TREASURE

He stumbled upon the treasure quite by accident. He was exploring the vicinity when he happened upon it. His first thought was, “This can not be real.” He approached it jadedly, not sure this was not some kind of trick; and that he was being observed. But, no one sprung from a concealed location, no one yelled for him to halt his advance; it seemed to be safe to move toward the treasure. When he arrived at the treasure, he bent down to touch it, just to make sure it was real. After one touch, he fled to better-known and safer environs.

That night he could not sleep for thinking of the treasure he had discovered. He thought and thought of ways he could explain the treasure to members of his tribe. If he suddenly showed up with it, anything he said would be suspect. One does not find treasure of this sort every day. No, he would have to think this through.

The next day he went to the area of the treasure, but dare not get too close. Instead, he peered at it from a distance. It was still there, and untouched. But for how long would it stay undiscovered? The fire burned in him to possess such a treasure. If not for the taboo placed on matters of this sort by the Law Giver, he could just claim the treasure for himself. But no, the Law Giver would never allow it.

As he tried to sleep the second night after discovering the treasure, he thought that perhaps the Law Giver would understand. Perhaps he should approach her, and tell her of his find. No, then if she forbade him from keeping the treasure, it would be lost forever. Perhaps he could bring it to his village and hide it from the Law Giver. But, where could he hide it, the Law Giver was all-wise, she knew all.

Then quite un-expectantly, he overheard the Law Giver speaking of the place he had found the treasure. This is what he heard, “When they moved out, they told me that they had left a few things behind, and if we wanted anything, we were welcome to it. I’ve been too busy to go over there, but I think I’ll take a look this afternoon. Maybe there will be something Joey might like.”

Something he might like. Something he might like! Was she toying with him? Did she indeed know of the treasure? Later that afternoon, his mother called Joey to the front of the house. He was not allowed far from home because he was only five years old, so he appeared right away. His mother said, “Look what I found next door where the Simms used to live. And there it was, the treasure!

His mother handed little Joey the bright red, toy fire truck that has caused him to lose so much sleep. You see, Joey was afraid his mother would think he had stolen it, even though it seemed to be abandoned. And in his house, stealing was the one thing his mother, the Law Giver, would never tolerate.