The Ugliest Man in Town

Everyone knew him as the ugliest man in town, but what they didn’t know was that his face held the power to protect them all.

There was once a man who carried a burden heavier than most…his face.

In his town, he was known as the ugliest man anyone had ever seen. Yet, within the town walls, people treated him with surprising kindness. They smiled at him, offered him food, and made him feel welcome. Because of this, he believed the town was his safe haven, and he never wanted to leave it.

But just beyond the borders, the truth felt different. Whenever he tried to step outside, masked figures would appear. They hurled stones and insults, mocking his appearance until he retreated, ashamed and broken. After years of torment, he decided it was easier never to cross the borders again.

Then one day, devastating news arrived. His mother, who lived in the neighboring town, had fallen gravely ill and wanted to see him one last time. This time, he knew he could not hide or run back home. Summoning courage he didn’t know he had, he marched to the border.

The masked bullies appeared as always, laughing and jeering, but something inside him was different. Fueled by anger and desperation, he fought back with everything he had, and against all odds, he managed to overpower them and tear away their masks.

To his shock, beneath the disguises were the very same townspeople who had always treated him kindly. Their smiles, their friendliness…..it had all been a lie.

When confronted, they confessed. They admitted that they had used him as a shield.

Long ago, an ogre had threatened to destroy the town. But when the ogre caught sight of the man’s face, it recoiled in fear and swore never to return. Since then, the townspeople kept him close, pretending to care while secretly mocking him, all to keep themselves safe.

The man’s heart shattered. The place he thought was his only refuge had been nothing more than a prison built on deceit. Without a word, he returned to his home, gathered his few belongings, and walked away from the town forever.

That very night, the ogre returned. Without the man to ward it off, the town was reduced to rubble, and not a single life was spared.

Moral: Lies may protect for a while, but they always lead to destruction.

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