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Tell Me a Story: | |
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By Amy Friedman |
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Long ago, a young man named Cynon decided ,to venture into the world to seek adventure. He ,traveled on horseback over mountain ranges, to distant shores, and each time he met someone, he asked where he might find something new. One day, very near the boundaries of the world he came upon a man and asked, "Where can I find something new? I'm looking for adventure." The man pointed to a track that led into a deep, dark forest. "Go there and you will find a marvel such as none you've ever seen before," the man said. Cynon galloped that way at once, and before he had gone far, the path narrowed. Towering, ancient trees rose up on either side of him and spread their branches so that they created a vault over his head. The horse began to trip over the gnarled roots on the forest floor, and Cynon was surprised to realize that the place was completely silent. He did not hear a single sound, even the wind was still. After traveling for a while, he came upon a meadow drenched in sunlight and filled with every imaginable flower. Birdsong filled the air. In the center of the clearing, Cynon saw a grassy mound, and on its peak stood a creature such as he had never before seen. He looked like a stag, but he was enormous, and Cynon stood motionless, watching as the
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creature grazed. As Cynon watched, another creature appeared beside the stag. This was a man, but he was gigantic. His arms grew from a wide torso, which tapered to a single limb below, which rested upon one large foot Cynon stared in disbelief, and then he looked closer. The creature had just one unblinking eye in the center of his head.,
Cynon bowed. "I am Cynon," he said. The giant stared at him, then thundered, "Leave this place. You are only a mortal and do not belong here." "What powers do you have to make me leave?" Cynon asked, for though he was nervous, he was a bold young man. The giant half-smiled. "Little man," he said, his voice sinking to a whisper, "I will show you my power." And with that he struck the iron club he held upon the stag's back. The stag roared, and his roar shook the world. The birds stopped singing and the air grew still again, Then, from every comer of the forest Cynon heard whispers and footsteps, cackling and crowing and cawing and roars. Suddenly, a thousand animals rushed into the clearIng. Cynon stood amazed as he watched hares, foxes and badgers, deer and boars and wolves, saber-toothed cats and mammoths and slithering serpents rush to the mound. Cynon's horse whinnied and bucked and tried to back away, but Cynon held him tightly as he watched, mouth open wide. The creatures kept coming. When they had gathered, the giant raised his club. "Bow to me," he commanded, and every animal bowed its head. "Little man," the giant said to Cynon, who also had bowed his head, "you have now seen my power, for I am Cerunnos, master of the animals. Whatever I ask of them, they will do. Now you know you must leave this place." Cynon turned and rode straight back to his land. Again and again he told people his tale. "Somehow, he said, "I traveled through the veil of time to an earlier age, and I have learned an important lesson that I must teach to all humankind. "We must always remember that the powers of the ancient days remain alive in our world. We may not see them, but they thrive, and give life and wealth, danger, joy and fear, and we must never forget to honor them. for they are always with us.
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