Dodo Eggs

Elias entered the village with the quiet rumble of rumor surrounding the men.  The widows, including Inge were ready and came forward to meet their new husbands.  Each man took their respective widow into their arms and offered them their love.  The bishop was called and a huge wedding ceremony was hastily put together.

“Inge,” Elias approached the smiling woman.  “I hope you will consider this feat I have preformed as proof enough of my kindness.  Will you accept me as you husband?”

“I look at these remarkable men you have found and can only marvel at the love they have for these widows they have only just been introduced to.  If you show me half as much then we will be quite content.  But where did you find these men?”

Elias leaned forward and kissed Inge.  He whispered into her ear.  “They have been fashioned from animals by the magic in my staff.  I am a wizard will you accept me even now?”

Inge looked Elias in the eyes.  “You have brought hope to these woman.  My womb is closed and someday I may yet desire a child.  Will you teach me what you have done and then promise me never to use it again?”

Elias laughed out loud.  “Only if you promise to inform me before I am to become a father!” 
 
All five couples were married that day and everyone seemed content.  A sense of wholeness cast the dark pallor that had settled on the village away.  The village prospered along with the growing love between Elias and Inge.

Almost a year passed before Brena arrived at Elias’ door.  She was upset and angry.

“The husband you gave me is stupid!  He may be strong enough to drag logs but isn’t smart enough to tie the harness!  I’m weary of helping him think through everything.  What can you do about it?”

Elias gave Brena a hard look.  How dare this woman complain to him?  What was he to do now?  “You asked for a strong and healthy husband and that’s what you have received.  I promised nothing else.  Does he not love you?”

“Yes, he loves me but his slow thinking makes him so much trouble!”

“Leave me woman!”  Elias found her ungratefulness upsetting.  “He is strong and under your guidance he will work your farm.  And above all else he loves you!  Leave me!”

Only three days later, Rachel came to see Elias.  “The man you brought me is cheap and thoughtless of other people!  He has cut so many one sided deals that no one trusts him.  I have lost friends to my husband’s profitable approach to everything.  He does nothing before considering who will come out on top!”

Elias scowled and bit on his anger.  “You wanted a clever and organized man.  I can see by the fine linens you are clothed in that your inn has prospered.  Does he not still love you?” 

“Oh yes, he spends on me lavishly but is so cutthroat with everyone else.  I don’t like the way the other women look at me anymore.”

“Be gone!  Everything you asked for was given to you!”  The wizard finished before closing the door in her face.  “Be grateful and temper your husbands actions with good gifts to those who may be offended!”

The next day, Trena found Elias picking berries from the bushes behind his cottage.  “Why have you burdened me with such a man?  Our neighbor’s hounds wandered into our sheep pasture last week and my husband killed them all!  A man pushed past me near the commons yesterday and my husband beat him!  It caused a terrible scene.  He is so suspicious of others that we cannot even offer guests our hospitality.”

Elias clenched his teeth.  They did not understand the toll such powerful spells take on a wizard and he had been under no obligation to help them!  “You as well!?  Months ago when a small party of pillaging Saxons attacked the village, it was your husband that took his spear killing two and driving the others away.  Does he not guard your heart with equal diligence?”

“Yes, however…”

“Then leave me!  My gift was everything I promised and much more than you deserved!”

Elias had not finished picking from his berry patch when Catherine approached him only hours later.  

“Sir,” she began.  “My husband does not work as he should.  He prefers to explore the woods, but not to hunt.  He just walks through the trees lounging.  And when he is in the town he is wrestling and playing with the young men and boys instead of minding the mayor’s business.”

The old wizard could hardly contain his anger.  He was above questioning.  “You are the envy of this village!  Your husband has women half your age swooning at his approach!  He is the caretaker of the forest and disciples the young men!  Has one of the younger girls taken his eyes?”

“No, they stay filled with visions of me.”

“Then your ungratefulness cannot be ignored!”  Elias dropped his thatch basket of berries and pulled the moonroot from the belt across his waist.  He struck her with the end of his wand and she transformed into a doe.  “No go!”

The doe turned and bolted into the woods.  Then the wizard stuck the ground with the moonroot altering his spells.  Brena became and ox and her husband returned to his original form, Rachel and her husband became foxes, Trena and her husband were bent into badgers, and Catherine’s husband became a stag once again.

Word spread though the village of the missing people and the strange animals left in their place.  Everyone was confused except for Inge.  She knew what must have happened.  She hid and did not come home until late that evening after Elias had gone to bed.  She crept into the bedroom and took the moonroot wand. 

Elias woke with the sounds of the front door closing.  “My wand!”  He looked at the other side of the bed and realized that Inge had not returned.

The wizard sprinted outside and found his wife standing in the moonlight with his wand outstretched.  “Inge!  What are you doing?  Come to bed that wand is not to be played with.”

“I thought you were kind but your vengeance today has stripped away your previous deeds and created a state worse than when you found it.  Your actions have destroyed my trust in you.  I’m leaving.”

Elias fell to his knees.  “Inge my dear, I am sorry!  Forgive me and tomorrow I will search every forest and glen until I find the animals.”

“Elias, you know that is impossible.  You have lost them and now you have lost me.” 

Inge tapped each shoulder with the moonroot and a second later a great owl stood in her place.  It took the moonroot staff in its talons and flew over the trees in the direction of the full moon.

The last of the wizards was left broken hearted and powerless.   

During China’s first imperial age, a minor official named Zhang purchased some land. It was a beautiful plot dominated by tall limestone spires covered in flowing vines. At the center was a natural spring that was shaded my Formosa trees.

Water from the spring and other sources had carved caves both large and small throughout Zhang’s property. The largest he found them completely by accident while searching for his lost dog. Noises from strange croaking noises from inside drew Zhang’s attention and after getting his lantern he went inside.

An unusual plant grew thick along the cave’s shaded belly. It was narrow at the base with a large cap on top much like the hats rice farmers wear to keep the sun off their heads. They were soft to the touch and came free with an easy tug. Zhang took a few and returned home.

The next day, Zhang took the strange plants to a friend who was one of the palace cooks. The cook tried the plant with several of his regular dishes and found their mellow taste delightful. Once it was determined that they were safe to eat, he used some for the Emperor’s evening meal.

The Emperor was so delighted by the tasty meal that he ordered the cook before him. “What was it that you added to the snow peas and peppers? I wish to enjoy them with every meal.”

“Great lord,” began the cook. “I procured them from a minor bookkeeper named Zhang.”

The Emperor had Zhang brought before him. “You will continue to bring my chef these strange plants. If you do so, I will promote you and see to it you are made a wealthy man.”

Zhang did so and from that day, his life became much improved. He was given silk and gold to wear, his former coworkers tried to win his favor, and his family prospered.

Every evening on the seventh day, Zhang would take a lantern and walk into the cave harvesting these strange plants as he went. Each time he needed to journey farther and farther into the cave to find them.

The Emperor was pleased. He doubled Zhang’s land and offered his sons wives from noble houses. “But,” he warned, “Should you fail me in any regard, I will see that your name and seed is removed from the earth.”

Zhang began returning to the cave more often. He kept its location a secret to prevent anyone from finding the source of his favor. Each time he needed to push further into the cave to find the plants he wanted.

Finally, he found his way in past the point where he could see the mouth of the cave. Zhang was sure he would loose his way in the darkness if he went in too far.

The basket was almost completely full when Zhang heard a slapping noise on the rocks in front of him. He brought the lantern’s light up and was startled to discover a huge toad covered in gold scales and ruby red eyes staring back.

It was as large as most dogs with thick forearms to match its strong rear legs. Thin braided strands of gilded hair grew from both sides of its nose and chin. The scales on its belly were smaller and finer than those along its sides and back.

It split its broad mouth wide. “My name is Kiye and you are a trespasser sir.”

Zhang screamed and fell back. His basket landed on its side sending his green mushrooms rolling all about. Yet, he kept the lantern light on the wondrous creature.

“You…you speak!”

“That’s right, as well as you do. You are collecting a harvest of mushrooms that you did not plant on land that is not yours.”

Zhang regained his feet. “That’s not true. I purchased this land months ago. It belongs to me. These mushrooms, as you call them, have won favor with the Emperor and will make me a rich man.”

“Wherever the sun strikes belongs to you but this cave is a different world.” The toad adjusted its weight allowing it to point to the spilled mushrooms with a large webbed right foot. “And the mushrooms you have taken are the result of my own labor. If they are so precious to you, what will you pay me for them?”

Zhang sat up and began refilling his basket. “Tell me then. What is your price?”

Kiye spun his beard with his webbed toes. “I will take a gold coin per mushroom.”

“An talon of gold for each! That’s too much money and I will not pay!” Zhang took a step back to the mouth of the cave.

“Wait! More amazing things grow in the deeper parts of the cave. Your gold also wins the right to see these amazing places. If your master has rewarded you for these paltry mushrooms, he will give you a anything your heart desires for the wonders further below!”

Zhang turned around and studied the golden toad. It returned his stare rocking back and forth on its strong legs and wide feet.

“Very well.” Zhang took three gold coins out of the purse he always carried with him. “This is all the money I have now. The rest I will pay you at a later date. Now, show me the wonders of your home.”

Kiye turned and jumped to the rock behind him and further into the cave. The toad moved quickly jumping from rock to rock. Zhang followed as quickly as he could but he stumbled often. For over an hour, Zhang followed the giant toad deeper into the cave through twisting caverns and across many different paths. The deeper they traveled the more light that seemed to seep from the walls. A thick, silver moss produced this strange blue light so Zhang extinguished the lantern.

On each side to the path grew magnificent mushrooms some tall enough to reach Zhang’s knee. He would have stopped to study the moss and mushrooms but Kiye moved too quickly.

The toad didn’t slow until they reached a large open cavern. The arched rock above their heads was covered with the glowing moss. They stood on a cliff with a narrow set of stairs that wound downward. Below, mushrooms of all sizes grew in an endless carpet.

Kiye jumped to a stone pillar near the entrance. “Do you like what you see? If you look straight over the edge you will see the world’s largest mushroom which is my home.”

Zhang peeked down a steep set of stairs. At the foot, was a flat mushroom cap wide enough for two people to sleep in comfort. “Yes, I have seen amazing things but the hour grows late and I am in a rush. Take me back now.”

The giant toad leaned toward Zhang. “You have been deceived. I will not take you back until you have worked off the debt you owe me.”

“I think not.” Zhang turned to the darkened cave and tried to light his lantern but he had run out of oil.

The toad let out a short mocking groan. “Fool. You have no chance of reaching the world of sunlight on your own. Like tree roots, these tunnels dip and turn with hundreds of dead ends. One of them will become your tomb if you leave without my help.”

Zhang stared into the darkness then to Kiye. He fell to knees and wailed. “But I must return! If I am gone too long the Emperor will destroy my family! I did not understand that these mushrooms were your property! Have mercy upon me!”

Kiye studied the weeping man for a moment. “Very well. I will have mercy upon you if you prove clever enough. My gold is under the largest mushroom at the bottom of these steps. Meet me there.” Kiye croaked again and began leaping down the stairs taking three at a time.

Zhang rose to his feet and followed the mysterious creature to the floor of the cavern. Under the mushroom’s umbrella was a large stone bowl filled with glittering gold coins of all sizes. Kiye sat atop his treasure waiting.

“The challenge is simple.” The toad began, “This stone bowl has become too small to house my treasure and so I wish to move it to another. I need three legs to move and can only carry gold with one. Whoever is able to carry the most gold coins with one hand wins the challenge. If you fail, moving my gold will be your first duty. Should you succeed, I will take you back to the surface and you may keep what you have picked for the small price you have paid me.”

Zhang studied the gold for a moment. He knew the toad held some advantage. “I must agree.”

Kiye gave another amused grunt then jumped to the side of the stone basin. It stretched its webbed forefoot and sank it into the gold coins. When he turned his foot up, many coins were held in place by the webbing between its toes. It gave a few short jumps to the larger bowl and dropped the money.

Zhang knew that his hands were no larger than the toad’s and without the webbing between his fingers there was little hope of holding as many coins. He stepped up to the gold and gave the coins a long, steady look.

Then he smiled. “I can meet your challenge with ease.”

Zhang found the widest coin and placed it in his palm. He began stacking coin upon coin until he was balancing a stack taller than his shin. Carefully, he turned to the larger bowl, took a couple steps then spilled his column of coins.

The gold toad leaped straight into the air. It landed hard then released an angry roar. “You have succeeded and I will succumb! We will leave immediately before my anger overcomes me.”

Once Zhang and Kiye reached the mouth of the cave, the ruby-eyed toad gave a warning. “You have stolen from me then bested me. I never want to see you in my domain again. Never return.”

With that, the giant toad leaped back into the cave’s thick curtain of darkness. Zhang took his basket of mushrooms to the palace and presented it to the Emperor.

“Oh Great Son of the Sky, I have brought you your desire but I fear my supplies have been exhausted. Once these are gone, I can provide you with no more.”

The Emperor looked upon Zhang with scorn. “My favor runs alongside your ability to please me. Once I have enjoyed the last of these mushrooms you will be returned to your place as a common bookkeeper. Consider that before you tell your ruler he is to be denied.”

Two weeks later, as the basket of mushrooms began to empty, Zhang panicked. He had grown used to the palace’s plush life and did not want to return to the toil of ink and parchment.

The day before his banishment from the Emperor’s court Zhang crept into the cave hoping to steal only a few additional mushrooms. He had gone in only a little way when his lantern light fell upon the golden toad.

“I warned you and yet you have returned! Now I will punish you for your greed.” Kiye reared back and spit a fine glittering dust at Zhang’s face.

Zhang turned and ran as fast as he could manage toward the cave’s entrance. With each step, he coughed. His lungs were filled with dust and it was hard to breath. Kiye’s mocking croaks followed him.

Zhang reached his land’s spring before collapsing. He could no longer breath and was soon dead with his basket of edible mushrooms and lantern beside him.

Beneath the cool shade of the Formosa trees, spores from the tasty mushrooms grew and spread along the spring’s bank. Along side them grew the poisonous mushrooms that consumed Zhang’s body. Nature and the spring’s cool flow spread the magic toad’s treasure bringing mushrooms to every part of the world.