Just for Fun No C&C will be given: An Old man's story...

There once came an old man to a fabled land. He wanted to get away from everything. They showed
him a beautiful town at the foot of the Annapurna range on a lake. He was not interested in towns. he wanted to be alone.

They told him of a forest across the lake. Nobody lived there. The old man was stubborn. He went to the forest across the lake. he had a small hut. he could look at the town from there:


They gave him a small canoe. He would go to the town each morning. He would take his time rowing his
little canoe. He liked the lake:


Most of the time, he would just sleep with the lake and the forest surrounding him:


He would imagine colors, of the lake, the mounatins, the forest. he would wait till the sun went down:


Then he would go to sleep, to get up early to see the other parts of the forest and the lake.

To quote Oliver Twist: More, please.

Hi Fahim,

The weaving of tales wrapped around a series of images works so well!
This works especially well when the images are as magnificent as these!
As Rachel has said, "More please!"

The old man had two very dear friends, in far away lands. Rachel and John. They could not be with him on this trip. He had promised to take them with him on his travels; in his thoughts.

He would get up early and row across the lake. He would pass a few people along the way:


Some further distance away, he would park his canoe amongst the other boats of the simple village folk:


The old man would then have his breakfast in the village and start the slow climb to a place he loved.
All the way he would think about his friends Rachel and John. Thinking of them he could easily negotiate the steep slopes. They were with him. The old man was happy.

He would reach his favorite place and look in awe, in wonder, in silence at the majesty of that which lay in front, beneath and around him.


Everyday he would sit for hours and watch. Wait for the sunset. But he was never alone. He could make friends. Just as he had found friends in Rachel and John.


So Rachel and John, just for you does the old man tell his tale. You have the time for him. He has all
the time in the world for you, dear friends.

My dear Fahim,

As I lingered over morning's first cup of coffee, this gift appeared to me.
Each word a ribbon to untie, each image a thoughtfully wrapped present.
I shall simply say thank you, and allow the feeling to wash over me.

The old woman, Rachel, also treasured her friends on OPF. The old man was a special comfort to her.

The old woman had been taught she had an obligation even unto the seventh generation.

She took her obligation seriously, and knew that acts performed today cast along shadow.

And that there were threats


to those she loved most in the world.

The old woman also knew that the kindness of the old man and those like them would help protect those she loved from the many dangers that lurked everywhere.


The old woman, in gratitude, wanted to give the old man a gift, but all she had to offer was friendship.


Images posted with Fahim's permission.

John, Rachel: Thank you for the wonderful words and thoughts.

Last night ( here ) I had another gift.

Hamza + sister and parents from the States; Rayyan + sister and parents from Canada.

I have not slept at all. The grandchildren have jet lag, and my bedroom has been taken over!!!
Toys, painting books, dolls, tractors! strewn all over my bed!

I love it.

Thank you and kindest regards.

Enjoy, Fahim! Being together with family is the best gift of all.

The old woman mentioned her old friend in a casual conversation and a listener gave the old woman another gift. Imagine.