The Blue Olive
There was once a land, surrounded by two big forests. The land was prosperous and giving, with people that respected the laws of nature.
Chapter I — The land between two forests
To the east, there was a forest that hid a deep mystery. Nobody could ever come back if they were to go in the woods after dark, and especially during the time when seasons changed.
People believed it was the work of the iele — evil female spirits with great seductive powers that lured men into the woods and made them disappear forever.
The forest to the west was a gentle one, the place from where the village got its resources: the wood for the fire and the wild fruits.
There was a village in this land, with simple, hardworking people that lived their lives in a cyclic manner, generation after generation. Most of the people respected the rules and lived a quiet life.
Chapter II — The girl who chose light
There was once a girl, in this village, named Zina.
Zina had a hard life. Her mother died when she was little, and her father remarried with a woman that had no love for the girl, treating her as a servant rather than her own child. The stepmother was cruel, and the harder Zina worked, the more the woman despised her.
But Zina was a kind soul, that chose to respond with love rather than hate.
One day, an old beggar came to the village, asking for food and shelter. Most people ignored him, but Zina, even though she had little, shared her bread with the old man.
The beggar was, in fact, a powerful spirit in disguise, that rewarded the girl’s kindness with a blessing.
From that day on, Zina became known as Godmother Zina — a protector of the village, that helped people in need and spread kindness wherever she went.
And so, the legend of the Blue Olive was born: a symbol of hope, kindness, and the light that can be found even in the darkest of places.