esson 55: The Investiture of the Stone

Part One of Five

fter the Seeker accompanies me from Merlin's table through the Augury of the Stone of Wisdom, he leads me back to the Stone Maiden, and goes his own way.

"Last we met," she says, "you were newly-come to this realm. Your journeyings here must have done you good. You look healthier--stronger--and a bit more serene as well."
"Thank you. It's true I think. You look exactly the same," I tell her.
She laughs and responds, "Yes, well perhaps the cold preserves us here! Before you go, I'd like to give you something . . . "

She opens the 'gate' and retrieves a crystal ball. Holding it up so that it catches the sun's rays, she says: "This scrying crystal was made from a crystal found in the cavern where the Stone Hallow lies. For eons, it absorbed the energy radiating from the Stone. Take it, and you will always be connected to the Heart of the Stone Realm."

As she places it in my hands, I can just feel the pulsing and warmth of the Stone, and gazing into it, I can see the Stone in the cavern. "THANK YOU!! What a wonderful gift! I'm so honored!" I gingerly place it in my bag. "Don't be a stranger," she says. "Come back and let me know how you're doing sometime, okay?"
"Yes, of course. Take care of yourself, and I'll see you then. Thanks again. Goodbye."

Walking off, I come to Stone Two. I know it doesn't matter which way I go, and I have the right shoes, so I move briskly through the frosty valley. On a small island in the stream, I see a glint, so I jump over to check it out. It's a medium-sized clear crystal--maybe even a diamond--and I put it in my pocket and continue on. As I pass the ithyphallic man on the hill in Stone Three, he remains a two-dimensional picture. But something drops onto the path in front of me. I reach down and pick up a beautiful green jasper with small brownish-red flecks. "Thanks, dude," I say, looking up, and move on.

I stop in to see Talesin, and find him sharing stories with two children who are paying rapt attention. He acknowledges me with a nod, but I don't interrupt as he finishes up with the moral of the story. "So you see," he says, "why it is so important to be able to adapt to different situations?"
"Yes, Talesin," the children say together.
"And now my friend Moonchild is here."
The children and I exchange greetings as I sit on the floor. "You have such kind eyes," I tell him. "No wonder the children listen to you."
"People don't care what you know unless they know that you car," he replies. "Because I care, they listen. And you? How fares it with you?"
"Very well, thank you. I've had so many experiences since last we met."
"Would you share your story with us?" he asks.
"Sure." So I tell of my travels--my adventures, challenges, &c. As I finish, he says, "Ah, an excellent story! Both entertaining *and* instructional--the best kind!" He leans forward, looping the rope over me and placing his hands on my shoulders, he says, "May all your instruction be entertaining, and may all your entertainment be instructional!"
Then, with thank-yous and goodbyes all around, I depart.