The Price of a Wish

My first short story

In a hidden village nestled between ancient trees, there was a legend of a mysterious lake that granted wishes once every century. The lake was guarded by a gentle but fierce creature, the Seraphina, a majestic being with wings of silver and eyes that shimmered like the stars.One misty morning, a young woman named Elara, driven by a deep longing to heal her mother's fading health, ventured toward the lake. She had heard the whispers of the wish-granting waters but was warned that only those with a pure heart could make a wish without consequence. Elara, determined and full of love, believed her heart was pure.When she reached the lake, Seraphina appeared, her presence glowing with otherworldly light. "Why have you come, mortal?" the creature asked, her voice like the rustling of leaves."My mother," Elara whispered, her voice trembling. "She is dying, and I beg for her health to be restored."The Seraphina studied her for a moment. "To grant a wish is not without cost. Are you willing to face the consequences of your desire?"Elara nodded, unwavering. "I am."With a solemn nod, Seraphina dipped her wings into the water. The lake shimmered, and Elara's heart raced with hope. Suddenly, a pulse of light surrounded her, and she felt a strange warmth in her chest."You have chosen well," Seraphina said. "Your wish will be granted, but you must remember—every gift comes with a price."Elara hurried back to the village, where she found her mother, miraculously healed, sitting up in bed as though she had never been sick. Tears of joy filled Elara's eyes, but she soon felt a growing weight in her heart. Her body grew heavier with each passing day, as though the life force she had taken to heal her mother was slowly draining her own.On the eve of her 21st birthday, Elara understood. The cost had been her own vitality—her time was limited, but her mother lived, and that was all that mattered. She had made the sacrifice with a heart full of love, knowing that true magic was not without its price.The village would remember the girl who saved her mother with the purest of hearts. And though Elara's life was short, her legacy would echo in the songs of the trees, whispered forever by the wind.