Short Story

In legend there is a place referred to as Shaelo. Its beauty is beyond compare, yet it is said to be inaccessible and its location unknown. At least, anyone who has found it never returns. Where the legend originated, can only be guessed at…

The winds and bitter cold snow, lashed at the struggling man. He knew which way he was going or so he thought... He’d taken this trip a million times and in worse weather. His method was to keep a consistent pace and just use his inbred sense of direction to do the rest. The cold would force his eyes closed from time to time, to keep from freezing and in a futile attempt of warming them. During one particular time, blinded by the blizzard he continued to walk with his eyes closed…
Suddenly something wasn’t right… His feet didn't sink through the snow…The ground was actually firm…
He must be imagining. There was no way!
He couldn't believe it so he kept his eyes closed and took one more step.
The next step was even more unexpected than the first.
His feet sunk in, but... no... it couldn't be... He no longer felt the storm, not necessarily warmth, but lack of increasing coldness. As he slowly opened his eyes...
It was true!
He was standing knee deep in grass! There was a slight warm breeze and green everywhere!
He couldn't believe it so he took several steps forward... then the thought occurred to him as to how he got to where he was at... so he turned... nothing! It was green as far as the eye could see... what was going on?
There was green everywhere except for one place...
In the middle of the field, a soft hill rose. So he started towards it.
Right at the top of this hill was a most curious tree, arched just like a huge seat!
He settled back into it and because he was so weary, slowly closed his eyes...
A second later his eyes opened really quick. No! He couldn't fall asleep... maybe he was dreaming and the blizzard had turned him completely numb...
Then again, it was really comfortable here... and... it was really green and warm... it all felt real... and... an.. a...
Just as he was slipping away, it dawned on him... he had reached Shaelo.

"Shaelo" by Me