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Ma. Cattleya Vanessa L. Querubin

I was seating under the tree enjoying the breeze, when I spotted the Bard ofgreat mystery. He always told us tales and taught us lore. But never once

revealed what it really holds.

The other children and I of our village look up to his great knowledge. Not

once he didnt answer our questions.The Bard sat at his usual spot, and begun his tale.

This is a folktale of two lovers who were played by their fates. So gatheraround and hear this song. He began.

A lad was gathering herbs for his dying mother. He went to the forest

where is said to be the abode of strange creatures. He was never once afraidof them. In fact he was fond of them, specially the dryads that helps and

teaches him.

As he picks the herbs he needed, he wondered to himself, Where have theygone? The forest was unoccupied by the peculiar creatures. As he

approached the river she spotted a beautiful maiden.

The maiden was truly beautiful. Her skin white as alabaster, her eyes took

different shades. One was deep blue while the other silver. Her lips were like

rose. The boy fancied what he saw. He looks at her from the bushes.

The maiden rose and fashioned herself an oak swing. She began to sing

something sad. As the boy listens to the sad tune, he was surprised to noticethat tears were falling. No matter what dire thing happens to him, it is rare

that he shed tears. His lack of compassion never won him anything.

Villagers feel disgusted at his very presence, thats why he and his mother

live near the forest.

The songstress stopped. Whos there? she asked.The boy stood up. Marry meet milady. Im sorry if I startled you; I was justpicking some herbs when I heard your song. He said.

The mysterious girl bowed, and introduced herself. I am Serein, a heavenly

being. Are you the one they call John? Oh yes, do not worry for thecreatures of the forest; they merely fell asleep with my song

That is I., he replied.

Soon their friendship started to blossom beautifully. After their faithful

meeting a lot of good things happened to John; her mother was spared by

death. He used the mysterious, fine powder Serein gave her. After adding it

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to her mothers drink, she restored her health. Fine things to have, dont you

think? The Bard said.

Still her mother withered of old age. John grew up to be a handsome young

man. His feelings for Serein grew deeper as time passes by.

In the forest, as he was about to meet with the girl; He bumped to an old

man. Fear suddenly struck him when he saw the mans face. The mans face

was identical to that of Serein but with a more wicked expression. John

bowed to apologize. Return Serein her belonging. She dies if you dont,

the man commanded him, disappeared. John felt chills.

John dismissed his thoughts of the encounter when he saw Sereins figure.

He was about to call her when he realized that her love was not alone. She

was talking to someone. John hid himself.

Child, do you understand what you have done? The mysterious man said.

Father, I only did what is right. You taught me to help those in need and Ilove. Serein said with a melancholic voice. Soon rain started to pour.If you do not return with me to the heavens, then youll die. Now that you

have given what holds your life to a mere human. Return now her father

said. I do not regret giving it to John. My life is his. Her fathers facebecame red with anger. I pity you my daughter for you have caught

stupidity! Seirens father disappeared as soon as the thunder clapped. The

rain was no more.

John fell to his knees when he realized that Seiren was dying. He had a

moment of recollection. The girl seemed to him to have been weakening as

the day pass by. Her rosy cheeks are now pale, her skin as cold as ice. He

hated himself for taking those things for granted. Death was claiming her.

Seiren was in awe when she noticed John. All her senses are now weaken.

She walked towards him. I shall give back what gives you life just tell mewhat it is. He said as he held her tight. Tears are once again falling.

Seiren fell in Johns arms.Remember the powder I gave you to heal your

mother? I crushed my stone to extend your mothers life. She died not in

pain but with old age. That stone once held my life. Oh John, you need not

return anything to me. It is you, our love that gives me life now. Im happy

that we found each other. She looked at him with the most earnest eyes.Do not utter parting word, I beg you Serein. The woman tried to shake

him with a laugh. Dont worry. Ill still be with you, though not physically,

but I will. John began to weep.

Alas! The cruel fate is yet again taunting him. She uses death! Death of the

people he loves; such a cruel thing for a man to experience.

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Is there anything I can do for you? John asked. You have done enough

my love. The time I spent with you was the happiest of my time. Ive neverfelt more alive. Seiren laughed. John reached for her lips.

Serein stand up and walked to reach the river side. John held her tight. It is

time., She said while smiling. John scooped her face at the last moment and

they kissed. The last of his happiness has already left. Fine rain began to fall

on a cloudless sunset.

The man never left the forest.

And thatends the days tale. You learned from Lady Serein how one must

give their best for their beloved. People tend to sacrifice things to save their

love ones or something important, and rarely care for the outcome. It might

be prejudice for others, since not all sacrifices have meaning, but always

remember that with every sacrifice comes an inevitable consequence. If ever

you decide to throw away your lives, first think if its really worth it and the

people you leave. Not all sacrifices are glorious; some are just the product ofinsolence and arrogance. The Bard noted with a smile.He sang again as he answer our questions.

As the bard ended his final song rain began to pour.

Ah, Serein. He said while he started to walk away from our village.