My First Encounter with the River Goddess

My First Encounter with the River Goddess

I had always longed to see the goddess of the river. I knew she was a female deity, but beyond that, I knew very little. Still, I had heard she was the friendliest river divinity anyone could meet, at least outside my ancestral home.

One particular day, my curiosity and desire led me to stand at her riverbank. The waters called to me. Slowly, I stepped in. The cold gripped my skin as it always did, but I kept going—deeper and deeper—until I finally dove in.

After some time beneath the surface, I began to hear the distant rhythm of drums. The more I swam toward the sound, the louder it became, as if guiding me. Soon, I came upon a magnificent door—so beautiful that it seemed to shimmer in the water’s light.

Just as I was about to open it, a figure appeared—the doorkeeper. He asked for my pass. My heart sank. This was my first time visiting, and I had nothing to present. Resigned, I turned to leave.

But then I heard a voice.
"Let her in."

I turned back to see the door slowly open. Inside, the goddess awaited me. She welcomed me warmly, her presence both radiant and comforting. What followed was pure enchantment—stories, music, and wonders beyond imagination.

When the time finally came for me to return to the surface, I approached her to say goodbye. But she refused. With a soft smile, she said she enjoyed my company and wanted me to stay a few more days. I pleaded to return, but she never let me go.

If you want, I can also rewrite it in a poetic form so it feels even more mythical and immersive, almost like a folk tale.