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This is a
tale that has been passed down from father to son for many centuries.
The man whom this story is about only knows the truth.
This man was a great wizard named Merlin.
For many years the land in which Merlin was from had been without a
King. Merlin believed it
was his duty to find a new king before it was too late. He set out on a long journey that would take him far from his
homeland to a place now known as Squantz Pond.
When Merlin arrived at Squantz Pond, he instantly knew that this
was where his journey had been leading.
He began by heading north along the western edge of the pond.
Coming to a beach, Merlin continued along the waters edge heading
westward. Merlin stayed as much as 20-30 feet from the water for fear
of the dangerous creatures that may live in the ponds murky depths.
Coming upon a worn path, Merlin was struck with a troubling
thought. How had this path
been made?
Continuing along this path with great caution, Merlin passed a beautiful
waterfall. This waterfall
was intoxicating in its beauty and sound.
It was the type of waterfall spoken of in children’s fairy
tales. Merlin chuckled.
Crossing a bridge, Merlin began heading north along an unmarked trail.
As he followed the path that bordered the edge of the pond,
Merlin came to a small stream. Looking
up to the left, he saw a great boulder curiously balanced on top of the
rocky face of the mountainside. The
feeling of worry returned. How
had that boulder come to be in that place?
Merlin crossed the stream and continued past a second small stream.
Shortly after, Merlin came to another of nature’s obstacles.
The hill in front of him was made of rock and blocked his
progress. With a swish of
his staff, the rock split down the center and roots grew from nearby
trees to create footholds for his short climb.
After a short walk, Merlin came to a “Y” in the trail.
Giving a moments thought, Merlin chose to continue to the left.
Only a few steps down the trail, a large rock the height of most
men zipped by Merlin’s head, landing to the right of the trail.
Quickly looking to the left, up the hill, Merlin’s fears came
alive. A giant lived in
these mountain paths. The
trails had been carved by it. The
boulder had been left by it. The
rock that barely missed Merlin’s head was thrown by it.
In an instant, Merlin had raised his staff and a blue ball raced at the
giant, striking him in the chest and turning him to stone.
Next, Merlin raised his left hand.
A ball of fire red rose from his palm and hung in the air at
shoulder height. Using his
staff like a baseball bat, Merlin swung at the ball.
The ball whizzed at the stone giant and exploded, sending large
boulders for miles along the ponds edge.
Continuing along the trail, Merlin passed another small stream and
eventually came to a wonderful lookout over the pond.
After his recent success with the giant, Merlin was feeling
confident, and chanced a brief respite on such a beautiful area.
After a short rest, Merlin continued along the trail turning to the
right a short ways later to stay closer to the water.
Soon, Merlin came to a trail that ran westward up the
mountainside. This trail
was marked in blood and must have lead to the Giants Lair.
He was pretty certain his journey did not mean to lead him there.
Staying close to the water, Merlin eventually came to a large waterfall.
Up to his left was a cave. Ready
for another attack, Merlin approached the cave carefully and found it to
be empty. After a
while on the trail, Merlin came to a tree on the left with what seemed
to resemble a face. Having
heard of such beings in his travels, Merlin approached the tree and
attempted to speak to it. After
a few words, Merlin quickly felt foolish for the attempt and began
walking down the trail. Suddenly a voice from behind him said, “You don’t wake me
from 100 year sleep and simply walk away.”
Startled, Merlin spun around to see that the tree had in fact
been talking to him. After
introductions the discussion quickly turned to Merlin’s quest.
After saying their goodbyes, Merlin scurried down the trail with a
feeling of purpose. The
tree had told him many things about his quest.
The tree spoke of a trail farther ahead where a smooth rock face
is to the left. This trail
is guarded on the right and left by two birch sentinels.
Twenty-six steps later you will come to a large tree on the right
of the trail with a stone leaning up against it.
Head east down to the water, you will find a tree with many small
rocks around its base. From
there you will be able to call for the one you seek.
But who that person is, the tree refused to say.
Merlin found every thing to be the way the tree had said.
When he arrived at the tree with small rocks around its base, he
was unsure what he was to do. He
did not have a name to call for. Becoming
frustrated, Merlin “pulled” on his long hair and shouted, “I
summon thee … you who have drawn me to this place”.
From out of the water came a woman’s hand bearing a wondrous
sword. “The Lady of the
Lake” as she later came to be known gave to Merlin the sword Excalibur
with instructions that would aid him in finding a new king.
But that is a tale for another time.
**This letterbox was originally placed underwater. It was stolen
only a few short weeks later. It is now replaced on solid ground
220 degrees from the waters edge.
When you have completed “The
Lady of the Lake”
letterbox please email me about your letterboxing experience at … Letterboxer2002@yahoo.com
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