Legend of the staff

Chapter one- Beginning of the tale

It was a cold winter's day, and a fresh layer of snow covered the ground. It was too cold to go out; and there was nothing really to do around the cabin. So, Johnny who was staying with his grandparents decided to sit for a while, relaxing by the fire. "Johnny…come here boy." His grandfather said as he walked into the living room." Come sit next to me, there is something I need to tell you." Johnny got up from the hearth of the fire place and did as his grandfather asked. His grandfather faced Johnny with a caring but serious face; took a deep breath then began.

"You're old enough now to hear about the legend my dad told me, and the one I told your father." Johnny's face took on a sorrowful look as he thought about his dad. "I know your dad would have loved to have been the one to pass on this story, but even though he isn't here, I know he would still want you to hear it." Those words brought back all the memories of his dad like a mighty tidal wave, crashing inside of him. It had been two years since his dad died, but even now it was hard to even think about that tragic day.

You see, his dad died while hunting in the woods. It was Johnny's first hunting trip with his dad. He had been waiting a long time and was now finally old enough to go with his father to hunt for the food they would be eating during the winter months.

"What's the legend?" Johnny asked. "It's a very old tale that has been passed down from father to father in our family for well over a hundred years or so, or at least that's what I've been told." "What's the legend about?" Johnny asked feeling more relaxed and eager to hear about it. "It's about a staff. Legend has it, that whoever has possession of the staff can do many and mighty things." He said while sitting back in his chair and getting ready to tell the tale.

"It all started in an old village during the dark ages. A young wood carver named Alex lived deep in the woods. He kept to himself, and didn't have any friends; except his dog Chancy if you wanted to call him a friend." His grandfather said as he adjusted his glasses. Johnny was sitting on the chair that was near to his grandfather's and paid close attention to every word. "Alex was old enough to be on his own, but young enough that he still could use some guidance from someone that was more experienced in life and the carving trade. While out roaming around the woods near his little hut that he called a home, looking for a good piece of wood to make into a staff; he searched under the leaves covering the ground, picked up miscellaneous objects to look under. Suddenly Alex was startled by his dog Chancy.

Chancy was standing there barking and running around in circles. Alex looked in the direction Chancy was barking, but didn't see anything. Alex slowly walked over to where Chancy was; just to find out what set the dog off. As he was approaching chancy, he ran into a strange and odd looking log. It looked like it had been laying there for years; even though he had been all over the woods and never noticed it before. Alex quickly picked up the log and brought it back to his house; with Chancy walking behind him, still barking from time to time. As he opened the door to his house, Chancy quickly ran in ahead of him, and hid in a corner; as if something or someone was standing behind Alex in the doorway. What's the matter boy? Alex asked as he placed the log onto the table.

Chancy still hid in the corner, and refused to o anywhere else in the house. Alex thought it was strange, but let him alone, thinking he would come out eventually.

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