TREASURE

The crop had been a failure and the family were growing weak from lack of food with no money to purchase any. The boy had heard a rumor about a strange old man up on the mountain with treasure. He had left home very early, sneaking out to climb up the mountain in hopes of finding the old man. He was said to be good hearted and generous to those with a good heart and proper manners.

            The boy struggled to the top of the plateau, rested momentarily then, seeing a cabin went over to it. On the porch sat an old man rocking merrily in an old rocking chair. The boy could not decide which looked more ancient, the man, the cabin or the chair. The old man had a long grey gnarled uncombed beard that flowed down onto his chest. He was dressed like a woodsman, but still there was an air of mystery about him as if he were unaffected by the world. His eyes smiled as he spoke, and as the boy looked deeply into them, it was as if all the secrets of the universe dwelled there; unseen worlds and mystical insights were apparent, attracting the boy’s attention. The old man’s words spoke lyrical and poetic. Magic seemed to be everywhere and the forest animals that surrounded him were unafraid of his shotgun.

“Hello, boy. Have you come for my treasure so early in the morning?” the old man asked.

“Yes sir, I apologize for my promptness, but you know how fast rumors spread, and I wanted to avoid any competition,” the boy responded.

“Yes of course, my good lad. Industriousness and determination are nothing to apologize for, and those traits will get you far in life.”

“Thank you, sir,” the boy uttered.

Just then the old man’s beard started to move and out of one twisted, gnarled section a nest of hair unraveled revealing a wood nymph. As the boy looked on, he could see a miniature foot sticking out on the other side of his beard, which in fact resembled something more like a hammock than facial hair as a whole host of residents reposed in slumber there.

“Who has awoken me at this ungodly hour prattling on about nonsense?” cried the nymph with frustration in her voice.          

The old man began to laugh. “I am sorry if we disturbed you Penelope. Were we talking loudly?”

“Well only loud enough to wake the dead as I was sleeping so soundly. I could have used another week!”

“My apologies,” the boy uttered “Maybe I can come back at another time?”

“Nonsense,” said the old man. “Penelope is just grumpy, that is all.”

“I will tell you what,” offered Penelope. “There is something of value in my hand. Tell me what I am holding and you may keep it?”

While Penelope was speaking, an ant had climbed up the boy and now reached his ear unseen by the wood nymph. Climbing up on his earlobe, the ant spoke clearly into his ear.

“It is a beautiful white diamond,” whispered the ant.

“All right now speak up. What am I holding? The longer I am awake the less generous I become,” warned Penelope.

“A beautiful diamond,” the boy responded without hesitation.

The wood nymph was shocked that the boy had guessed correctly, but grudgingly gave him the diamond.

“All right, very clever,” Penelope said. “You guessed it, but if you don’t leave now the diamond will vanish before you get home. Leave now and let me return to my slumber and you may keep it!”

The boy said a hurried goodbye to the old man and the wood nymph, thanking them both profusely as he retreated down the mountain much richer than he had ascended, anxious and proud to bring the gem to his poor family. The diamond would pay for new seed and supplies to feed them.

In a months’ time the boy returned to the mountain to thank the old man and Penelope the Nymph again for their generosity, bringing an apple cake in appreciation. In the interim, seed had been purchased and planted, and had taken root. Food had also been secured with the funds received from the sale of the gem.

Upon reaching the summit and stepping onto the plateau the boy was surprised to find a barren landscape with no cabin, animals or inhabitants in sight as if all had vanished having completed their philanthropic task.

Jim

July 2020