The Great Mystery. Travis Ph.D. Slone
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Chapter 7
As the mysterious old woman approached, she was somehow illuminated more than the surrounding forest. She walked effortlessly, as if her age had taken no effect on her body.
She seemed quite tall to the children, perhaps five feet or so. Her olive skin was similar to that of Amir’s, though it appeared thin and fragile. Her shoulder length hair was a wavy blend of black and grey, and though it blew wildly in the wind, not a single strand ever obstructed her face. Her fierce green eyes glowed like torches in the night as she approached.
The woman paused, patiently observed the area, and finally settled her gaze on the children. Amir and Eva listened closely as she began…
“Hello children,” she said. “Why have you chosen to stray from your familiar paths?”
Eva and Amir had a feeling that the woman’s question might be rhetorical. From what they could tell, it was she who had called them from their paths. The woman’s voice had an uncanny resemblance to the sound of the wind. Eva decided to reply.
“I was walking peacefully in the woods when I heard a voice calling my name,” she explained. “I left my path in search of the voice. I don’t know how I got lost. I was only hoping to find something interesting in the forest.”
“And how did you meet your friend?” asked the woman.
“When I left my path, I found Amir in the woods. He was searching for the voice as well.”
“Do your parents approve of your wandering in the woods at all hours of the day and night?”
The children were silent for a moment, knowing the woman would read any lack of integrity with ease. Then Amir answered.
“No Ma’am,” he said. “They would not approve, but we only got lost while trying to find our way home.”
“Would you like some help?” the woman asked.
Eva’s newfound mistrust of the unknown convinced her that following the mysterious woman was a bad idea. She already feared that this woman’s voice had caused them to get lost in the first place. She and Amir would simply follow the new path back home as planned.
“We’re young,” Eva said, “but I think we can take care of ourselves. Thanks for the offer.”
“Ah. I see,” the woman replied. “Then I’ll let you be on your way.”
The children turned to continue to go, glad that they had averted the strange woman’s temptation. The encounter had nearly ceased, but Eva turned back. She wanted further explanation about something on her mind.
“May I ask you a question?”
“Of course you may,” she replied. “What is it?”
“Well, I recognize your voice from the woods the other day. Why did you call us?” Eva asked.
The woman smiled, thankful that she had asked the question.
“I call for people quite often,” said the woman. “But few have heard my voice. If you have, then you are worthy of my offer.”
“What offer is that?” Eva asked.
“There is a secret treasure, concealed long ago, which offers power beyond your wildest dreams. It is fully capable of bringing peace and harmony to troubled lands, and uniting the entire world. This treasure has existed since ancient times, and is displayed in plain view. Nevertheless, only those who seek my voice can hope to find it, and unlock its full potential.”
Amir and Eva glanced at each other in disbelief that any treasure could be so powerful. As great as it sounded, they were just kids, and could never find it on their own anyway.
“That all sounds great,” Eva replied, “but what’s the catch?”
“I will do for you one of two things,” explained the woman. “First, if you so choose, I will show you the way home. I am aware that you are lost, and anxious to return to your families.”
Intrigued by the sudden possibility of finding their way home, Eva and Amir listened anxiously for the second option.
“On the other hand,” said the woman, “if you can take care of yourselves as you say, I will show you a different way home. You will be given the tools and guidance necessary to lead you to the secret treasure. Unfortunately, I cannot reveal its location, for in order to possess the greatest reward, one must endure the greatest journey.”
With their whole lives in front of them, Amir and Eva imagined the endless possibilities of possessing such a treasure. To unite the world, or even a village, would certainly be amazing. On the other hand, they knew their parents would be worried sick until they returned. By any measure, it was a monumental decision.
The mysterious old woman waited patiently while they considered the options. Whatever the choice, the implications were far greater than they knew.
Chapter 8
After talking it over for a moment, Amir and Eva decided to seek the treasure. They figured that, even if they missed their families, to return home with the treasure would be much more exciting. Never again would the ruling elders look down on them. They fought their suspicions of the mysterious woman, feeling that the reward of believing outweighed the risk of not.
Amir took charge and voiced their decision to the old woman. “We have chosen to accept your offer, and will go in search of the secret treasure.”
“Very well then,” said the woman. “From this day forth you will be driven to find the secret treasure. In an effort to build trust, I have shown you the way home as well…in case you change your minds. As you look to your left and right, you will see that your original paths have been restored.”
Glancing to their sides, as the woman had suggested, the children were shocked by what they saw. Sure enough, starting near the edge of the stone path and wandering into the woods, a lightly worn grassy path went left, and a narrow sandy path went right. Upon seeing this, Amir and Eva were fully convinced of the strange old woman’s miraculous power.
“Your villages are just beyond the horizon,” she promised. “There, you will find the food, water and security that you so desire. However, if you fail to seek the treasure until it is found, you will bring great suffering upon your people. Their food will run out, their water will dry up, and their villages will be burnt to the ground by invading armies.”
Confounded by the idea that returning home would not be safe, Eva and Amir looked at one another, simultaneously having envisioned the impending destruction of their homelands. They wondered if they had done something terribly wrong.
“Why would you bring suffering on our people?” Eva asked. “What kind of person does that?”
“In promising such things for your people,” the woman explained, “I have fulfilled my end of the bargain.”
“How do you figure that?” interrupted Amir. “It seems like we got the short end of the stick on this deal.”
“You ask for the greatest treasure in the world, and then complain about how it is delivered. If you trust that the treasure is real, why question my ways?
“Though the treasure is nearby, it will be very hard to find. If I allow you to go home without consequence, you will give up and never find it. For that reason, you have been given great motivation to search for the treasure.
“Once it is found, you may return home without worry, but until then you must search. Your own decisions will determine the well being of your people.
“I have provided you with the tools, as promised. It is futile to question my ways. I wish you good fortune on your journey, but as for me, I must be going.”
Amir and Eva stood on the cobblestone trail considering where they would begin their quest. While contemplating the road ahead, they listened