BookClub logo

A coveted cut

In the small village of Montaigne, a legend had circulated for generations about a golden cup adorned with precious stones, called the Cup of Harmony. This cup, according to legend, had the power to unite hearts and calm conflicts. It was protected in the old castle on the hill, belonging to the De Rochefort family.

By Christine HochetPublished 7 months ago 7 min read

In the small village of Montaigne, a legend had circulated for generations about a golden cup adorned with precious stones, called the Cup of Harmony. This cup, according to legend, had the power to unite hearts and calm conflicts. It was protected in the old castle on the hill, belonging to the De Rochefort family.

One morning, as the villagers gathered in the marketplace, a rumor spread like wildfire: the cup was going to be exhibited for one day only, to commemorate the village's history and celebrate harmony among the inhabitants. The exhibition attracted huge crowds, but it also attracted ill-intentioned people, desperate to get their hands on the precious cup.

Among the villagers were three inseparable friends: Emma, ​​a curious and courageous young girl; Lucas, a shrewd and cunning boy; and Clara, a dreamer with a heart of gold. Together, they had heard of the legends and were particularly fascinated by the Cup of Harmony.

"We must go see the cup!" Emma suggested, her eyes shining with excitement. "Imagine the beauty of gold and precious stones!"

"Yes, but let's not forget that the cup is precious to everyone," Clara warned. "We must make sure it stays safe."

On the day of the exhibition, the three friends headed to the castle, their hearts pounding with excitement. Upon arrival, they were dazzled by the splendor of the cup, which shone under the twinkling lights. Villagers flocked around, admiring its brilliance and listening to the stories surrounding it.

However, as the children enjoyed the event, a mysterious man, wearing a dark cloak, watched from the shadows of a tree. He had heard about the cup and wished to acquire it for himself.

As the day progressed, Emma, ​​Lucas, and Clara began exploring the castle. They discovered a dusty library filled with ancient books, and while leafing through a spellbook, they found stories about the magic of the cup. According to the writings, the cup could also protect the village from misfortune, but only if used with a pure heart.

"We have to make sure the cup stays here," Lucas said, a serious look on his face. "If someone takes it away for selfish reasons, it could cause disaster."

As they spoke, the mysterious man slipped into the castle, taking advantage of the commotion. He headed towards the room where the cup was displayed, his mind full of evil plans.

"I must be quick," he muttered to himself. "This cup must belong to me."

At the same time, Emma, ​​Lucas, and Clara exited the library and spotted the man approaching the cup. Alerted, they rushed to stop him.

"Hey! What are you doing?" Emma shouted determinedly.

The man turned around, surprised, but he didn't lose his composure. "I'm here to admire the cup, nothing more," he said honeyedly, but his eyes betrayed his intentions.

"Don't lie! You're trying to steal her!" Clara exclaimed, stepping forward bravely.

Suddenly, the man pulled a small device from his pocket, and a cloud of smoke formed around them. The children coughed from the smoke, but Emma, ​​determined, managed to grab the man's arm before he escaped.

"Let go of me!" he yelled, but the children were already holding him together. Lucas, with his quick thinking, found a way to immobilize him using an old chain he found in the room.

"Now let's call for help!" said Lucas, while Emma and Clara made sure the man couldn't escape.

The villagers, alerted by the noise, came running and discovered the scene. The man, realizing he could not escape, finally surrendered.

With the help of the villagers, the man was brought in, and calm returned to the castle. The children, though exhausted, were delighted to have protected the cup. The villagers thanked them warmly and celebrated their bravery.

"You have shown great courage today," said the village mayor, presenting each of them with a small gift. "You are the true guardians of the Cup of Harmony."

Emma, ​​Lucas, and Clara smiled at each other, happy to have acted together to protect something so precious to their community. They realized that the true value of the cup lay not only in its gold and precious stones, but in the harmony and unity it represented for the villagers.

From that day on, the Cup of Harmony was not only a symbol of beauty, but also of courage, friendship, and protection. The three friends, as guardians of the cup, promised to watch over their village and contribute to the harmony of their community.

Years passed, but the legend of the cup and the brave children who protected it was passed down from generation to generation, reminding everyone of the importance of unity and love within their village.

The Secret of the Cup"

After protecting the Cup of Harmony, Emma, ​​Lucas, and Clara became heroes of the village of Montaigne. Thanks to their bravery, the cup became a symbol of community unity. The villagers, inspired by the actions of the three friends, decided to hold an annual festival in honor of the cup, celebrating harmony, peace, and solidarity.

However, although the cup was now safe, the children had noticed something strange. Whenever they gathered to discuss the cup, they felt a mysterious energy emanating from it. Over the months, they devoted their free time to learning more about its history and magical properties.

One day, while searching through the castle archives, Clara came across an old manuscript that spoke of the cup. Inside, she discovered a forgotten legend that said the Cup of Harmony was linked to an ancient nature spirit, known as Sylva, who watched over the village's forests and rivers.

“Listen to this!” Clara exclaimed, running to her friends. “According to this legend, the cup can only truly wield its power if it is used to bring people together with pure intent. But there is also a warning… If the cup is used with evil intentions, it could cause uproar in the community.”

"That explains why the man in the dark cloak wanted to steal it," Lucas observed. "He didn't want to unite people, but to sow chaos."

“We must ensure the cup is used properly,” Emma added. “But perhaps we should also find out how to contact this spirit, Sylva.”

Together, they decided to embark on a new adventure: to find Sylva and understand how to strengthen the bonds of their community through the cup. They spent several days gathering information on ancient rituals and sacred sites that could help them.

Their search led them to a clearing in the heart of the forest, where a large oak tree stood, reputed to be the oldest tree in the village. According to legend, this tree was a point of connection between the world of humans and that of the nature spirits.

On the day of their expedition, they brought the Cup of Harmony with them. Arriving at the clearing, they placed the cup at the foot of the majestic tree. Clara, with a mixture of awe and excitement, began reciting the words they had discovered in the manuscript, imploring Sylva to manifest herself.

“Spirits of nature, we come with pure hearts and sincere intentions. We desire to preserve harmony in our community and learn how to use the cup to bring people together.”

Suddenly, a gentle breeze rose, and the leaves of the tree began to rustle. A green and gold light emerged from the trunk, taking the form of an ethereal silhouette. Sylva appeared before them, radiating ancient wisdom.

“I have heard you, young guardians. Your devotion to harmony is precious. The Cup of Harmony is a powerful tool, but remember that its power lies in the intention with which it is used.”

The children listened attentively in awe. Sylva continued, "To strengthen the bonds of your community, you must organize a grand celebration, where everyone can share their talents and stories. The cup will shine brightly when unity reigns among you."

"How can we do this?" Emma asked impatiently.

“Bring the people together, invite them to share their culture, their music, their art. Encourage them to participate in activities together. The cup will only shine when every heart is united in joy and love.”

Sylva stepped forward and touched the cup with her fingertips. The gold of the cup glittered, and visions of rituals of dance, music, and storytelling appeared before the children.

“Be courageous and determined. The path to harmony requires effort, but I will guide you.” And, with a kind smile, the spirit disappeared in a burst of light.

The children, filled with inspiration, thanked Silva for his wisdom. They understood that their next mission was to organize a festival that would bring the entire village together.

Back in Montaigne, they began preparing for the grand celebration. They sent out invitations, encouraging the villagers to prepare music and dances, and to share their talents. On the day of the festival, the village square was decorated with garlands of flowers, and laughter filled the air.

The villagers gathered, bringing their traditional dishes, musical instruments, and stories to tell. Emma, ​​Lucas, and Clara took the cup and placed it at the center of the feast. It shone, emitting a warm light.

As night fell, a wonderful dance began, with everyone holding hands with their neighbors, creating a human chain of joy and unity. The cup shimmered brilliantly, reflecting the love and harmony of the community.

This festival became a tradition, a reminder that the true wealth of the village of Montaigne lay in its people and their ability to unite. Each year, the Harmony Cup shone a little brighter, and the village flourished, guarded by children, now teenagers, still determined to preserve harmony and share the lessons of the past.

Thus, Emma, ​​Lucas, and Clara continued to be the guardians of the cup, ensuring that its power was used with wisdom and love, while ensuring that the legend of the Cup of Harmony endured through the ages.

Club

About the Creator

Christine Hochet

uojno

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2026 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.