For several days, rain had been falling gently on La Martais, creating a calm, gray landscape where every blade of grass seemed to whisper secrets beneath the drops. The hamlet's inhabitants stayed warm, leaving the paths empty and silent.
One morning, just as the rain had stopped, a timid ray of sunshine pierced the clouds. Arthur, a curious and energetic young boy, quickly put on his boots and yellow raincoat, eager to explore the woods after spending days indoors.
Arthur excitedly wandered the muddy paths, jumping in puddles and breathing in the fresh air. His exploration soon brought him to a place he knew well, but which had strangely changed. In the middle of a clearing stood a stone he had never noticed before.
Intrigued, he approached. The stone was large, rounded, slightly orange, and covered with moss. As he touched it, Arthur felt as if the stone gave off a comforting warmth. Surprised, he sat down next to it to think, wondering how he could have walked past it so many times without ever noticing it.
While he was lost in thought, a strange noise made him jump. On the other side of the clearing, a small fox had appeared. It seemed injured and was walking with difficulty. Arthur felt his heart sink. Without thinking, he wanted to run to help it, but he quickly realized that his sudden movements were frightening the animal.
He then remembered what his grandfather often told him: "To tame, you must know how to be patient and gentle." Arthur took a slow breath, sat down again, and whispered comforting words. Little by little, the fox approached timidly.
The stone behind him suddenly seemed to vibrate gently. Arthur barely had time to wonder what was happening before the fox was already rubbing its head against his hand. Gently, he examined the animal and removed a small thorn from its paw.
The fox gave a low cry of relief, circled the boy for a few moments, then disappeared into the trees.
Arthur, proud to have succeeded in helping the animal, gently stroked the stone as if to thank it for giving him courage and patience.
When he returned home, he didn't see the stone gently shivering, nor the orange shards slowly disappearing beneath the moss. For of course, it wasn't just any stone.
It was Diben, transformed over the past few days, enjoying the calm of the rain. Today, he had witnessed a beautiful lesson in patience and gentleness, virtues he knew well, but which he always loved to see shared.
Because even when motionless and silent, a korrigan is always watching, ready to offer a little helping hand to courageous and generous souls.
06 - Diben and the Watching Stone