The hiding place of some creatures
As had happened in the ancient world, there was a law that had to be obeyed and respected by all, otherwise they would be punished with the worst of dishonours: oblivion. The law was not to cross a threshold that had been built only for the gods. On that threshold, located between the sea and the sky, it was said that bodies could generate such strong energy that they could build the unimaginable.
Many creatures, every evening, sat on the seashore and gazed at the horizon imagining what could be on that line that joined sea and sky:
"I imagine that happiness must be concentrated at that point!" -said the melancholy centaur, raising his forelegs in a spirited manner.
"Why do you think so?" -asked the mermaids, dipping their tails in the waves so foamy and fragile that they looked like cotton lace.
"Because there is no one who looks at the horizon and does not feel peace, stillness, as if looking at it could calm all the wars we carry inside us". -said the centaur, while the sirens nodded, attesting to those wise words.
At other times it was the unicorns, who were allowed to take naps on the clouds, who pointed to that forbidden and incognito spot:
"What can there be there that we have restricted passage?" -asked the unicorns irreverently.
"It is not fair that only the gods know the secrets that every corner of the world holds, and that we who populate the universe are left in the most stupid ignorance," said the Cyclops, opening and closing that glassy, watery, frontal eye.
Contrary to what the gods wanted, that sign aroused more curiosity among the creatures:
"But why can't we come closer? What are the gods hiding there that they don't want us to see?" -The minotaurs shouted in fury.
"They have manipulated our lives enough without also telling us where we must see, enter, or be!" -the gnolls resented their stature.
While many creatures preferred to stand aside and pay due respect to the laws, some beings assumed an attitude of irreverence that offended the authority of the gods:
"Brothers, we must assert our rights. We are sure that that space between heaven and earth that we all know as the horizon holds the secret of happiness. It is not right that happiness should be right in front of us, within reach, and yet denied to us!" -said the elves, very sure of what they were saying.
"They will find nothing, and if they do find anything, they will never let them return!" -they whispered.
"And to think that they were the most beautiful creatures and could have everything!" -sighed others uncomprehendingly.
But the rebels moved on, facing the horizon, and as they drew nearer to the point, it was not sadness that could be seen, nor fear, but an unparalleled happiness, never seen before. Suddenly, those creatures became small, almost invisible, as they advanced and, before the eyes of the others, they disappeared as if a demolishing power had shattered them to dust.
They say that from that very moment, as if they had never been in the universe and as if oblivion had covered them, those incredible creatures ceased to exist. They also say that men have never been able to stop sighing when they see the horizon: that exact point where the sea kisses the sky.
All images are free of charge and the text is my own, translated in Deepl.
Thank you for reading and commenting. Until a future reading, friends
Click here to read in spanish
El lugar donde se esconden algunas criaturas
Había cesado el diluvio y todas las criaturas que habían sobrevivido, intentaban retomar sus vidas. Como se les había ordenado, inmediatamente comenzaron a reproducirse por todo el universo: semillas de nuevos seres crecían por todas partes. Se hablaba de un mundo nuevo: con nuevos hombres, nuevos animales y plantas recién nacidas.
Como había ocurrido en el mundo antiguo, había una ley que debía ser cumplida y respetada por todos, porque de lo contrario, serían castigados con la peor de las deshonras: el olvido. La ley era no traspasar un umbral que se había construido solo para los dioses. En ese umbral, ubicado entre el mar y el cielo, se decía que los cuerpos podían generar una energía tan fuerte que podían construir lo inimaginable.
Muchas criaturas, cada tarde, se sentaban en la orilla del mar y miraban el horizonte imaginando lo que podía haber en aquella línea que unía mar y cielo:
_¡Imagino que la felicidad debe estar concentrada en ese punto! –decía el centauro melancólico alzando de manera briosa sus patas delanteras.
_¿Por qué crees eso? –preguntaban las sirenas remojando sus colas con las olas tan espumosas y frágiles que parecían encajes de algodón.
_Porque no hay nadie que mire el horizonte y no sienta paz, quietud, como si mirarlo pudiera tranquilizar todas las guerras que lleváramos por dentro. –decía el centauro mientras las sirenas asentían dando fe de aquellas palabras tan sabias.
Otras veces eran los unicornios, quienes tenían permitido hacer siestas sobre las nubes, los que señalaban hacia aquel punto tan incógnito y prohibido:
_¿Qué puede haber allí que tenemos el paso restringido? –preguntaban los unicornios de manera irreverente.
_No es justo que solo los dioses sepan los secretos que guarda cada rincón del mundo y que nos dejen en el más estúpido desconocimiento a nosotros lo que poblamos el universo –decían los cíclopes abriendo y cerrando aquel ojo frontal, vidrioso y acuoso.
A los oídos de los dioses llegó el interés que tenían ciertas criaturas de traspasar el umbral y saber qué se escondía en aquella línea divisoria. Conscientes de las consecuencias que habían producido el primer hombre y la primera mujer al desacatar las leyes del paraíso, los dioses acordaron poner, en letras grandes y en todos los idiomas, un cartel en pleno horizonte que decía: “No pasar: manténgase alejado”.
Contrario a lo que los dioses querían, aquel cartel hizo despertar más la curiosidad entre las criaturas:
_¿Pero por qué no podemos acercarnos? ¿Qué esconden allí los dioses que desean que no veamos? –gritaban los minotauros llenos de furia.
_¡Ya han manipulado suficientemente nuestras vidas como para que también nos digan por dónde debemos ver, entrar o estar! –esgrimían los gnomos resentidos por su estatura.
Aunque muchas criaturas prefirieron mantenerse al margen y guardar el debido respeto a las leyes, algunos seres asumieron una actitud de irreverencia que ofendía la autoridad de los dioses:
_¡Hermanos, debemos hacer valer nuestros derechos. Estamos seguros que ese espacio entre el cielo y la tierra que todos conocemos como horizonte guarda el secreto de la felicidad. No es justo que la felicidad esté frente a nosotros, al alcance de la mano y esté vedada para nosotros! -vociferaban los elfos muy seguros de lo que decían.
Entonces, sin esperar ninguna orden, llevaron a cabo lo que habían fraguado por varios meses: traspasar el umbral prohibido. En fila iban las sirenas, los minotauros, los centauros y los unicornios. También los elfos, los gnomos y todas aquellas criaturas que guardaban la curiosidad y la rebeldía en sus corazones. Los que miraban aquel acto de desacato, hablaban atemorizados de perder los privilegios:
_¡Son unos inconscientes! ¡No encontrarán nada y si encuentran algo, jamás dejarán que vuelvan! –decían susurrando.
_¡Y pensar que eran las criaturas más hermosas y que podían tenerlo todo! –suspiraban otros sin entender nada.
Pero los rebeldes siguieron avanzando, de frente al horizonte y a medida que se acercaban al punto, no era tristeza lo que se veía, tampoco miedo, sino una felicidad inigualable, jamás vista. De repente, aquellas criaturas se fueron haciendo pequeñas, casi invisibles, mientras avanzaban y frente a los ojos de los otros, desaparecieron como si un poder demoledor los hubiese hecho polvo.
Dicen que desde ese mismo instante, como si nunca hubiesen estado en el universo y como si el olvido las hubiese cubierto, dejaron de existir aquellas criaturas tan increíbles. También dicen que jamás los hombres han podido dejar de suspirar cuando ven el horizonte: ese punto exacto en el que el mar besa al cielo.
I Enjoyed reading your creative Fiction and you really have good use of words, I will be following your creative writing now to always learn from you story’s. This story is a real creativity.
Thank you for your words. They motivate me. Regards
This story made me remember the Garden of Eden, the difference being that Eve eating the forbidden fruit did not bring us unparalleled happiness, it brought woes, pains, anguish, agony, and a tiny glimpse of joy that never lasts.
I enjoyed reading, you had a good play with words and your description was on point. I wonder if anyone else will dare to enter the restricted horizon in the future.
We always see the horizon as that point where there is a lot of hope. Thank you for your comment. Regards
Excellent mythic tale that explains why some magical creatures no longer exist amongst us.
This is a great interpretation of the prompt. Your descriptions of these characters are well done because they show how majestic they are, and this makes their loss even more poignant.
I like this notion that this creatures disappeared because they were too rebellious, perhaps too exotic and magical to be among humans.
It was a fun tale to read. Nicely done!
Coming from you, your words touch me. I know the quality of your stories and writing. Thank you very much. Hugs
I love your descriptions and use of grammar, masterfully relating much adored story of gods and creatures. The creatures would always marvel and seek out mysteries beyond the stars. I loved reading your script
I'm glad you liked my story, my friend. Regards
You're most welcome
Well, if there's one thing I must commend you for, it's your mastery at describing these characters. Your description was on point! I brought into imagination the Cyclops, and other mythical creatures, while playing the scene in my head. You brought the story to life. Nice one 💯
That was the intention: that we could see the majesty and wonder of these beings. Greetings and thank you for your comment
Fantasy and mythology are the protagonists of this beautiful story. I really liked reading it from the beginning to the end and it really engulfs you in that surreal moment.
Thanks for sharing your story.
Happy day.
I can't imagine if such animals existed today. This story made it possible for me to bring them to life for a moment. A good day to you. Regards
This tale could’ve so easily devolved into a mere fable-like story, but through your skilful handling you’ve elevated into the realms of mythology. Exceptionally clever idea, executed with aplomb! Perfect!
Thank you for your words. They are always an incentive for me. Regards
Beautiful story, I enjoyed reading your post...