Short Story: Awhiina finds her orb

In the heart of the Pacific, there lies an island so remote it is whispered about like a myth. This island, cloaked in lush greenery and bordered by the endless blue, is home to Awhiina, a woman of quiet strength and profound connection to the natural world around her.

Awhiina lived in a small village, where life was woven with the rhythms of nature. Her name, meaning ‘help’ in her native tongue, was a testament to her nature. She was a healer, a keeper of ancient wisdom passed down through generations, and her people looked to her for guidance.

The eve of midsummer was always special on the island. It was a time when the veil between the physical and spiritual worlds was believed to be at its thinnest, a time for rituals and celebrations. That year, the eve brought with it a sense of unease. The ocean whispered of change, and the wind carried messages Awhina struggled to decipher.

As dusk approached, Awhina ventured into the heart of the island. The dense forest opened up to a clearing where an ancient tree stood, its roots deep and branches high, touching the sky. Beneath this tree, it was said, one could hear the heartbeat of the island.

Sitting under the tree, Awhiina closed her eyes, letting the sounds of the forest wash over her. That’s when she felt it – a gentle pulsation in the ground, like a heartbeat. Guided by this rhythm, she dug into the earth with her hands.

There, nestled in the roots of the tree, was an orb. It glowed with an inner light, pulsing in harmony with Awhina’s heartbeat. The orb was warm to the touch, and as she held it, visions flooded her mind – visions of her ancestors, of the island through the ages, and a glimpse of what was to come.

The orb, she realised, was a manifestation of her soul, a physical representation of the connection she shared with the island. It was a gift, a responsibility, and a reminder of her role as a guardian of her people and their traditions.

With the orb, Awhiina felt a newfound clarity. She returned to her village, the orb cradled in her hands. The villagers gathered, sensing something momentous. Awhiina held the orb high, and it shone with a brilliant light, casting a warm glow over the faces of her people.

From that day forth, Awhiina was more than a healer; she was a beacon, a guiding light for others passing on the trade winds through the islands. The orb never dimmed. It was a constant reminder of the strength and wisdom that lay within her, and was also channeled through her and within the heart of the island that was her home.

And on each eve of midsummer, the village would gather, basking in the glow of the orb, celebrating the eternal bond between them, their land, and the spirit that connected them all.

Embrace the fire of your inner depths this midsummer.