THE BOY AND THE BEAST
1163 Words
The little house that Avelora and Tharen lived in sat at the edge of the East District. Behind it was a quiet hill, and beside it a field of dry grass that danced with the wind. It wasn’t much, but it was home. And Maera, the old woman who took Avelora in many years ago, made it warm and peaceful.
Tharen took Maera as his grandmother. She was the first person to hold him after he was born. She taught Tharen how to walk, how to be respectful to people, and how to pray before eating. She laughed every time he tried to drag a bucket heavier than him, and she called him “little warrior.”
But as Time and years goes by . Her hair had gone all white, her hands began to shake and couldn't hold a cup, and sometimes she would forget where she put things. Avelora knew the time was coming, but she prayed every night for more time. Tharen was still just a boy.
One cold morning, Avelora woke to find Maera still lying in bed, her breaths slow and heavy. Tharen ran to her, shaking her arm.
“Grandma, wake up. We have to eat.”
Maera slowly opened her eyes. Her smile was soft but weak.
“I am not asleep child,” she whispered. “I’m just… tired today.”
Avelora knelt beside the bed. “I will make soup for you .”
Maera shook her head gently in rejection. “No, dear. Sit with me.”
Avelora sat. Tharen sat on the other side, holding Maera’s frail hand. The old woman looked at both of them with eyes full of love.
“both of you gave me joy in my final years,” Maera said. “Avelora, you came to me when you were scared and alone… look how strong you became.”
Avelora wiped her eyes. “Maera, please…”
Maera’s gaze moved over to little Tharen. “Tharen… my brave boy… your spirit is a strong one . One day, the world will know your name.”
Tharen frowned a little cause he didn't understand. “Grandma, why are you talking like that?”
Maera smiled at him, touched his cheek, and whispered, “Protect your mother… and protect yourself.”
Those were the last words she ever spoke.
Her hand slipped from Tharen’s. Her eyes closed softly. Her chest did not rise again.
Avelora couldn't control her emotions, she broke down crying, her tears falling onto Maera’s blanket. Tharen sat quietly, frozen, not fully understanding. Then slowly, he leaned forward and hugged Maera’s still body.
“Grandma… Stans up let's play , it's too early for you to sleep” he whispered. “Please get up…”
But she didn’t answer .
Later that day, Later that night , with the help of the villagers , Maera was buried on the small hill behind the house. Avelora held Tharen’s hand the whole time, her face wet with tears. Tharen didn’t cry until the night came. Then he curled up in Avelora’s arms and sobbed for the grandmother he had lost.
From that day forward, Avelora became even more protective of her son. And Tharen, young as he was, tried harder to help her. He carried heavy baskets. He chopped firewood. He fetched water from the well. He worked like someone much older.
But no matter how much he grew, Avelora never forgot to warn him:
“Tharen… my son don't look for trouble. But if trouble comes to you… never run from it.”
He always nodded. He always said, “I understand.”
But he didn’t truly understand—until the day the beast came.
One faithful beautiful morning, Avelora and Tharen set out early for the fields. They carried hoes, baskets, and ropes along with them . It rained heavily last night so the earth was soft . Birds flew across the sky and other farmers were already tending to their plants.
“Mother,” Tharen said, stretching his arms, “I can work the big field today.”
Avelora smiled. “You can help… but not the big field. You’re still too young.”
Tharen puffed his cheeks playfully. “But I’m strong!”
She laughed a little. “Yes, you are. But you’re still my boy.”
They worked for over an hour, everything was peaceful until a terrible scream was heard accross the field .
A woman nearby dropped her basket and shouted, “Help! Someone help!”
Tharen and Avelora quickly turned.
A huge bush beast had crawled out of the trees—taller than any man, with thick brown fur, sharp teeth, and wild yellow eyes. It charged toward a woman working alone near the riverbank.
Avelora gasped. “Oh no… Serana!”
Tharen saw the woman stumble and fall. The beast lowered its head,wanting to eat her .
Without hesitation, Tharen grabbed a strong fallen branch and moved swiftly towards her.
“Tharen!” Avelora screamed with fear. “Stop! Come back here!”
He ignored and refused to stop. His heart beat hard, but not from fear, something deep inside him pushed him forward to save that woman. Something brave. Something strong.
The beast roared and lunged.
The woman on the ground closed her eyes,she was certain she would die.
Then
CRACK!
Tharen slammed the branch into the beast’s face. The creature reeled back in surprise. It turned slowly toward the boy, growling low.
A farmer in the distance shouted, “Boy! Run!”
Another screamed , “Leave it! It will kill you!”
But Tharen had the words of her mother at the back of his mind:
“Never run from trouble.”
The beast swung its claws swiftly in anger . Tharen ducked and rolled out of the way. He jumped back up and struck its neck. The beast staggered again, shaking its head.
Avelora ran closer, shouting with fear , “Tharen! Please come back!”
The beast roared and charged forward. Tharen stepped aside at the last moment and struck its head with all his strength.
The branch snapped in half.
The beast fell to the ground, stunned.
Tharen didn’t wait. He leaped forward and hit it again with the broken piece. Then again. And again. Until the beast lay still.
Silence spread across the field.
Every farmer stared at Tharen in surprise.
A ten-year-old boy had just killed a full-grown wild beast.
Avelora rushed to him and held his face with shaking hands.
“Tharen… my son… are you hurt?”
“No, Mother,” he said, breathing hard. “I’m fine.”
The woman he saved "Serana" stood up slowly, still shaking.
“You saved my life,” she whispered. “I would be dead if not for you.”
Tharen scratched his head shyly. “I just did what I had to do.”
Avelora hugged him tight, both terrified and proud.
- Writer
