Gifts in the River (Cabbage Shortstory)

quadraptor's picture
Writing for TheSnalf for drawing Quad as a wolf Enjoy Eye

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The sun was warm today. An early spring day. He smiled and enjoyed the warmth, glad to have a pretty day after the many cloudy ones during the winter. Cabbage carried on his own way, smiling when he heard others nearby praising the Twin Gods for such lovely weather.

He found a nice spot by the river to relax. He would go and sit at the Pond, but there were many deer over there already, so he liked this spot instead. He was near the Crying Idol, and the sound of water rushing from the stone's eyes was pleasing to him, even though the thought of a crying statue was saddening to him. The water was crystal clear in the sunlight, and Cabbage very much loved watching insects play in the water. As a dragonfly buzzed past, something caught his eye. The stag stood and looked closer to the clear water. Something was out of place, something shimmering under the water.

He stepped into the cool waters and nudged the thing with his hoof. Lifting if out of the water, he inspected the thing for a few moments - it was an old necklace, something he had never seen before. The chain was a beautiful shade of gold, and hanging on it was a golden pendant with rounded turquoise stones. It was shaped in a circle, the stones resembled a mushroom circle, making a ring on the edge of the pendant.

He lowered his head and placed the necklace on one of the forward prongs of his antlers. He then turned to the Crying Idol, asking the old stone, "Excuse me, did you lose this?" The idol did not give any kind of a sign, and the deer tilted his head. "I wonder what to do with it then?", he questioned.

He hopped out of the river and walked away, looking around for a place the old necklace should go. He walked over to the Ruins, looking for anywhere that it may fit or might resemble the shape. No luck there, and after not getting a response from the little pagan idols, he carried on, the necklace dangling and swaying with each step he took. As he started to head toward the Old Oak, a curious fawn approached him. "Hello there! What is that on your head?", the child asked him. "Oh this? Just something I found today. I'm trying to see where it belongs.", Cabbage replied. "Oh can I have it? It is very pretty!", the fawn asked him eagerly. The stag was a little hesitant about the request, "I'm not sure, I don't think this should really belong to anyone.", he said. The fawn, disappointed, ran off, though calling the stag a jerk under his breath. Cabbage shook his head and moved on.

Soon after, a few does approached him and asked about the strange necklace. "Oh that would look beautiful around my neck!", one of them said. "Sorry, but I'm not giving it away. It must belong to someone.", Cabbage said. "Are you sure? What if I gave you some pinecones for it?", another doe asked him. The stag shook his head once more, and moved past them. The curious does followed him, clamoring among themselves as to who should have the necklace, each doe boasting how prettier they were than the others. Cabbage sighed as he realized he had an entourage behind him.

And afterward, others joined in, all curious about the necklace, all wanting it for themselves. Cabbage led them to Twin Gods' hill, where all the deer surrounded him, all begging for the necklace. "Stop, everyone! Why have you all become so greedy? It's just a useless piece of vanity!", Cabbage called out to all of them.

"Oh! You found the necklace!", he heard someone speak. And turning, Auriea was standing by him. Taken aback, Cabbage bowed to the god, "Oh does this belong to you, Auriea?", he asked.

"Why yes, it was a gift from the Crying Idol many years ago. I thought I had lost it, where did you find it?", she asked him. Cabbage smiled a little, "In the river flowing from the Crying Idol, actually! I knew it belonged to someone, and am glad to know it was you.", he spoke and lowered the old necklace from his antlers. Auriea picked the chain up with her mouth and flung it into the air, the necklace falling on her head and around her neck effortlessly.

"You could have easily just given the necklace away to anyone, but you knew that something so beautiful and so out of place had to have belonged to someone. You could have kept the necklace to yourself, but you didn't. I am deeply honored that I can trust you with things so precious and dear to me.", Auriea spoke. "What would you like in return for finding my necklace?", she asked.

Cabbage shook his head, "Nothing, I was only doing what I thought was right.", he said.

Auriea smiled, "One day, then, you will be repaid for doing what was right.", she spoke, and kissed the stag on the forehead. The god vanished, along with the necklace, and afterward, the deer around the hill dispersed, chatting among themselves about what had just happened. Some were jealous of Cabbage, others still wanted the necklace despite it belonging to the god, and such thoughts.

Cabbage, now alone there on the hill, walked away, finding the place he was sitting at by the Crying Idol. He got comfortable again, and closing his eyes, he enjoyed the sunlight on the warm spring day.
quadraptor's picture

Bumping for Snalfy

Bumping for Snalfy
TheSnalf's picture

Oh dear so sorry for the late

Oh dear so sorry for the late reply I've been ill with the flu lately.

I'm in love with this! The way you brought out his humble and respectful personality <3
This really made me feel better, thank you dear for the simple and lovely story.
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quadraptor's picture

Haha I'm in the same boat as

Haha I'm in the same boat as you as far as the flu. I got it on Sunday and am finally nearly recovered today, just mostly had sinus pressure and an itchy nose.

Glad you liked this, I thought it would fit his character very well.