The Tale of the Humble Potter

Once upon a time, there was a man. This man's name was Leonardo and he was a potter. Everyday at noon, as he skillfully created amazing feats of clay, he gazed out his window for his most recent obsession. He could always recognize her by the delicate red flowers she wore in her platinum mane. Her name was Juliana, and everyday, Leonardo would watch as she led her family's cow to the pasture after it's daily milking. Day after day, from his humble little hut, he would pause for few moments, just to watch Juliana make her daily trek.

His sea-green eyes would gaze at her with an ever increasing intensity that comes only with true love, until she made her way back toward the village and left his sight, only to return to his work a few moments later. This went on for many months, until nearly a year had gone by, with nary a word spoken from one to the other. And it would have continued as such, if not for the events of one particular afternoon. Juliana's father found himself desiring a vase to decorate his beloved daughter's bedroom. He knew that it would be filled everyday with fresh flowers from her beloved garden, which was rumored to be one of the most beautiful in the land.

So it was, that he paid a visit to Leonardo one sunny afternoon to commission him to make a vase as beautiful as the flowers in his daughter's garden. Leonardo, a soft-spoken man who rarely chose to speak at all, whispered his agreement and it was decided that he would deliver the vase to Juliana's house in two weeks. And for the next two weeks, he labored non-stop, except for a few moments at mid-day to watch the lovely Juliana make her daily trek. Even when the sun descended beyond the western plain, he paused only to light a solitary lantern before returning to his work. He neither slept, nor ate and his appearance quickly became haggard and strained, but his eyes retained their vibrancy and continued to shine with love for the maiden who passed him by everyday, but had hardly given him a glance.

Finally, the day came when Leonardo was to deliver the vase to Juliana's father. He carefully covered his creation in a piece of un-dyed silk and made his way through the village to her house. Arriving at the door, he was shown into the living room by Juliana's father, where Juliana awaited them. Her gaze remained passive, until Leonard's creation was uncovered, where her mouth parted in amazement. For her eyes beheld the most beautiful vase she had ever scene. It's shape and hue was perfect in every way and the flowers etched into it's sides were so realistic that she felt she could almost smell their sweet perfume.

It was then that her gaze turned to the humble man who had made such a beautiful object and she found herself caught in the intensity of his gaze. His sea-green eyes said what words could not and from that day forward, Juliana found herself finding more and more excuses to pass by his humble hut. Several more months passed and Juliana found that she had fallen in love with the soft-spoken potter whose work had utterly captivated her. But she was a timid girl herself and did not know how to approach him.

One day, after answering the door, she found herself face to face with the eyes that had taken her every thought captive. In this moment, her eyes said what words could not and Leonardo gave her a rare smile to show that he had heard her. He had noticed her increasingly frequent walks that led her past his hut, and he had noticed how the look in her eyes had grown to match his own. With his heart daring to hope for what his mind would not, he had gathered his courage and knocked at her door, not knowing what he would say. But it soon became apparent that words were not necessary and Juliana's father, who had watched their silent exchange with a knowing smile on his face was elated to attend their wedding a month later.

Juliana left her father's home to live with Leonardo in his humble hut, and busied herself with creating a new garden in their backyard. Soon, the land behind their hut teemed with life, both plants and animals flourishing under her nurturing hands. The villagers claimed that her garden was so beautiful that even gnomes and fairies were known to frolic through the sun-kissed flowers.

Life was good to the young lovers and even when Juliana's father passed quietly in his sleep, their love helped them through their mourning. And when their tears had dried, they placed a picture of the old man on the mantel and moved on with their lives. They were blessed with seven children, each of whom had their father's sea-green eyes and their mother's nurturing hands.

Twenty-five wonderful years passed before tragedy struck. The annual carnival came to town and one of the tigers escaped it's cage, tearing through Juliana's beautiful garden and sinking sharp teeth into it's caretaker. When Leonardo got to her side, it was too late and in a silent rage, he stabbed the animal through the heart with a pitchfork. When his children returned from their day at the fair hours later, it was to find their father weeping over their mother's body, still lovely even in death.

After that, the previously quiet man became a mute, speaking not even to his own children. He went through the days silently, caring for his children until the youngest was grown and married. Fifteen years after his beloved wife's death, Leonardo passed in his sleep; quietly, as had always been his way. When his children found him the next morning, they wept tears of sorrow for their loss and tears of joy because they knew he had gone to be with his wife. It was the youngest who noticed the item on the dresser, with a note attached to it.

It was a vase, plain and simple with none of the colors and embellishments that had made Leonardo so famous in life. But it held a muted beauty all the same and even without reading the note, the children knew what it was for. A few days later they buried their father's ashes next to their mother's in the garden that still teemed with life, even without Juliana's touch. His ashes, like hers, had been sealed in a vase of his own making. But while hers had been vibrant and covered in the most beautiful flowers, his was simple and it's color muted. They were so incredibly different, yet anyone could could see that they belonged together. And that is where they will remain for all eternity.