Jahmo and the Giant

Jahmo was the son of a Great King who lived long ago in a beautiful land in Africa. Jahmo was a handsome and brave, with a kind heart and was well liked by his people. He had strong shoulders and an easy smile for everyone. He was smart, strong and swift footed. In fact it was had to find fault in the young prince at all, except for the fact that he seemed to be a little smaller than most of the other boys. Well, he was smaller than all the other boys it was true, Jahmo was short in stature but it didn't seem to bother anyone least of all Jahmo

Jahmo's father was a Mighty King. He stood tall and proud, walked with majestic slow strides and spoke in a keep low commanding voice. Jahmo, he would say, you are becoming a man now and my bard grows white like snowcaps on the Mountain. Your thoughts must now turn to being ruler of our people and taking a bride for your Queen. There are dozens of beautiful maidens who would be thrilled at the opportunity to have you ask for their hand. Jahmo stood quietly then finally he spoke, "Father, he said, it is true, the young women of our village are very beautiful indeed." "I have been aware of this fact for quite some time." The King smiled proudly. But... Jahmo continued, "when I look at the beautiful girls of our village I do not feel in my heart what I see in your eyes when you look at my mother, the Queen. It makes me smile so, when I see you looking at each other in that special way.

Er...Ahhun...Well I... The King stammered. The King then smiled and sighed. "Truly you are wise my son you will be a Great King, far greater and wiser than I, no doubt." The King said as he placed his hands on Jahmo's shoulders. Jahmo grinned so hard his cheeks began to hurt. Jahmo loved his father very much.

Jahmo thought to himself, this would be the perfect time to tell his father of how he longed for adventure. "Father", he asked, "did you have many adventures when you were my age?" "Why yes my son," the King answered, "many, many adventures." "Why do you ask the King suddenly inquired." "Because that is my heart's desire, great one, that is where my thoughts turn." "To have one, just one great adventure." "Oh Jahmo," the King moaned, as his eyes rolled back, "you can't be serious my son." "Yes Sire after all you just said you had many, many adventures when you were my age." "Let us speak no further of this nonsense," the King commanded sternly. I will not speak of this anymore, Jahmo muttered weakly, for now he thought to himself.

The next day a messenger from a far off land came to Jahmo's village. "I come with a message from King Amaal the Great." The messenger proclaimed, "Let all the Great Nations of all the land send one of Royal blood, one Prince true and brave, a Prince who would face the evil Giant Booli and win the hand of the beautiful Princess Tomu. (An adventure Jahmo thought aloud). "Now wait a moment the King said firmly." "Father please let me go," Jahmo begged. The King cut his eyes sharply at the messenger, who quickly retreated from the village.

Very well the King said but first your adventure starts here. You must go see the ancient one, Old Pa, the Elder. That will begin your adventure.

Old Pa was said to be hundreds of years old. Even the oldest villagers remembered him as ancient when they were small children. Old Pa lived in a small hut just outside the village. He was withered and shriveled like dried fruit. He walked about slowly with a twisted little stick. He was said to know everything about everything.

The young Prince journeyed to the outskirts of the village to see the ancient wise Old Pa. At the suggestion of his Father Jahmo brought a basket of fruit, and a pail of fresh milk as a friendly gesture. The little old man stood in a clearing almost as if he were waiting on Jahmo. "Come closer," the old man murmured in a voice like dried wood on a fire. "Old Pa, I am Jahmo, son of the King, I have come to seek your counsel, please accept this basket of fruit and fresh milk as a humble offering to your wisdom." "My, but you're a mannerable boy", the old man muttered with a smile. "Good, Good the King has taught you well, sit down here before me boy." Jahmo sat down quickly in front of the old man. "Yes, yes, yes," the old man began, "I see you have it." "Have what," Jahmo asked. "Be silent." The old man snapped. "Young Prince," Old Pa continued, "even though sight has left my eyes, my old tired eyes. I see you have the Gift. "Gift?" said Jahmo. "You are talking again boy," Old Pa snapped again.

"Yes boy, the gift, Natures Gift. Why do you think it is that you run fast as you do and hold your own and even surpass young men nearly twice your size. You are special and not because you are the son of the King, No, No" he said. "You have the gift and no idea how to use it."

The old man shuffled closer. "Close your eyes little prince," Old Pa said, placing his withered old hand over Jahmo's face. "Be still, be silent and listen, listen for the first time in your life, to the sound of Natures Heart." Jahmo was completely still and silent he hear nothing, nothing at all. "I don't hear anything Old Pa, " Jahmo said with a whimper. "Let me help you then boy, listen now," the old man stopped suddenly. "Now, now hear it." "Hear the wind as it sings beneath the wings of the Eagle, the dust beneath the strides of the Panther as he chases his prey. Listen boy, as the Earth trembles at the footsteps of the elephant as he walks along the waterfall. Close your eyes, be silent and hear these things boy."