In the heart of a vast, primeval forest surrounded by twisted oaks and winding rivers, stood a mythological tree: the Starlight Tree. It is said that this tall silver-barked tree held within its roots and branches certain magic, and when it bloomed annually, its delicate flowers shone like stars in the midnight sky. However, the tree stood in a secret glade, and only those with a pure heart could find their way to it.
Nearby, in a very poor village, there lived a young man named Wes, who was known for his kindness and honesty. Although he was not wealthy or important, he was loved by all who knew him, for he spent all his days in the field, attending to crops and doing anything required to help his people. Seemingly contented at times, he often felt lost and wondered if life in his villagers would ever get to live a prosperous life.
One spring evening, a poor old woman wearing a cloak hobbled into the village. Approaching him as he completed his tasks of the day, she inquired, “Do you know of the Starlight Tree, young man?”
Wes’ eyes widened. He had heard the tales from his grandmother back when he was a child – the tree’s flowers that had magic… “Yes, I know this tree,” he replied. “But I thought it was only a legend.” The old woman smiled, and the light in her eyes shone strangely.
“The Starlight Tree is all too real. And anyone who finds it is given the power to make one wish. But getting there isn’t so simple. It lies in the depths of the forest, guarded by enchantments. Only someone searching for it for the purest of reasons will ever find it.”
Wes was interested. “Why do you tell me this?”
“Because,” she said, “I sense in you a heart both brave and honest. If you want, you may seek the tree. But remember, young man, the Starlight Tree fulfils any wish only on one condition: it honours only selfless wishes.”
Wes felt a shiver down his back; however, he knew that he had to go. He thought about his village, the hardships during the winter and children heading to school with enough in their stomachs. What this boy wished for, in his mind, was clear: he wanted to wish for the village’s prosperity and good health. With a mere nod of his head, he affirmed that he understood what the elderly woman had said. And the very next morning, he went ahead into the forest, driven just by stories and hope.
The forest was thick with dark shadows, but Wes kept going on, guided by the faint moonlight filtered through leaves above. Days passed, and Wes turned weary. Along the way, he met strange being: a foxy creature with eyes that shone, an old owl wise beyond words, and a trickster raven who tried to lead him astray. But Wes kept his heart fixed to his desire and paid no heed to anything else.
And after many days, he arrived in a clearing unlike any other he had ever seen. There, bathed in moonlight, stood the Starlight Tree, all alone. Its bark shone silver, and its branches opened like a giant’s arms, each bearing flowers that glittered like fallen stars. Wes approached the tree slowly, his heart hammering in his chest. Then, he reached out, touching the warm trunk with the tips of his fingers. A soft voice echoed through the glade: “Wes”, it said, “you have found me. What is it that you seek?” He took a big breath before he blurted out one loud, clear sentence.
“I want a good life for my village, one in which nobody has to walk barefoot, and nobody goes starving, that everybody can stay in peace and health.”
The tree said nothing more for a while, but there was some strange strain that settled on the air around him. Then, it continued. “Your wish is innocent, but are you ready to pay with something?”
Wes nodded. “If it will bring peace and prosperity to my village…”
“Very well,” said the voice. “But know this: in exchange for your wish, you will be forgotten by those you love. They will remember only that prosperity came, but they will not remember who brought it.”
The weight of the decision settled heavily upon Wes. He thought of his friends, his family, the children he cared for, and his loved ones. To lose this place among them would sadden him deeply.
“I agree,” said Wes, although he stuttered. “Let them have a better life, even if it means I am forgotten.”
The Starlight Tree’s branches quivered, and a bright light burst in the form of a flash from its roots, catching Wes in its warm, ethereal embrace. Then, in one moment, the light was gone, and the glade was silent once more.
Wes returned to his village, his heart throbbing with an unfamiliar emptiness. When he arrived, he found lush green fields and homes restored; people he passed on his way were all at ease and smiling. He greeted them, but they gave him a nod for his greeting, their politeness in the curve of a smile, a look of unfamiliarity in their eyes. A stranger in his homeland was who he had become.
He sat under a great old oak tree, looking at the people he loved, each now healthy and well. Their struggles had undoubtedly been alleviated by his wish. Over time, Wes built himself a quiet life at the edge of the village, near enough to watch his wish unfold. He helped when he could, but no one knew his name. He had become a mystery, a kind soul who helped with repairs, offered a hand during storms, and tended to the sick when needed.
Years went by, and Wes had found quiet contentment in the life he had chosen. The gift of the Starlight Tree had come at a cost, but he felt no regret. After all, he found peace in knowing his sacrifice was for something greater than himself. And so, the story of the Starlight Tree lived on via the fluent storytelling of villagers who knew not the silent man among them – the reason they had lived on.
