Storyteller Anon Pt.5

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Summary: Anon had adventured across this new world for years, and has reached old age. Still wanting to travel the world but having no money to do so Anon tells stories to get food at each stop while visiting old friends. The traditions, social norms, and political relations of each race are explored followed by Anon telling a story.

Last Chapter: Anon made it to the Zebra village recounting shared secrets and the history of the Great Race. Anon then shared The Tale of the Wazir and The Sage Duban: Part of The Tale of the Fisherman and the Jinni which is part of The Arabian Nights

Posted in Thread 847
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>Your body screamed in soreness; your muscles hollering at your brain.
>The bed you slept on last night was 1/3 your size, and made for a dreadful night.
>But you can suffer for a time from doing a good deed, it meant a lot to the boy.
>In return you told him how to remain in the shade while traveling to the Buffalo lands.

>From plains to jungle to plains again you had cut across the Zebra territory into the Buffalo’s.
>It took much longer to travel through the trees, but it saved you from the heat.
>The Buffalo only cared for the flatlands leaving the trees to the Zebras, their bulk making it difficult to navigate.
>The two got along quite well, their skills in medicine intertwined through the ages.
>They differ on stubbornness to a great degree; the Zebras open minded to the Buffalo’s hardheaded.

>The old saying should probably be changed from Mule to Buffalo.
>But that doesn’t roll off the tongue as well.
>That would probably also anger the Buffalos, and an angry Buffalo is not something you want to come across.
>That was a lesson you learned pretty early, and a good thing too.

>Finding a Buffalo camp was always a pain.
>Their migratory nature kept you guessing each time you came back.
>It didn’t help that they’d also wander into the desert from time to time.
>And the hills.
>Anywhere there weren’t trees it seemed.
>Strange Buffalo.

>Before you left the Zebras had given you a snakeskin flask and leaves to chew to fight off dehydration, something you were eternally grateful for.
>The leaves were of little material value to the Zebras, but the snakeskin was worth more than precious metals.
>They only get it from trade with the Griffons who will occasionally eat such things.
>The Griffons traded it for wood and other minerals, the Zebras eager to test a new ingredient.
>In return for their gifts you gave the Zebra’s a warning.
>Never ask for a Minotaur’s horn.
>Or a P0ny’s for that matter.


>They’ve probably already asked before, but you shared your faux pas with the other races.
>Over the years you’ve done some pretty dumb things as well as honest things you just didn’t know were wrong.
>Although each race had their dignitaries sharing your experiences helped prevent a repeat.
>In the world of global politics you had a unique position being the only one of your kinds.
>You had no loyalties to one race over another, and because of that each respected your input.
>That didn’t stop them from blatantly ignoring you sometimes.

>The ground quakes with a steady rumble.
>Raw power travels through the dirt and up your legs.
>Seems you found the Buffalo in mid migration.

>You move to meet them as quickly as your age would allow.
>They were heading near your direction, but cutting straight through.
>The one in front locks eyes with you but keeps on moving.
>Buffalo don’t stop until they deem the journey done.

>Several pass you, and many more continue to do so.
>Finally one of the elders slows down enough to keep pace.
>”So the Trickster returns.”
>His voice was deep and powerful, even more so than it was in his youth.
>There was no malice or play in his voice, simply stating a fact.

“Will you ever stop calling me that?”
>”Your place has been set Trickster; you of all creatures should know that.”
“That’s all old history now.”
>”Yes, and given what I see you wouldn’t be able to make it to the trees this time.”

>When you first met the Buffalo they hesitantly welcomed you.
>They were very hospitable, but they took offense when you said they were simple.
>Not like in the head, just their way of life.
>Of course they corrected you with words, but you kept digging the hole deeper.
>Their shamanistic beliefs.
>The migrations.
>The smell.
>Eventually they ran you out.


>Being prideful in your youth that didn’t sit well, and when you made your way back around things weren’t exactly friendly.
>The Chief was always the one to address you.
>You shouted at each other with you doing your best to rile him up.
>The Chief’s words weren’t very good at getting under your skin.
>But yours were.

>Worked into a fury he madly charged you.
>You ran with him in pursuit towards the raging river.
>With your narrower form and dexterity you were able to jump from rock to rock reaching the other side.
>Wild beyond reason the Chief continued the chase and plowed into the river.
>The resulting splash resembled Old Faithful.

>As the Chief neared the river bank you ran back across.
>Again and again you did this.
>After a few times the river had drained all fight out of the raving Buffalo.
>You shortly tackled him and claimed yourself the winner.
>Your pride sated you made a snide comment about not getting so angry and left.

>Relations between you and the Buffalo remained strained for a long time.
>The two of you would heckle each other in passing, and often times you would get chased off.
>You never beat a Buffalo in a raw test of strength, and the Chief grew savvy of your tricks.
>One day a famous Medicine Buffalo came to the camp and advised the tribe.
>You all gathered on neutral ground and finally made amends.

>Apparently their mythology had a deity like you in the pantheon.
>A trickster that caused trouble and was often chased away.
>But in those tricks sometimes hid lessons.
>You tried to tell them it wasn’t the case, but Buffalo hold strongly onto their beliefs.
>And the facts were stacked against you.
>One of a kind, wandering vagrant, deceitful, a jackass.
>You relented at that point.


>From it all, the Chief learned to cull his anger.
>And you apologized for being a huge jerk.
>Over the years you sought to make amends and helped when you could.
>You still got chased off from time to time.
>Sometimes you swear trouble follows you.

>”Are you coming to the camp or are you headed for the P0ny lands?”
“I’m stopping at the camp. Truth be told, I’d like to delay revisiting the p0nies as much as possible. How much farther are you going to run?”
>”We’ll be there soon, only about 10 miles to go.”
>You take a look at the sun checking its place in the sky.
“I’ll be there tomorrow.”

>The herd had mostly all passed by now, the elder considering your words and form.
>”Hop on my back and I will take you there.”
“Are you sure?”
>In all your years this is a first.
>You had never been offered to ride on anyone.
>”No tricks.”
“I promise.”

>In a few hours the Buffalo had finally stopped to make camp.
>Despite the added weight, the elder beneath you still carried strong.
>His breath was getting a little heavy though.
“Here take this; a gift from the Zebras.”
>You hand him the snakeskin flask still containing a bit of water as you slowly climb off.
>He looks less than thrilled.
>”You hand me the defiled hide of a living creature?”
>And sounds more than a bit offended.

“Though the snake has died its body continues to nourish life. It has sustained me thus far and will sustain those who are wise enough to use it. I had expected you to be in tune with such things.”
>Sometimes your words just changed when with these Buffalo.
>Just filling the role given.

>”I thought I said no tricks.”
“I swear there are none.”
>He continues to look at the gift suspiciously, eventually pressing it back to you.
>”Sorry, I cannot accept this.”
>Oh well, you tried.
>At least he doesn’t sound offended anymore.


>You both make your way to where the herd has gathered; the Buffalo that was in front earlier calling out to the elder.
>”So the Trickster fooled you into a free ride. That feeble body is clearly just a disguise.”
>You turn towards the elder.
“I don’t remember this one.”
>”That’s the Chief’s son who has grown since your visit, and with the Chief’s passing now leads the tribe.”
”Sorry for your loss, he was a good leader and I’ll honestly miss him.”
>As the herd begins to settle in and build their temporary home the 3 of you travel to the center fire.

>This new Chief was as stoic as his father.
>“He’s one with the land now, though I’m sure he would enjoy hearing your words. Maybe you can share them next time you run into your brother The Keeper.”
>The Keeper was short for Keeper of Secrets who held all knowledge.
>They say The Keeper could send messages beyond time and plane, and was the only one who knew what The Trickster was up to.
>You’re not sure why that last bit bothered you.

“You’ve gotten a lot bigger since last time I saw you. The herd is doing well I take it.”
>”Indeed. What brings you here Trickster? Trick or Treat?”
>You snickered at that.
>Something you told them long ago just to mess with them.
>It was scary how well the role fit sometimes.
>You’d be lying if you said it wasn’t enjoyable.

“I come with 2 gifts for you in acknowledging you as the new Chief, but you may only pick 1.”
>Already he eyed you carefully.
>Was that a hint of worry on his face?

“In one hand I hold all the land; in another I hold a warning. Pick carefully, and let your heart be your guide.”
>You held out both fists fully closed giving no indication which was which.
>Everyone had heard the commotion and rushed to watch.
>There was sweat on the Buffalo’s face as he hovered over each hand.
>Finally he made his choice.


>Honestly it didn’t matter which one he picked, they were both empty.
>You couldn’t really offer the world, but there was a story perfect for the Buffalo.
“You’ve chosen wisely in picking the warning. Let me tell you the story of one who had chosen the other.”
>You wait until everyone gets comfy and then begin.

“Long ago a Buffalo Chief looked over the open plains and his fellow herd and found life to be good. They would migrate to the river and enjoy all the fresh vegetation, then return to the plains when the plants had time to regrow. Life was tough with only the two places to eat, but the herd was strong.”
>You prepare yourself to keep your role as there’s no other equivalent for them.

“The Chief saw the lush fields on the other side of the river and thought how much larger it would make the herd.
‘If only the herd was strong enough to cross the river we would have no more worries about food. With such a herd I wouldn’t even fear The Trickster.’
Little did he know I had heard his words and disguising myself I gave him a bowl of seeds. I told him to feed the seeds to the herd and they would be able to cross the river.”
>It would be nicer to say The Trickster, but they keep looking at you funny when you do that.

“The herd was then able to cross the river with the Chief leading the way. The journey was tough, but now there was so much fresh food. The herd grew and life went on. As they grew so did their needs and life became rough once more. The Chief looked out beyond the hills and saw even fresher foods in the distance.
‘If only the herd was strong enough to run into the hills, then there would be no more worries of food.’
Again I disguised myself and offered a plate of paste and told him to feed it to the herd.”
>The Buffalo were already trying to guess the outcome assuming ‘you’ to be up to no good.


“After eating the paste the herd was able to cross the hills with the Chief leading the way. No other flowers tasted as good as those on the hills, and the herd grew. Eventually life became hard again, and the Chief looked past the desert no one dared to cross spotting untouched plains.
‘If only the herd was as strong as I, then we could cross the desert and there would be no worries of food.’
Again I secretly offered beans and told him to feed it to the herd.”
>Crossing the desert was something the Buffalo only did when at full strength.

“After eating the beans the herd could cross the desert to the untouched spoils with the Chief leading the way. Once more things were good and once more the Chief later lamented.
‘If only the herd was a little bit stronger, then we could eat on the plains, eat past the river, eat on the hills, and eat past the desert.’
I gave the Chief a bowl of berries, but also a warning. Since the Chief did not eat the seeds, the paste, and the beans the berries would be poison to him. The Chief fed the berries to the herd and made sure not to eat any himself.”
>The tale now covered the full migrational habits of the Buffalo.


“Again the Chief ran in front past the plains, through the river, past the hills, beyond the desert and still kept running. The Chief soon became tired, but could not stop as the herd pushed him onward from behind. The Chief ran and ran until his body collapsed to the side, the herd continuing to run off. For a final time I approached the Chief, but this time in my real form.
‘I offer you 2 gifts Chief, but you may pick only 1. In one hand I hold a seed, some paste, a bean, and a berry. In the other I hold Immortality. Pick which one you want.’
The Chief picked the empty hand and I ate the gifts in the other.
‘I grant you Immortality Once Chief of the Buffalo. You shall forever be known through story as the Greedy Fool.’
And I left him there.”
>The Buffalo were quiet as they usually are.
>They gave deep thought to the story and its meaning.
>Several looked as though they expected such an end, but were still surprised in the final act.
>Finally the Chief spoke.

>”Thank you for the warning Trickster, you have indeed come with a treat. Let us celebrate our friend as tradition dictates.”
>They returned your story with their own; one accompanied with music and dance.
>Food was shared with you receiving the largest plate.
>On your plate was some seeds, paste, beans and berries.
>You slept on a simple bedroll that night by the fire looking up into the night sky.
>These Buffalo weren’t half bad.

Source: How Much Land Does a Man Need
http://www.online-literature.com/tolstoy/2738/
Origin: Russian