THE BRIDGE OF LOVE

High upon the mountains, a maiden went to the forest to search for her heart. As she walked deep into the forest, Silvanus, the forest god was struck by love at first sight, as he laid his eyes upon her for the very first time. When Silvanus revealed himself to her, she fell in love with him at once. In the arms of Silvanus she found her heart, at last. In the midst of the forest, between a god and a mortal, love had just begun.

Silvanus’ life on Earth depended on the largest tree in the forest. Since the day he was born, he guarded the largest tree. He was a god who lived for one purpose, to protect the forest he loved. But, as soon as he fell in love with the maiden, his passion had turned, to protect and love the woman he desired. Together, they lived happily in the forest, until the villagers needed a wooden bridge to cross the river to go to the neighboring land.

The villagers decided to cut down the largest tree in the forest, the one Silvanus’ life depended on. They went to the forest, and without any doubt, they cut down the largest tree. The moment the tree was cut, Silvanus lifeless body fell on the ground. The poor maiden’s heart was shattered into pieces at the sight of her beloved’s death. On bended knees she begged and begged the villagers to bring back the god she loved. But, it was too late, the tree was down and he had vanished from her arms.

To make a wooden bridge, the villagers finally had the log they needed. But, to their dismay, they could not move the log, even just a tiny bit. Two hundred men took turns to push and pull the one huge log. But, as still as the trees that day, no movement was ever made. The giant log was as stiff and still as a dead man’s body in his grave.

The villagers realized their mistake and regretted cutting the largest tree. They begged for the maiden’s forgiveness and prayed to the god she had seen. The kind, brokenhearted maiden understood their needs. So, she stood up, and began to walk to the largest, dead tree. Two hundred men stepped aside to give her way, as she approached the tree. Then, she cried out loud his name, “Silvanus!”, as she poured her tears and fell down by that lifeless thing. For one last time, she hugged and kissed the log that represented her beloved. Then, she tightly held the rope that was tied around it and pulled with all her might. Alas! To everyone’s surprise, the log had moved with so much ease within her hands.

The clouds grew dim, and the wind began to blow heavily that day, as if the heavens knew, she was bringing her beloved to his grave upon the hills where the river ran deep and wide. The villagers watched her in awe and sadness, as she pulled the giant log with tears in her eyes and passed by them, one by one. Today, the wooden bridge is now on its place and in the villagers’ hearts. Since then, they have called it, “the bridge of love,” where now, they cross with awe and thanks. The bridge of love, where by its side lays the maiden’s tomb, since the day they took away her love. 

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©Jocelyn del Rosario