The Shepherd Boy and the Holy Spring
Written by Blaž Kavčič
Long ago, all the waters of the wide world were poisoned. All except for one little spring. It was so pure, so primordial, that those who knew of it called it the Holy Spring.
One day, the last living giant discovered it and, with his immense strength, claimed it for himself. While he drank heavenly water from the spring each day, everyone else lived in misery, sick and poisoned by the tainted waters. No one dared stand against the giant, for he was, after all, a giant—and they were just ordinary people without special powers. But there was someone who had had enough. Someone who decided to put an end to this.
A brave shepherd boy set out on a long journey to the land where the Holy Spring was said to rise. He crossed mountains, forests and poisoned rivers until he finally arrived near the giant. He knew that during the day it would be too dangerous to act, for the giant could crush him with a single blow. So he waited for the night, crept close to the spring and asked:
“Almighty and wise Holy Spring, humankind suffers, and you seem to be the last untainted source of water on this planet. Please, tell me, how can I save my people?”
Illustrated by Gregor Šuštar
The spring replied:
“Fill your pouch and share it with everyone you meet. Encourage others to do the same, and something magical will happen.”
The shepherd boy obeyed. He filled his pouch to the brim and shared its contents with all who lived near the spring and beyond. Along with the water, he passed on the wisdom of the Holy Spring. And indeed—over the next three nights more and more people came to fetch the pure water and share it with their neighbours.
On the morning of the third night, something miraculous happened—all the waters in the world became pure again, their crystal flow nourishing humankind and cleansing away their filth.
The giant was so saddened by this that he no longer saw any purpose in guarding the Holy Spring. He set off on a journey to faraway lands, and no one ever saw him again. On the spot where he had once spread fear, people built a monument in the shape of a drop of water, and the shepherd boy was proclaimed the first honorary guardian of the Holy Spring.