LEGEND
The finger bone was ancient.
The finger bone was ancient.
‘Where did you find it?’
Sela pointed inland.
‘Show me.’Red Footed Booby |
The track wove interminably. A light wind ghosted through the hardwoods, carrying the cries of sea birds and the ammonia tang of guano.
Frigate Bird |
Through the mosaic of virgin forest I could discern ruins,
although many stones had tumbled over time.
‘Here,’ Sela said.
I knelt, fingertips probing. Gently, gently. I felt the
unmistakable curve of a cranium.
‘Ah.’ I uncovered the skull.
‘Who?’
‘This is old, Sela. This is Lapita.’
‘The spirit people?’ He was wide-eyed.
‘The Lapita were as human as you and me.’ I scraped and cleared.
‘You will release the devil.’
I knew the legend: disturbance of Lapita remains would free
the ensnared spirit. But I was no shaman. And this skeleton was human, not
devil. No juju to fear here.
‘I will release a piece of your history, nothing more.’
The wind danced in synchrony to my dance through the layers of time as I laid bare a three thousand year old secret.
The excavation was complete. The wind strengthened and the
sky turned sulphurous.
‘I think we should brace ourselves,’ I said.
Sela whimpered.
The skeleton’s feet were cloven.
The skeleton’s feet were cloven.
The inspiration for this story came from an article I wrote about Lapita remains in Fiji. The legend of the spirit people is pure fiction.
I took all these photos in Fiji. The one with the rocks are the remains of Lapita ring fortifications. The skeleton was found by workmen who were digging a trench in my little town: it is not Lapita.
I hope you enjoyed this week's post. I'll be taking you to South East Asia next week.
I hope you enjoyed this week's post. I'll be taking you to South East Asia next week.
Beautifully done, the pictures are a wonderful addition! Congratulations, I can see why it's a winner!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Yolanda - it's good to know you enjoyed this week's post. :)
ReplyDeleteThat was a wonderful story. I loved "the wind ghosted..." such an evocative phrase. Excellent pictures, too.
ReplyDelete@Kathleen01930 Blog
Thank you for the positive feedback, Kathleen.
ReplyDeleteWow, that was very enjoyable. Great little piece.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it, David.
ReplyDeleteWow! Nice heart-in-the-throat ending! And the pictures add to it very nicely.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bish - the photo of the skeleton was pure serendipity! When I wrote this story I never dreamt I would publish it on a blog one day and need photos to accompany it.
DeleteSays it all, Patsy. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I am with Patsy. Never disturb the resting place of the dead. Cue the spooky music. :-)
ReplyDeleteGot their come-uppance, didn't they! :)
DeleteOh, no! I smell trouble :(
ReplyDeleteYes, they definitely have a problem! :)
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ReplyDeleteHey...this is really cool. I enjoyed reading it and the pictures. The skeleton is neat to see but eerie
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the story, Birgit. The skeleton caused great alarm and excitement.
ReplyDeleteOoh, spooky!
ReplyDeleteAnd I do like a story with pictures.
Thanks, Linda - nice to know you liked it. :)
ReplyDeleteSusan your writing is so eloquent. I felt as if I was being swayed to and for by your words. What a fascinating, albeit somewhat spooky, discovery in the town you lived.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sue. I don't always write spooky stories - I can do humour too. I just go where a story leads me!
ReplyDeleteEek! Ooh I love that twist. Very awesome. *shivers*
ReplyDeleteIf the ending gave you a shiver, I achieved my aim, Crystal! :)
ReplyDeleteApplause! This was great, Susan!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sandra. :)
DeleteWhat a wonderfully spooky story. The name Lapita rang a faint bell, then I remembered a cafe in Tenerife called La Lupita - not the same after all, but close!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Liz - no, I believe Lupita is a Spanish girl's name. :)
ReplyDeleteRich and intense. Very atmospheric. I loved how you knocked me over with that last line!
ReplyDeleteHelen Laycock
Thanks, Helen - evoking a strong reaction to the last line was my intention! :)
ReplyDeleteI like your switch to fiction - great job!!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a great weekend :)
Thanks, Keith - glad you enjoyed it. :)
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