The Singing Stones

Chapter-4
Jeena and Mohinder followed the new glowing path, their hearts pounding with excitement after helping the moon rabbits. The valley felt more alive, the trees greener, the air fresher. They had done something good here, and they were eager to see what lay ahead.
The path led them through a dense forest filled with towering ferns and winding vines. Strange flowers bloomed along the trail, their petals shimmering as if sprinkled with stardust. Here and there, they could hear the faint rustling of animals hidden in the underbrush, watching them curiously.
After a while, they reached a clearing filled with large, smooth stones arranged in a circle. Each stone was unique—some were tall and narrow, while others were short and wide, and all of them had intricate patterns carved into their surfaces. As the siblings approached, they heard a soft, melodic hum, like music floating in the air.
Mohinder glanced at Maya, his eyes wide. “Do you hear that?”
She nodded, enchanted. The stones seemed to be singing, a beautiful, haunting tune that drifted through the clearing.
At the center of the circle was a single, large stone with a faintly glowing symbol that matched the map. Jeena pulled the map from her bag and studied it closely. “This must be the place,” she said. “The Singing Stones.”
Mohinder ran his fingers along one of the stones, feeling the smooth surface beneath his fingertips. “Do you think we have to solve another riddle?”
Just as he spoke, a low, soothing voice filled the clearing, coming from the stones themselves.
“Welcome, travellers,” the voice said, carrying a musical quality. “You have come to the Circle of Singing Stones, where harmony and unity are needed to lift the curse. Only by working together can you reveal the truth hidden within us.”
Jeena and Mohinder exchanged a glance, intrigued. “What do we need to do?” Jeena asked, speaking to the stones.
The voice replied, “Each of us holds a unique note. Together, we form a song. But to lift the curse, you must discover the right order and play it with care. Only then will our true purpose be revealed.”
The siblings looked around the circle of stones, each one humming softly with a different pitch. It was almost like a puzzle—but this time, a musical one.
Jeena stepped forward and touched one of the stones, and it emitted a low, resonant note. She moved to the next stone and touched it; this one sang a slightly higher note. Slowly, she began touching each stone in turn, listening to the sounds they produced.
Mohinder watched, his mind racing. “I think the song has to go from low to high, like a scale,” he suggested. “But it could be more complicated than that.”
They tried several different combinations, arranging the notes from low to high, but nothing happened. The melody didn’t feel quite right; it seemed to be missing something.
Frustrated but determined, Jeena took a deep breath. “Maybe we’re approaching it the wrong way. What if the song isn’t just about the notes? Maybe it’s also about how we feel when we play it.”
Mohinder nodded, understanding. “Like how we felt with the moon rabbits. We have to put our hearts into it.”
Together, they stood in the middle of the circle, closing their eyes and listening closely to the stones’ humming. Gradually, they started to understand the melody, feeling its rhythm and flow. Each note seemed to call to them, inviting them to play it in harmony with the others.
They placed their hands on the stones in turn, this time focusing not only on the order of the notes but on the emotions they felt—gratitude, wonder, and a deep respect for the valley and all its mysteries.
As they touched the final stone, the song rose to a beautiful crescendo, filling the air with a sound so pure and powerful that it felt like it was coming from the heart of the valley itself.
The ground trembled slightly, and the stones began to glow with a warm, golden light. The melody lingered in the air, resonating in their chests. Then, one by one, the stones stopped humming and the light faded, leaving a peaceful silence in the clearing.
Slowly, a figure began to materialize at the center of the stone circle. It was a spirit, tall and graceful, with flowing robes that seemed to be made of starlight. Her face was gentle and wise, and her eyes held a sadness that was softened by gratitude.
“Thank you, children,” the spirit said in a voice like the wind. “I am Alera, the guardian of the Singing Stones. For centuries, I have waited for someone to come and bring harmony back to our circle. Your song has lifted part of the curse.”
Jeena and Mohinder stood in awe, barely able to believe they were speaking to a real spirit.
“Why was there a curse on this valley?” Mohinder asked, curious.
Alera’s face grew sorrowful. “Long ago, a dark force entered the valley, one that sought to steal the valley’s magic for itself. It cast a curse, draining the life from everything it touched. The creatures and guardians of the valley were bound, unable to protect their home as they once had. The only way to break the curse was to find those who would help restore balance through acts of kindness, courage, and unity.”
Maya’s heart filled with determination. “We’ll keep helping, Alera. We’ll restore this valley one step at a time.”
Alera smiled, a warm light radiating from her. “Thank you, brave travelers. You have awakened the spirit of harmony in the valley. Keep this memory close, for it will guide you in the tasks ahead.”
With a graceful bow, Alera’s form began to shimmer, becoming part of the stones once more. As she faded, the stones glowed with a soft, pulsing light—a sign that they were alive again, restored to their original harmony.
Jeena and Mohinder looked down at the map, which had begun to glow once more. A new path had appeared, leading further into the valley.
“Ready to keep going?” Mohinder asked, grinning at his sister.
Jeena nodded, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. They had lifted another part of the curse and helped restore the valley’s magic. And they were determined to see their adventure through to the end.
Together, they set off down the new path, their spirits high and their hearts open to whatever mysteries lay ahead in the Valley of Wonder.