Sage's Three Tasks & Our Last Day

Bear Spirit had given Sage Three Tasks. Sage must complete each challenge in order to free Luna and bring her back to Poppy Mountain.

Bear Spirit spoke: "First, you must return to Scorpion Rock and lift the rock carefully. Ask the Scorpion Mother for one of her babies. You are to take the Baby Scorpion, tending to it with great care. Feed it a mushroom growing next to the creek beneath the Crooked Oak Tree. Once the Baby Scorpion has eaten the mushroom, it will speak to you the Secret of the Moon. Remember what the Scorpion says, for you will be asked by Luna the next time you see her.

"The second day you must follow your footsteps taken with Luna -- backwards -- from Scorpion Rock, across Rocky Ridge and finish at the exact spot where you first met. There you will find a Golden Acorn, which you must keep in your satchel. Make a chain of gold from pounded gold flakes you will find in the creek. Hang the Golden Acorn on the chain and give this talisman to Luna the next time you meet.

"On the third day, as soon as you awaken, you must go and drink from the deep pool in the creek. Take three long drinks. You will then be visited by Water Snake. He will show you how to braid with sweet grass, a braid just like Luna's hair. You must dry and then burn the grass. The rising smoke will be your final key to bringing Luna back to Poppy Mountain."

Sage awoke the next morning and was exhausted from his busy sleep and his visit from the Animal Spirit Counsel. In his heart he had his Three Tasks. His mind was questioning why he had to do this to see his friend again? But his Spirit in his heart knew that it mustn't be questioned. It must be done. He set off toward Scorpion Rock....

~^~^~

 The story has been told. Did Sage free his friend, Luna, from behind the stone door? Only the children on Poppy Mountain know.

Our final day was spent listening to the tale, making cookies, drawing something from the story, and visiting the swimming hole in Zayante Creek.

Thank you to YOU for reading this blog and following along with Poppy Mountain's summer adventures. I am grateful for a beautiful, creative, active summer spent with delightful children, and my own daughter and baby son. Many blessings to you all! With love...

A Second Chance at a Last Day

"Sage got to the creek and laid down his water baskets, letting them soak and expand in the shallow water's edge. It was a warm day, and he splashed the cold water over his face, arms and head. If he caught at least six fish, he reasoned, he would allow himself a long swim in the hole before heading back up the steep mountain. Watching the water carefully, Sage began tracking the fishes below the surface. He concentrated so hard at becoming one with the fish that the rest of the world didn't matter. One by one, Sage pulled fish out of the creek. He had just caught his sixth fish when his senses alerted him to something moving toward him from the woods. Bear! The bear hadn't yet seen him, though he knew it could smell him. The bear might have been coming for a drink or perhaps to fish as well. But it was acting rather strangely and moving fast. It didn't take long for Sage to realize that this was the bear his brothers and father had been tracking. A faint bird call let Sage know he was correct. It was his father's signal. He had to move..."

In the end, I decided to do a "make-up day" so that we could have a proper closing to our first session of Poppy Mountain. It turned out to be a beautiful day in many ways. The children were captivated by the story of Sage and the bear. Working with clay was so satisfying . And, the weather was perfect for a trip to the swimming hole, which everyone was so excited to do.

I am getting into the groove, and allowing the rhythms to carry me through the afternoons. It's a lovely creative process for me, and a lot of work as I find my way managing a program in my home and with my own children. I am grateful for the children who came to me as I began this adventure. I'm also looking forward to growing and stretching, and welcoming more children as the summer unfolds. The second session of Poppy Mountain begins next Tuesday, so stay tuned. Until then...