Long ago, when the world was still young, there lived a man and his wife. They had no place to stay, and so wandered around the countryside, day after day, night after night. One hot, sunny day, they came to a field where an old and withered tree was growing. Weary from their travels, the man and his wife sat down under the feeble shade of the Tree to rest. Little did they know that this Tree was as old as the earth itself, and filled with incredible power. As they rested, they heard a voice whisper to them.
"Please, please, I am so very thirsty." Looking around, the man and woman could not find the source of the voice. "I do believe that it is this Tree speaking to us," exclaimed the woman. Again, the Tree spoke. "Would you journey to the lake not far from here and fetch some water to pour on my roots, so that I may drink and quench this undying thirst?" the Tree begged. Knowing that this Tree must be magical, the man and woman found the lake, and poured the water on the roots of the tree. Instantly, the Tree grew to be beautiful and vibrant, its canopy full and green. "Thank you!" it cried joyously. "To show you my thanks, I will give you this gift: in the years to come, you will be blessed with four beautiful daughters. To each, I will give one wish. But only one." The man and the woman thanked the great Tree, and went on their way.
Years later, the Tree's prediction came true. The wife gave birth to four beautiful girls, whom they named Sabina, Aurelia, Fabia and Laelia. Each was different in her own way. One day, the eldest, Laelia, ran away with a man. But despite her love for him, he left her and broke her heart. For a time, she wandered the world, with a heart that felt as cold as ice. She came upon a Tree, and sat by its roots, sobbing. The Tree spoke to her, and told her that it would grant her a wish. In her grief and anger at the man's betrayal, Laelia wished that the whole world would feel the same grief that she did. And so the world became cold, and as her tears fell, so did frozen water fall from the sky, and covered the ground with a blanket of white. This was the first winter.
And so it was for a time, until Sabina, the youngest, happened upon the Tree. She was tired of the cold, of the snow, and she wanted a change. When she sat by the Tree, and wished with all her heart for the cold to cease, so that she might see the flowers bloom once again, the Tree heard her desire, and granted it. The snow melted away, the flowers bloomed and grew, and so began spring. Amazed, Sabina ran to her two remaining sisters, and told them what had happened. Aurelia, who was at the time deeply in love with a man who loved the warmth, wished for the sun to shine endlessly and for the breezes to blow softly through meadows of green, so that her love might be happy. And when the time came, Fabia, who loved all things bright and colorful, wished for the leaves on all the trees to become bright and beautiful, washed with reds, yellows and oranges, and bright colours. And so began summer and fall.
But the great Tree was confused by the clashing wishes of the four girls, and its leaves began to fall to the ground. The girls were saddened by this; they had not meant to hurt the great Tree who had helped them each, but neither did they want to give up their wishes. And so they gathered together, and went to the Tree. "Great Tree," they said, "we wish to help you, as you have helped us. Tell us what we might do." To this, the great Tree replied "Divide the time of your wishes amongst yourselves, three months apiece, so that I can know who's wish to fulfill, and when."
And so it was decided, Laelia's wish would be fulfilled first, as she was the oldest. There would be three months of cold chill and snow, before Sabina's wish was fulfilled. Then the snow would melt flowers would bloom, and the air would warm. Next was Aurelia, who received three months full of warm breezes and endless sun, and lastly, the youngest, Fabia, would be granted her wish, and the trees would change colour, and the world would be filled with beauty. But at the end of this time, all the trees would lose their leaves, as the great Tree needed its rest before beginning the cycle again. And so the four seasons were created.
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Not a long story or anything, just a myth that i wrote in english class that i really liked, so i figured i'd share it with whoever's interested.
Thanks for reading
Comment and vote if you like it =)
