Tale 38- The Fire Spirit

 Upon arrival in the city, the Traveler was awestruck by how alive the place seemed. The energy was almost tangible, the aromas and sights hitting her from every direction. People sat eating together, laughing, watching the various street performers. There were men on unicycles, women dressed in risqué clothing, and a man surrounded by young people, seemingly telling them all some stories. Approaching, the Traveler easily blended into the crowd, watching as the man began a new story, the tale of ‘the Fire Spirit.’

‘In ancient times, there lived a fire spirit, a personified force of nature who was capable of travelling wherever it pleased whenever it pleased. However, due to the beliefs of the ancient humans, once a year it made an appearance in front of humanity and performed a beautiful ritualistic dance atop a flaming bonfire, rainbow hues painting each and every ember of the flames. For years upon years it enacted this ritual, before it began to be lost to time as the people in the ancient tribes began to lose touch with their origins. However, it is said that the fire spirit still wanders the earth in disguise, being a mischievous force which loves to play tricks on humans. If you see a candle near you flicker, maybe it is close…’

As the crowd dispersed, the Traveler wrote the tale down, drawing the spirit as she saw it in her mind’s eye. She watched the other girls and boys heading home, and the man began to pack up the various books he brought with him for the stories. He began walking away, before a little lamp nearby began to flicker as he walked past. The Traveler’s eyes went wide with awe, the man noticing and giving a little wink, putting a finger to his lips as they parted ways.

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