I touched the hairpin that adorned my hair, recalling the moment my mother first shared the story of the pin.
"You know, my love, there's more to the Phoenix's tale. Not only did she rise from the ashes, but she also left something behind—a token of her power and grace. It's said that she shed a feather that was no ordinary plume after her first rebirth. It gleamed with the same fire from which she had been reborn, and a master goldsmith, working under the light of a full moon, forged a delicate hairpin. It wasn't just a beautiful adornment; it carried the essence of the Phoenix's eternal spirit. Her power to rise, renew, and face any challenge with grace and strength."
My eyes lit up like a child's. "A hairpin? Really? Who wore it, Mama?"
My mother smiled mysteriously. "It was passed down, worn by queens, warriors, and wise women. The first to wear it was a queen of a forgotten kingdom, known for her wisdom and fierce protection of her people. She wore it as a personal connection to the Phoenix, and it was said that as long as the pin remained in her possession, the kingdom would never fall. And for many years, it didn't."
I shot straight up in bed, hanging on every word. "But what happened to it?"
"It is said that the hairpin was given to the queen's general on the last day of her life. He had given his life in service of his queen, and as she had no daughters, she deemed this man's daughter worthy of wearing the pin."
"It is said, though, that the hairpin's journey was never smooth from that point on. Some say a jealous rival stole it; others believe it was hidden away, waiting for the right person to claim it. The last known owner was an Empress from the East, who cherished it as the heart of her empire. She wore it in her dark flowing hair."
I gently ran my hand through my hair, feeling the weight of the pin securing my dark, flowing locks. Its metal emitted a faint warmth, as if recalling memories just as I was. It nudged me forward, reminding me of its purpose, reserved only for those possessing three essential traits:
Courage to embrace change, unshakeable resilience, and grace in adversity.
I faced the figures, unaware that the pin had already settled on my head. The first and last tines of the comb encircled my head as though nestled there comfortably.