The eclipse is an astrological phenomenon that has fascinated mankind since time immemorial. The mixture of light and shadow in the sky creates an impressive spectacle that transports many souls to a world where magic and dreams come true.
In the year 2030, it was announced that on the same day, in some countries, both lunar and solar eclipses could be observed. In a remote village called Pueblo Nuevo this was destined to happen. There, its inhabitants had different opinions and traditions about it. For that reason some would lock themselves away a month before to absorb the spiritual benefits of such an event; while others would drink an enchanted coffee where time would stand still.
Paula, a teenager who rejects the customs and advice of her parents, belongs to the first group. One day, without flinching, she tells them:
-I'm going to be locked up in my room for a month without talking to you. I will only go out for my basic needs.
Eleodoro and Marisa, parents of the young woman, look at each other. The news, disconcerting, leaves them speechless with shock. Marisa, mother at last, speaks:
-It's all right, daughter. We will respect your decision.
Paula hugs her mother.
-Thank you mom, you understood me perfectly.
With a smile on his lips he goes to his room.
Eleodoro, meanwhile, frowns and with a sharp look rebukes his wife:
-I don't know how you can be so condescending to her. One of these days she may do something crazy.
-Take it easy. Remember that you were the same way in your adolescence. That will pass and she'll be fine.
A month went by. The newspapers announced the eclipse of the moon for eight o'clock at night. That day Paula came out of her seclusion. That night the sky was clear of clouds, revealing a deep sea of stars. In the little red-roofed house, Paula looks out on the balcony and murmurs to herself:
-What a wonder! Nature is beautiful. The eclipse begins.
The teenager, with big curious eyes and curly hair, begins to dance to the sound of the gentle breeze that penetrates through the window until she sees a reddish color in the moon. At that moment a pink unicorn appeared before her eyes.
-Make two wishes, he says to her.
She was bewildered and only managed to say:
-Heal my grandmother Tomasa and bring me a chocolate.
-Wishes granted.
Paula's eyes were wild at the sight of the chocolate. She opens the wrapper, takes out the candy and, little by little, savors it. Meanwhile, the unicorn disappears. That was how Paula lit her heart with pure starlight.
On the other hand, the people were waiting for the solar eclipse; they believed that a mystery would be revealed. Among them was Lucio, Paula's uncle.
On the day of the eclipse, Lucio and his friends went to the only coffee shop in town. As they entered, the aroma of the coffee awakened hidden wonders. All the customers, upon taking the first sip, began to see forgotten dreams. They were transported to a world where light and darkness intertwined, creating a new dawn full of hope. In that instant they opened their hearts and their illusions came to life. A life for each inhabitant that filled them with happiness. A magical world where everyone was absorbed...and suddenly, Lucio with a mischievous smile and a brave heart says:
-I'm going to explore the far reaches of the universe with my cat, Adventurer.
This clarification unleashed the abstraction of those present, creating speculations about Lucio's mental health. Some murmured that they should take him to the city doctor; others said that he had gone mad. While they were discussing what to do with him, Manuel reminded them:
-His great-great-grandmother was nicknamed as the madwoman of the stars. She always predicted strange things.
-But they really happened. Marta says.
-Yes, until she was locked up in the asylum. There she really went crazy because she saw that dark side of other people's lives. Later her relatives managed to get her out and moved her to another town. There she regained her sanity. She helped many people with her wise advice. Later her daughter and granddaughter inherited these gifts. Something that is not observed with Lucio. Manuel clarified.
Lucio, who was discreetly listening to the conversation, intervenes:
-My grandmother did travel to the stars. Those trips are not made with the body but with the soul. You have to have a pure soul to explore the stars. And I will do it with Adventurer. He is an ordinary cat in appearance, but his spirit sets him apart. His whiskers vibrate with every thought, his paws move fast and dance in the gentle breeze. Look at him now.
At that instant, Lucio, with a snap of his fingers, makes Adventurer appear in the coffee shop. Immediately everyone was astonished and changed their minds.
LUCIO, THE ALCHEMIST María del Carmen Sánchez Copyright© 2025
February 24, 2025
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL
El eclipse es un fenómeno astrológico que ha fascinado a la humanidad desde tiempos inmemorables. La mezcla de luz y sombra, en el cielo, crea un espectáculo impresionante que transporta, a muchas almas, a un mundo donde la magia y los sueños se hacen realidad.
En el año 2030 anunciaron que, en un mismo día, en algunos países, podría observarse tanto el eclipse de luna como de sol. En una aldea remota, llamada Pueblo Nuevo esto estaba destinado a suceder. Allí, sus habitantes tenían diferentes opiniones y tradiciones con respecto a ello. Por ese motivo unos se encerraban un mes antes para absorber los beneficios espirituales de dicho acontecimiento; mientras otros tomarían un café encantado donde el tiempo se detendría.
Paula, una adolescente que rechaza las costumbres y consejos de sus padres, pertenece al primer grupo. Un día sin inmutarse les participa:
-Voy a estar un mes encerrada, en mi habitación, sin hablar con ustedes. Solo saldré para realizar mis necesidades básicas.
Eleodoro y Marisa, padres de la joven, se miran entre ellos. La noticia, desconcertante, los deja mudos de la impresión. Marisa, madre al fin, habla:
-Está bien hija. Respetaremos tu decisión.
Paula abraza a su madre.
-Gracias mamá, tú me entendiste a la perfección.
Con una sonrisa en sus labios se dirige a su cuarto. Mientras, Eleodoro, frunció el ceño y con una mirada afilada increpa a su esposa:
-No sé cómo puedes ser tan condescendiente con ella. Un día de estos puede hacer una locura.
-Tranquilo. Acuérdate que tú fuiste igual en tu adolescencia. Eso se le pasará y estará bien.
Transcurrió un mes. Los diarios anunciaban el eclipse de luna para las ocho de la noche. Ese día Paula salió de su encierro. Esa noche el cielo estaba despejado de nubes; dejando entrever un mar profundo de estrellas. En la pequeña casa de tejados rojos, Paula se asoma al balcón y murmura para sus adentros:
-¡Qué maravilla! La naturaleza es bella. Comienza el eclipse.
La adolescente, con grandes ojos curiosos y cabello rizado, comienza a bailar al son de la suave brisa que penetra por el ventanal hasta ver un color rojizo en la luna. En ese momento apareció un unicornio rosado ante sus ojos.
-Pide dos deseos, le dice.
Ella desconcertada solo atina a decir:
-Sana a mi abuela Tomasa y, tráeme un chocolate.
-Deseos cumplidos.
Los ojos de Paula estaban desorbitados al ver el chocolate. Abre el envoltorio, saca el dulce y, poco a poco, lo saborea. Mientras, el unicornio desaparece. Fue así como Paula encendió su corazón con la luz pura de las estrellas.
Por otra parte, el pueblo estaba esperando el eclipse de sol; consideraban que un misterio sería revelado. Entre ellos se encontraba Lucio, tío de Paula. El día del eclipse Lucio, y sus amigos, se dirigieron a la única cafetería del pueblo. Al entrar, el aroma del café despertó maravillas ocultas. Todos los clientes, al tomar el primer sorbo, comenzaron a ver sueños olvidados. Fueron transportados a un mundo donde la luz y la oscuridad se entrelazaron, creando un nuevo amanecer lleno de esperanza. En ese instante abrieron sus corazones y sus ilusiones cobraron vida. Una vida para cada habitante que lo llenó de felicidad. Un mundo mágico donde todos estaban absortos…y de repente, Lucio con una sonrisa traviesa y un corazón valiente dice:
-Voy a explorar los confines del universo con mi gato, Aventurero.
Esa aclaratoria desató de la abstracción a los presentes, creando elucubraciones respecto a la salud mental de Lucio. Unos murmuraban que deberían llevarlo al médico de la ciudad; otros decían que se había vuelto loco. Mientras discutían que hacer con él, Manuel, les recordó:
-Su tatarabuela era apodada como la loca de las estrellas. Ella siempre vaticinaba cosas extrañas.
-Pero ocurrían de verdad. Dice Marta.
-Sí, hasta que la encerraron en el manicomio. Allí si se volvió loca de verdad por ver ese lado oscuro de la vida de otras personas. Posteriormente sus familiares lograron sacarla y la trasladaron a otro pueblo. Allí recobró la cordura. Ayudó a mucha gente con sus sabios consejos. Luego su hija y su nieta heredaron esos dones. Cosa que no se observa con Lucio. Aclara Manuel.
Lucio que escuchaba discretamente la conversación interviene:
-Mi abuela si viajó a las estrellas. Esos viajes no se hacen con el cuerpo sino con el alma. Hay que tener un alma pura para explorar las estrellas. Y yo lo haré con Aventurero. Él es un gato común en apariencia, pero su espíritu lo distingue. Sus bigotes vibran con cada pensamiento, sus patas se mueven rápido y danzan con la brisa suave. Mírenlo ahora.
En ese instante, Lucio, con un chasquido de dedos, hace que Aventurero se presente en la Cafetería. Inmediatamente todos quedaron atónitos y cambiaron de opinión.
Yes! Nature is indeed beautiful, I really love how eclipse had every one's eyes glued to it. It's wonderful see such thing, knowing nature is another beautiful of art itself. Beautiful write up.
Thank you for reading and commenting on my story @jazclassic
This is a story that has good potential, @katleya. But it's very confusing.
In the beginning, we learn about Paula, a teenager who rejects customs. Her parents are Eleodoro and Marisa. Paula is granted two wishes by a unicorn that appears in the eclipse. Then she disappears from the story.
Next there is some dialogue between people named Lucio, Manuel and Marta, but we are never told who these people are. There is discussion of the grandmother who ended up in an asylum and of Lucio's mental health because he believes his grandmother visited the stars.
In the very end there is another new character named Lucius who snaps his fingers and makes the cat appear.
Perhaps something got lost in translation? Or maybe you changed the names of the characters in some places but not in other places? We wanted to call your attention to these issues before curating your story, in case you'd like to fix them.
Thank you very much for your observation @theinkwell . You are right. When translating it, a part of the text was missing; that's why it caused confusion. I apologize. At that moment there was a light failure and I did not check the text I had translated. I thought it had been copied. I will correct it and publish it again.
The Spanish version is complete.
Thank you, @katleya. It makes sense now, and is a very nice story!
Beautiful story @katleya. Ancient beliefs that have been handed down and still remain in some people in their ability to see beyond. Beautiful message. I liked it.
Regards
Thanks for your appreciation @popurri . You got the message I wanted to convey in the story.