Looking through a Mirror
A long time ago in a far distant land was a once mighty kingdom. Yet it suffered dearly under an unknown plague. A year passed, and then years, yet the plague showed no signs of abating. The people suffered, but naught could be done. A young prince, but six years of age, mourned for what the plague did to his people. From the palace where he was kept safe he would hear the people crying out to and praying to Ilmater for salvation. The young prince soon began to pray as well.
"You hear their cries, my lord, you hear their prayer. Please, answer them..." asked the little boy, of Ilmater, kneeling with upraised hands.
Another three years pass without a change in the plague, without answer from Ilmater.
So at still a young age he left his kingdom, going abroad to other kingdoms and nations to learn medicine. If Ilmater wouldn't save them, then he would learn how to help cure the plague which had riddled his kingdom for so long. At the age of sixteen the boy, now a fine young man, returned. He had studied with the finest doctors and with him he had brought the cure. Not only had the young prince brought a cure but he had brought healers. Together they were able to finally be rid of the plague.
So much damage had been done in the decade and a half of plague, even after the kingdom was in trouble. So the Prince spent all his time doing what he could to aid his people as they recuperated.
Five more years passed, and the prince was now twenty-one years of age. The Kingdom was finally beginning to prosper once more. Alas, tragedy struck once more as the King passed away. Still young, the boy had to step up to rule the Kingdom and with a heavy-heart he did. That same year the Kingdom was struck with the worst famine it had ever had, which would last a full year.
The now-King fell once more to his knees, supplicating to Ilmater as his people also prayed for salvation. "Ilmater! Your kingdom suffers! Your kingdom cries! Answer their prayers, please!" he prayed, he begged.
But once more, no answer came. Refusing to be cowed, the King ordered his palace to open the royal storehouse. He ordered them to feed the people. "We will eat what they eat, and they will eat what we eat!" he decreed, and thanks to the King and his kindness, his people survived the famine.
The Kingdom rejoiced when the famine was over and the Kingdom was finally able to truly begin to recover, to come back to life. It brought the King joy to see that his people began to smile once more. Yet, he was troubled that Ilmater hadn't answered their prayers. He prayed once more to Ilmater, asking the god: "You did not answer any of their prayers, so I have only one question... Why? Why didn't you?"
The same night the King fell into a deep sleep and dreamed. Standing before him in the dream he saw Ilmater, with his back turned against him. This drew the greatest of ire from the dream-King, and he shouted in anger at the God: "Why have you forsaken us?!"
It was then that Ilmater finally turned towards the dream-King with a kindly smile. In his hands he held a mirror made of polished gold. The King's gaze transfixed upon the mirror as he saw...
A young boy with a broken heart as people suffered, praying for their salvation.
A young prince leaving home at a truly young age to seek aid for the people, to learn all he could, to save them.
A prince who would do all he could to help his people recover when the plague was defeated.
A youthful king who was willing to suffer what his people suffered if it meant they all survived.
Softly Ilmater answered the King, "Sometimes, it is hard to see the answer when you are not looking through a mirror."
It was then that the King realized that it was He who was the answer to the prayer, it was the King himself who Ilmater sent to save his people, and he had done so.
Out there, someone might be hurting and you might just be the answer that their god is sending to them.
Originally told by Miguel de la Luna during the first Day of Stories. Recorded, written and embellished by Minto T Fuzzypaw.