Beautiful

With those words, the woman and her mirror vanished into the winter mist.

Just then, a young girl named stepped forward. Elara was a quiet orphan who worked in the village kitchens. She had a large birthmark across her cheek and wore plain, stained clothes. The villagers often ignored her or made fun of her looks. With a trembling heart, Elara looked into the mirror. beautiful

She approached Kaelen by the fountain. "Kind sir," she rasped, "I have travelled for weeks. May I please have a sip of your water and a small piece of bread?" With those words, the woman and her mirror

Kaelen looked at her with disdain. He did not want her dirty hands near his pristine fountain. "Move along, old woman," Kaelen scoffed. "You are ruining the view of the most beautiful spot in the village." She had a large birthmark across her cheek

Curious, the villagers gathered around. The old woman stood up, her eyes suddenly bright and piercing. "This is the ," she announced to the crowd. "It does not show what your face looks like. It reflects the beauty of your soul."