Magic Fountain

 

Magic Fountain

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful village at the foot of the mountains called "Noorpur". In this village lived green fields, chirping birds, and cheerful people. Two little friends, Linda and George, also lived there. Both were about ten years old, and both were very fond of reading stories, secrets, and old magic books. Linda was an intelligent and fearless girl, and George was a cheerful and dreamy boy. Every evening, they would sit under the old tree in the village, turn the pages of books and get lost in the magical world.

One day, Linda and George found a worn-out book in the village library. The book was covered in dust, but as soon as Linda opened the book, a bright ray touched her face. The name of the book was: "Magic Fountain - Only for the True-Hearted".  The book said that there is a hidden spring across the mountains, the water of which gives man knowledge, strength and light. But this spring is visible only to those who do not have greed, envy and lies in their hearts.

George said enthusiastically, "Come on Linda! Let's go find this spring!"

Linda laughed and said, "First we have to cleanse our hearts, friend!"

The next morning, the two friends set off with some food, a blanket and the same book in their small bag. On the way, they found a large forest that people called "the forest of silence". There, the whispers of the trees could be heard and the wind also conveyed some kind of magic message. In the middle of the forest was an old, broken bridge built over a deep ravine. On the edge of the bridge, a stone was written in a bright light: "Speak the truth or fall".

Linda had just taken a step when the bridge began to shake.  Suddenly a voice said, "What's your worst lie?"

Linda lowered her eyes and said, "I once lied to my mother that I had learned my lesson, even though I hadn't."

The bridge stopped.

Then George was asked, "Who are you most jealous of?"

George sighed, "My older brother, because everyone likes him."

The bridge let them pass.

After the forest, they came to a strange village where everyone spoke strangely, some were flying, some were disappearing underground. There was an old wizard who called Linda and George to him.

"I know what you want. But to reach the fountain, you have to pass three tests," said the wizard.

The wizard placed a mirror in front of them. "If you have the truth in your heart, you will see the way, otherwise you will get lost."

 Linda looked in the mirror, and there she saw the image of her grandfather who used to say, "A true speaker never loses."

George also looked in the mirror, and he heard the voice of his teacher, "You have the ability, just believe in yourself."

The mirror shone and the next door opened.

Now they were standing in front of a fast-flowing river. There was a sign there: "Cross with knowledge, not with strength." Questions were written on the trees. The correct answer to each question highlighted a stone in the river.

Linda and George thought out the answer to each question together, such as:

"What is the companion of truth?" — Answer: Trust

"When does a lie do the most harm?" — Answer: When the heart is true and the tongue is false

Finally, they crossed that river too.

Now before them was the field of sacrifice.  A scene appeared before them: Linda and George had two bowls in front of them, one with spring water, and the other with the same water, but with the condition that only one could drink.

Linda said, "You drink, George, you need more."

George refused, "No, you are brave, you drink."

At that moment, a light spread and a soft voice came: "You both have passed, because you have made a sacrifice. A true heart is recognized by sacrifice."

Suddenly a bush moved, and a transparent, sparkling spring appeared in front of them. Its water shone as if the stars of the sky had descended to earth. Linda and George drank the water, and their hearts became bright. They smiled at each other's eyes as if the happiness of the whole world had been absorbed in them.

When they returned to Nurpur, there was knowledge in their eyes, truth in their tongues, and love in their hearts.

The villagers asked them, "Did you see the spring?"

 Linda smiled and said, "The fountain is a symbol. The real fountain is inside us, we just have to keep it clean."

George said, "Truth, reason, and sacrifice... that's the real magic."

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### 🌟 Moral lesson:

**If you have a true heart, pure intentions, and a spirit of sacrifice, the greatest magic resides within you. The most valuable treasure in the world is not a magic fountain, but truth, love, and knowledge.**