The Road And The Clearing
A trader was travelling on a road with a friend who betrayed him. He
travelled onwards contentedly, with the company of his horse, more determined now that he was not restricted by others. Weeks went by travelling through the landscape before he began to feel lonely.
While collecting water at a passing stream, he heard a distant sorrowful melody carried in the breeze and went to investigate. He saw a woman painting on the other side of the bank and crossed the river to question her sadness.
“I have lived along this stream for my whole life, but I have never been able to share my paintings” she wept.
“Travel with me, and I will help you share you talent across these lands.”
Onwards they journeyed through a forest, taking it in turns to walk alongside the horse. The horse began to struggle with the added weight of the paintings awkwardly placed on its back.
They came across a carpenter working in the woods. Intrigued by their adventure, he offered to build a wagon to aid their journey. As he worked that night, the artist painted and sang for him. The trader convinced the carpenter to join them on the road.
With an extra mouth to feed, food supplies began to dwindle. Drawn by the aroma of freshly baked bread, they approached the cottage of a local chef. Over a welcoming supper, he explained how he was growing frustrated with the limited ingredients in his area, and so wished to accompany the trio on their voyage, promising to use his expertise to keep hunger at bay.
Having sat in the wagon for several weeks, with a growing supply of delicious food, the travellers became gluttonous, arguing over portions. A man gazing contemplatively across a lake was disturbed by the sound of the argument. Concerned, he approached the wagon and asked the reason for their quarrel. Upon hearing their squabbling, he took them for a walk through the forest and showed them a procession of ants, gathering food to take back to their colony. Realising their foolishness, they asked the wise man to accompany them in return for a share of their wealth.
“I have no need for your wealth, however I will join you and together we will explore the treasures that Mother Nature has left for us.
With five companions and their accumulated possessions, the horse began to toil under the load of the wagon. Looking for a place to rest, they approached an elderly woman, surrounded by chests of papers in a clearing.
The clearing sat on the crest of a hill, along the road on which they travelled. A magnificent view stretched before them; settlements were scattered amongst the beauty of nature. A dense forest encircled the clearing with beautiful flora growing out of the rich fertile soil. A family of deer dashed through the clearing behind the mysterious woman.
Intrigued by the vast possessions on their wagon, she asked them to share their story so she could record their experiences.
“...Our wagon is now too full to carry on travelling. All we need now is a home.”
“Everything you need is around us. Unload your wagon and I can help you settle here.”
2. exploration of autonomy, happiness, consumption. from past to present to future ideas
