The Wooden Ring

This is a story I like to tell my friends on those cold winter nights when the moon is just right…

In the woods of Wyoming there is an old Legend about a man who one went looking for gold. He lived with his wife at the bottom of a large hill by a quaint trickling creek. One day, he looked up from his porch and thought he could see a piece of gold shining from up on the hilltop. He turned to his wife and told her that he was going to make them rich.

“Wife,” said the old man, “I’m going to make us rich! Even if that’s not gold up there, I’m determined to find some.”

His wife was not too keen on the idea of letting her husband go out looking for gold. She was happy in their little house by the creek. But she also knew that the old man had always promised her riches untold. He often lamented that he wanted to fulfill his promise before he died. So the wife felt she should approve of his travel.

“Husband,” said the Wife, “Perchance you wouldn’t mind helping me weed the turnips before you go?” She knew he wouldn’t mind. “I will even help you pack up some food and water in case you need to stop on the way.”

“Thank you, dear, that would be so nice,” the old man replied.

“There’s one more thing,” the wife stated. She walked to the end of their small living room. Crouching behind to old, beat up couch, she slid out a small, wooden trunk. She opened it and rummaged around the bottom, pulling up a fine leather pouch. Casually she admired it as she sat up and turned to her husband.

“Husband,” she stated, “this old leather pouch carries a magical wooden ring that was left to me by my grandfather.” The old man had never heard of such a ring. His wife continued. “My grandfather found this ring on his own quest. I’m sure this will bring you luck. You should wear it on your journey.”

“Yes, wife, I will,” the old man replied. He slipped on the ring. He then kissed his wife on the cheek and went out to weed. Meanwhile, the wife packed him a nice bag of goodies.

The old man then prepared to leave. He hugged his wife and they shared a polite kiss.

He then left on his journey. He was never heard from again.

(Note: I originally wrote this story on March 5, 2003. This version contains some revisions to that original story.)