The Woodcarver’s Song

【1】 i·Lírë tautamóva

 

► The Woodcarver’s Song

【3】 Quilda tautamo i a-esta Taurion marnë haira missë i·taurë yárë nornoron.

           

► A quiet woodcarver named Taurion lived deep within a forest of ancient oaks.

¶ Lan tautamor i·ardassë yuhtaner carmar ango ar romyë nambar cantiën tamaneltar, Taurion mótanë quildavë ar yuhtanë cirma rië.

                   

► While other woodcarvers in the region used iron tools and loud hammers to shape their things made from handcraft, Taurion worked in silence and used only a knife.

¶ Canantes toinë aiwi, arassor, callor i nemner coinë.

          

► He made wooden birds, stags, and heroes that looked alive.

¶ Lië quenter i polintë cenë taion nefië.

       

► People said they could see them breathing.

¶ Enequessi i yuhtanes luhtu, hya i túves luhtaina töa endassë taureo.

            

► Rumors spread that he used magic, or that he discovered enchanted timber in the center of the woods.

【4】 Vinya parmo caraitë ostollo tollë tammenyanna, caira parë manen carë i·töa nemë coina.

              

► A young apprentice from a bustling city arrived at his workshop, eager to learn how to make the wood come alive.

¶ Minya aureryassë, i·vinyarë lepentë maica catal ar yesentë palpa ronwa þono túra nírenen, merila elenta Taurion.

                  

► On his first day, the youth picked up a sharp chisel and began to strike a block of pine with great force, hoping to impress Taurion.

¶ Taurion sestanë má i·almossë yonyova ar quanþë carya.

        

► Taurion placed a hand on the boy's shoulder and shook his head.

【5】 Minomë mótiéno, Taurion tullë i·parmo haira missë i·taurë.

         

► Instead of working, Taurion brought the apprentice deep into the forest.

¶ Ter auresatta, úneltë appa reä alda.

       

► For hours, they did not touch a single tree.

¶ Minomë, Taurion canyanë i·yonyo þacë hendyar ar lasta rië.

          

► Instead, Taurion commanded the boy to close his eyes and simply listen.

¶ Ilqua i·vinyarë hlassë ná i·sú, mal lan auresattar lútaner, yesentes hlarë láma i levilë sulcaron, hyassë i·arihallë lassion, mirya lírë i·taureo.

                         

► All the youth heard was the wind, but as the hours passed, he began to hear the sound of the old roots moving, the rustle of the highest leaves, and the beautiful song of the forest.

【6】 “Ilya runda colë lírë taureo,” Taurion hlussanë sen yá entullettë i·tammenna.

            

► <Every piece of wood carries the song of a tree,> Taurion whispered to him when they returned to the workshop.

¶ Qui lastal san ríþimávë, quetuvas tyen mana meris ola.”

          

► <If you listen to it carefully, it will tell you what it wishes to become.>

【7】 i·Parmo tuntanë sa nanwë túrë ú-tullë niriëllo cantassë, mal tuviëllo i·canta imissë tensi.

              

► The apprentice realized that true mastery did not come from forcing the wood into a shape, but from discovering the shape already inside.

¶ Tana rello, i·tammen lemenyë quilda, enga moica lírë i·suryo.

           

► From that day on, the workshop remained in silence, save for the gentle song of the wind.