible through his glistening skin, lay a magnificent red gem. This gem, resembling a huge ruby, was not merely an adornment; it was his heart, his core, the very source of his existence. It pulsed with a soft, radiant glow, a testament to the ancient magic that sustained him. The gem's light would flicker gently, mirroring Ineo's emotions, casting a warm, ethereal glow through his body.

The villagers of the nearby hamlet revered Ineo as a deity, for he was the guardian of the miraculous spring. They would bring offerings of fruits and other delicacies, hoping he would grant their wishes. But Ineo, though powerful, could not grant wishes. His role was to protect the spring, a duty he had fulfilled for countless ages. The spring's waters held ancient secrets, their true nature long forgotten even by Ineo himself.

Despite his ethereal presence and the villagers' reverence, Ineo's heart ached with a profound loneliness. Each day, he watched from the water as the villagers approached the spring with their offerings, their eyes filled with awe and fear. They believed themselves unworthy to converse with a god, and so, whenever Ineo appeared to accept their gifts, they would flee, leaving him alone once more.

Ineo's longing for companionship was a deep, unspoken sorrow. He yearned for someone who would see beyond his mystical exterior, someone who would stay and talk with him, share stories of the world beyond the spring he was bound to, and perhaps even laugh together. The silence of the forest, once a comforting embrace, had become a reminder of his solitude. He would often sit by the spring, his translucent form shimmering in the moonlight, and dream of a friend who would break the endless cycle of isolation.

His heart was heavy with the weight of centuries spent in solitude. The villagers' reverence, though well-meaning, only deepened his sense of isolation. He did not want to be worshipped; he wanted to be loved, to be seen as more than just a guardian of the spring. He longed for the simple joy of companionship, for the warmth of a shared smile, and the comfort of a kind word.

One day, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the forest was bathed in twilight, a young man named Reece ventured to the spring. He was different from the others; his curiosity and bravery set him apart. He had heard the tales of the water spirit but was not afraid. He approached the spring with a basket of fruits and called out softly, "Ineo, guardian of the spring, I bring you these offerings."

Ineo emerged from the water slowly, his form glistening in the fading light. His heart, the ruby gem within his chest, pulsed with a hopeful yet cautious glow. He moved with deliberate gentleness, afraid that any sudden motion might scare Reece away.

"Thank you, kind one," he said, his voice like the gentle ripple of a stream, tinged with a hint of vulnerability. "But I am not a god, merely a spirit who guards this spring."

His eyes, like liquid sapphires, watched Reece intently, a mixture of hope and fear swirling within them. The thought of being left alone again was almost unbearable, and he silently prayed that this time, things would be different.

Reece did not run. Instead, he smiled and sat by the water's edge.

"I do not fear you, Ineo. I wish to know you, to speak with you. The villagers say you are lonely."

Ineo's eyes widened in surprise. His heart swelled with a mix of hope and disbelief.

"You would stay and talk with me?" he asked, his voice trembling with emotion.