Image by Gill Brooks http://www.gillsplace.com
Once upon a time, in a small riverside village nestled amidst the whispering willows and gentle ripples of the River’s Edge, there lived a humble fisherman named Tobias. Tobias was known throughout the village for his exceptional fishing skills and unwavering love for the tranquil river beside their homes. Every morning, before the sun peeked above the horizon, Tobias would row his weathered wooden boat out onto the mist-covered waters, casting his net with precision and patience. As the moon hung low in the sky one fateful autumn evening, Tobias set out on his boat for his nightly catch. Usually calm and inviting, the river seemed different that night. Its waters whispered eerie secrets, and the air hummed with an inexplicable tension. Ignoring the unsettling feeling, Tobias continued his routine, casting his net into the dark, murky depths. As the night wore on, the moon’s silver glow cast a haunting pall over the river, and Tobias noticed a strange, ethereal light dancing upon the water’s surface. Curiosity piqued, he rowed closer, his heart pounding with fear and intrigue. Suddenly, a ghostly figure materialized from the mist, clad in tattered, seaweed-draped garments and hollow eyes gleaming with an otherworldly luminescence. It was the spirit of a fisherman from a bygone era, lost to the river’s depths in a tragic accident many years ago. The ghostly fisherman beckoned to Tobias, his spectral form emanating an aura of sorrow and longing. Tobias felt a deep, inexplicable compassion for the tormented spirit despite his fear. He listened as the ghostly fisherman recounted his tale of woe, trapped between the realms of the living and the dead, unable to find peace until his unfinished business was resolved. Tobias, moved by the ghost’s plight, vowed to help him find closure. Together, they journeyed through the river’s memories, revisiting the night of the fisherman’s untimely demise. They uncovered the truth behind the fisherman’s tragic end through their supernatural collaboration, unravelling a long-buried secret that held the key to his restless spirit. As dawn broke over the horizon, Tobias and the ghostly fisherman stood at the river’s edge, their shared mission finally fulfilled. With a bittersweet smile, the ghostly figure dissipated into the morning mist, his spirit finally finding peace as he bid Tobias a silent, grateful farewell. From that day forth, the river regained its former tranquillity, and Tobias continued his fishing expeditions with a newfound reverence for the waters that held such profound mysteries. The villagers spoke hushedly of the fisherman’s encounter with the ghostly spirit. Tobias became a revered figure in the village, known for his fishing prowess and his compassion that transcended the boundaries between the living and the departed. The haunting tale of Tobias and the ghostly fisherman became a cherished legend, passed down through generations, a testament to the enduring bond between the river, the living, and the spirits that lingered along its timeless shores. And to this day, as the moon casts its silvery glow upon the River’s Edge, some say that the ghostly fisherman’s presence can still be felt.
Lazarus Carpenter - Author 