Long ago, hidden deep within misty mountain ranges, there was a mysterious tree called the "Lantern Tree." Each year, on the first night of the monsoon winds, it would produce a single seed. The people of the valley believed this seed could grant any wish, but only if it was released into the sky on a moonless, starless night.

However, there was a condition: anyone wishing to use the seed had to face the "Keeper of the Wind." This enigmatic being, half-human, half-wind, wandered the mountain peaks. No one knew its true form, only its voice, which sounded like the wind whispering through leaves.

One day, a girl named Lyra decided to seek the seed. That year, drought had devastated the valley. Rivers dried up, trees withered, and hope faded. Carrying her parents' parting words—"When you feel lost, seek the Lantern Seed"—she began her journey.

When she finally obtained the seed, the Keeper of the Wind appeared and asked,

  • "What will you trade? Every wish has its price."

Unafraid, Lyra replied,

  • "I’ll give anything, as long as the valley comes back to life."

The Keeper laughed, a sound like swirling leaves in the wind.

  • "Is your heart truly pure? Or is this selfishness disguised as nobility?"

Lyra hesitated. She knew her motives weren’t entirely selfless—she also longed for a simpler life, free from endless struggles. Finally, she said,

  • "I don’t know if my heart is entirely pure. But I do know one thing: I can’t bear to see my people suffer anymore."

The Keeper nodded and disappeared. The seed began to glow and rose into the sky, shattering into countless lights like the first drops of rain. The valley blossomed anew, rivers flowed, and life returned.

From then on, Lyra became the guardian of the Lantern Tree. The Keeper of the Wind was never seen again, though on quiet, windless nights, Lyra often heard a familiar voice:

  • "You paid with the truth of your heart. That is the worthiest price of all."

中文翻译:

灯笼种子与风之守护者

很久以前，在群山深处的薄雾山谷里，有一棵神秘的树，被称为“灯笼树”。每年，在季风到来的第一个夜晚，这棵树会结出唯一的一颗种子。山谷中的人们相信，这颗种子可以实现任何愿望，但只有在无月无星的夜晚将其释放到天空中才能生效。

然而，使用这颗种子有一个条件：必须面对“风之守护者”。这是一个神秘的存在，半人半风，徘徊在山顶之间。没有人知道它的真实形态，只听过它的声音，犹如风穿过树叶时的低语。

有一天，一个名叫莉拉的女孩决定寻找这颗种子。那一年，山谷遭遇了严重的干旱，河流干涸，树木枯萎，人们的希望渐渐消失。带着父母临终的嘱托——“当你感到绝望时，去寻找灯笼种子”——她踏上了旅程。

当她终于拿到种子时，风之守护者出现了，问道：

  • “你愿意用什么来交换？每个愿望都有它的代价。”

莉拉毫不畏惧地回答：

  • “无论代价是什么，只要山谷能够重生，我都愿意。”

风之守护者笑了，那笑声如落叶在风中翻滚：

  • “你的内心真的纯洁吗？还是这只是伪装的高尚？”

莉拉沉默了。她知道自己的动机并非完全无私，她也渴望过上更轻松的生活，而不是天天与大自然的艰难抗争。但最终，她说：

  • “我不知道我的内心是否完全纯洁。但我知道一件事：我不能忍受再看到我的人们受苦。”

风之守护者点了点头，然后消失了。种子开始发光，飞向天空，碎裂成无数微光，如同第一滴雨降落大地。山谷重新焕发了生机，河流再度流淌，生命回归。

从那以后，莉拉成为灯笼树的守护者，而风之守护者再也没有出现过。不过，在宁静的无风之夜，莉拉总能听到一个熟悉的声音：

  • “你用内心的真相来支付代价。这是最值得的代价。”