Adele's Stories

I had been wandering for days. My legs were killing me and I was almost out of food. Luckily I was traveling next to a stream, so I wasn’t short on water. The ground slowly began to descend and the stream grew until I found myself at the edge of a waterfall. I looked down and sighed. A quick scan of the area told me there was a zig zag path that could take me down. It was steep and appeared to haven’t been used in years, but it could take me down. And I’d have to cross the river first. 

I slipped off my shoes, tied them together and slung them over my shoulder. The water was cold, but bearable. The current tugged trying to sweep me away, but the water only stood ankle deep. I could resist it easily enough. I watched the clear, sparkling water flow around as I waded carefully through it. The rocks at the bottom shimmered like diamonds under the sun. 

I climbed out on the opposite bank and shook my feet dry before replacing my shoes and attempting the trek to the bottom. As I grew close to the bottom I noticed smoke rising from the trees a little ways away. I could tell the smoke came from a campfire. I judged the distance from the smoke to the river and decided it would be worth the risk to see if this person could offer any help. And if not I was sure I could find my way back to the river. 

I leapt the last of the trail and made my way into the trees following the smoke. It wasn’t long before I stumbled upon the camp. I looked around confused. There was an old man sitting on a log smoking on a pipe with a white beard that went down to his waist and white hair that was nearly as long. But what confused me was that there was nothing else. There was no tent, sleeping bag, food, he didn’t even have a bag, not even a small one. It was just the man with his pipe. Out in the middle of the wilderness. Alone.

He looked up at me and smiled. “Well then. Who might we have here?” 

“I-I’m lost.” I stammered. 

“Well that can’t be true. You found me.” His smile broadened. It was a very disarming smile. I looked into his eyes and saw a surprising amount of mirth. There was also kindness and hospitality. To my relief there was no malice. I felt deep in my bones that I could trust this man. He motioned to the log on the other side of the fire. 

“Why don’t you sit. Rest for a while.” I gladly accepted his invitation and set my bag down beside me. 

“Who are you?” I finally managed to ask. He leaned forward, towards the fire and took a puff of his pipe. 

“I am a weary traveler.” 

“Is that all?” He lifted his gaze to mine again. 

“That is all.” 

I figured that was all the answer I was gonna get, so I let it drop. We sat in a comfortable silence for a minute. I watched as the weary traveler puffed smoke rings into the air before he finally spoke again. 

“What about you lost one? What’s your story?” 

“Well it was supposed to be a simple hike. One that I’ve gone on many times before. But I got distracted and wandered off the trail. Now I have no idea where I am. I just want to go home.” The last part came out almost as a whisper. But I knew he could hear me. 

He nodded in understanding. “Sometimes when we focus too much on ourselves we can lose our way. But the right guide can lead us back to the right path. Even if it means having to turn around completely and start again.” 

I didn’t answer. I didn’t know how to. Suddenly he stood up. “Well then. I suppose I’ll be a sufficient enough guide. Come along then.” He stomped the fire out and began walking back towards the stream. He leaned on a tall walking stick that I hadn’t noticed before. I watched him go for a minute before following. What other choice did I have? Worth a try, at least. 

We continued to walk alongside the river, for what seemed like hours. The weary traveler seemed to always remain just ahead of me no matter how hard I tried to catch up to him. Eventually I resigned myself to following him in silence. Eventually he turned away from the river and headed back into the trees. We walked through brush and bramble and I had to shove so many branches aside I was afraid I might lose my guide. But I never once lost sight of him. And then suddenly he stopped. 

He spun to face me and smiled. “Here we are.” I stared at him incredulously. But when I looked around I was shocked. I was right back at the place where I first wandered off the path. I was speechless. 

“Maybe this time you should stick to the path.” He patted my cheek before turning and disappearing back into the trees.