The Feast
of Thanks and Peace
As reported
by
Grandpa
Martin
Once upon a time there
lived an old troll lady named Hilda. She had long scarlet hair, the
color of the brightest leaves of Autumn and so Fall was her favorite
time of year, that is until Winter, Spring and Summer came along.
Hilda lived high in the
mountains, her cave overlooking a large meadow filled with trees and
beautiful flowers that seemed to last longer than any area around
them. A small stream ran through the middle passing by the remains
of an extremely old tree, a tall stump that was as big as some of the
nearby pines entire circumference. Near this tree was a young pine
tree that stood as if it had chosen that spot to be near and watch
over the remains of its neighbor. The contrast between the two trees
was one of the reasons Hilda had chosen to live here.
Every night, just after
the sun set, Hilda would walk through 'her meadow' tending the
plants, talking with the trees and whenever she could doing what she
loved most, caring for the creatures of the region. The animals
would come from miles and miles around, they liked the touch of her
healing hands or to partake of the many wondrous potions and salves
she had prepared for almost almost every occasion. Even the trolls
who lived in the region would come to be healed or cared for if
needed.
Because of this Hilda had
many many friends and enjoyed a very happy life. Even Mother Nature,
herself, would come and visit the old troll with the long tail,
whenever she could. On some occasions the two would travel to other
regions and areas where Hilda's special skills could be used of
taught.
One day Hilda and her
best animal friend Orsee the honey brown bear, were sitting next to
the stream. Orsee was leaning up against the old tree while Hilda
lay in the night shade of the young pine.
“We have so much to be
grateful for.” said Hilda looking up at the cloudy sky that hid the
moon and foretold of the storms that would come to the area soon.
Orsee grunted and growled
his answer baring his teeth in a broad grin.
“We should do something
before the big snows hit the area.”
The bear's stomach
rumbled and he rumbled a soft hungry sound.
“A feast! What a
wonderful idea! We could invite all our friends.”
Orsee again rumbled
something that sounded like a question.
Hilda paused. “Yes I
know my trolls friends like lots of meat but I believe that no
creature should be in danger because of this feast. We can gather
fruits, nuts, roots and vegetables and I am sure the bees will give
of their honey. I can bake breads and sweets of all kinds.
The bear rumbled
something then snorted loudly.
“Yes, I know it is a
lot of work but I am an excellent cook and I have my magical pot that
holds everything I put into it and cooks it perfectly. I will make
the most wonderful stew. Maybe we will not even need meat.”
Orsee snorted.
“Yes, I know trolls
love meat but I truly believe it is wrong to take any life for this
feast. We will have to trust Earth Mother and do all we can to be
ready.”
She looked at the bear
who remained quiet but nodded in agreement,
“I want to hold this as
soon as possible before the cold and long nights come but our friends
will need time to get here. We can have the birds and the trees
deliver the invitations and we will tell them it will be on the night
of the new moon which will be in ten more nights. That will put it
almost exactly between Solstice and Harvest's End. I think that will
be perfect. We can celebrate with our friends and express to Mother
Nature our gratitude for all her bounty. I do think we need to
invite her too.”
This time the bear nodded
enthusiastically.
Hilda grinned. “Then
it is settled. Oh and we must remember to tell them to bring their
own items to eat in or on if they want. We do not have enough food
holders for such a large number of guest.
The bear snorted in
appreciation that she had thought of something he never would have
considered.
“Then let's get going,
we have lots of work to do!”
Orsee growled and groaned
loudly.
'Meat? Yes, we still do
not have any meat but I am sure it will not matter. Let's get to
work, we have a lot to do”
And with those words she
was off like a shot preparing the plans that had filled her mind as
she had talked.
A day passed, then two.
The birds and trees reported that twenty trolls had accepted the
invitation and they could not count the number of animals. Some of
the animals were afraid because there were going to be trolls there.
Hilda replied that there would be no animals, even the old and
infirm, would be harmed for the feast. She then waited for an
answer.
In the mean time she
began to cook. She dug a large fire pit and built a hot coal fire
into which she placed her magical pot. She poured in over fifty
buckets of water from the stream. As the onions, beans, carrots and
tomatoes came in they went into the pot along with many special
spices Hilda had in her cave. She added a barrel full of dried meat
to the stock and then threw in several barrels of potatoes.
She, along with Orsee,
also started baking pies and cakes and breads in the stone oven
inside her cave. Pumpkins, apples, peaches and other fruits were
turned into dozens of pies while dried fruit and nuts went into
breads laced with honey and thick syrup from maple trees miles and
miles away. Other vegetables and fruits were packed into barrels and
laid out for random snacks and treats. Orsee helped because like
Hilda he was an excellent cook especially in making the breads and
cakes.
Soon the entire area
smelled of fresh cooked or cooking food but there was no smell of
meat, as Orsee kept reminding Hilda who continued to say nothing
except that the feast would be wonderful.
It was late into the next
night that Old Woggle, a huge Tom Turkey, came to see his friend. He
had heard of the dinner and came to see if he could help his friend.
The two had talked, joined occasionally by Orsee who was tending his
oven, until almost dawn. They discussed the fact that there was no
fresh meat and Woggle assured her that things would be as they should
and that if no fresh meat was provided by Mother Nature then that was
how it should be and that the the gratitude would be real and genuine
no matter what food was provided.
Hilda was not so sure and
worried, aloud, for the first time that without the meat for the
feast it would not be perfect. She knew of animals who would give of
themselves to fill the need and that by so doing their suffering and
pain would end but they were few and she knew she could help them
while alive and make any transitions smooth but not now. Not during
the Celebration of Gratitude, as she now thought of it.
Old Woggle had agreed and
said he honored her kind heart. He said he remembered hearing of
times when Trolls were nasty, cruel creatures who hated the light and
all things good. Trolls that destroyed rather than create. His
ancestors had passed down tales of the gradual change and now here
she was doing good.
“The Great Creator and
His Earth know what you are doing so be patient and what is supposed
to be will come to pass. Now you best get in and get some rest, you
have a busy time coming before the rest of your guests arrive.
Animals began to arrive
after two more days and were fed breads and small meals but for the
most part they looked after themselves. The first troll arrived two
days before the feast and from then on they began to trickle in
slowly.
Hilda greeted each new
arrival warmly and reminded them that this was a feast of gratitude
and peace so the guests were invited to try to remember things they
were glad they had or were grateful for.
The morning of the feast
arrived warm and comfortable, a blessing from Mother Earth and, as
Orsee again reminded her, still no meat. Orsee had then gone up to
the cave to get the last of the pies and sweetbreads.
“What shall I do old
friend.” she asked leaning against the old stump after he had left.
“Trust the magic.”
the tree stump said softly.
Hilda leaped back. “You
spoke?”
A pair of eyes opened in
the old tree and a large knot became a mouth. “Yes.”
“Why? You have never
spoke before.”
“Yet you have always
treated me as a friend. My roots are still deep and Mother is
coming.
“Will she have the
answers I need? Trolls love meat. I know it is not really necessary
to make a great feast but I want everyone to be happy. I do not want
anything to ruin the feeling of gratitude. I have tried not to think
of it and to be trusting but the answer has not come.”
“You have not done
anything but hope. Actions are frequently needed to get answers.”
said the ancient tree stump.
Hilda looked confused.
“I was going to ask Mother Nature if she could help when she
arrived.”
“Yes but she, like her
creator, does not have to be here to answer questions. You are a
troll and trolls are made of the rock of the Earth. You, above
others, should know what can be done.” replied the tree softly.
“So I should ask for
meat now and expect it to just appear?” asked Hilda.
The smell that filled
Hilda's nostrils in the next second caused her eyes to shoot open as
wide as all of outdoors. The savory aroma of Roast Turkey mixed with
spicy bread filling filled the air.
Hilda turned around
rapidly and to her great surprise and delight 'her pine tree' was
covered with plump, steaming turkeys, hanging like great pine cones
from the branches of the tree. The old cook ran two steps and
carefully grabbed one pulling it carefully off the tree. Before she
could bite into it another appeared in its place.
Hilda took a big bite
(she's a troll after all, what did you expect?). The buttery, spicy
taste melted in her mouth as did the next bite and the next.
“Orsee.” she called
out, “come quickly!”
The bear lumbered out of the cave and
was immediately hit by the smells coming from the tree that had been
masked by the wonderful bread smells that filled the cave. Hilda was
certain he made it to the tree faster than ever before.
“Taste one. They are
not too hot. They are perfect!” exclaimed Hilda taking another
bite which this time got into the core of the turkey which was filled
with spicy bread and rice.
Suddenly she stopped
eating. Looking up she saw a large number of trolls approaching from
both directions of the valley. She recognized the two largest
families of the region. She quickly put down the remaining turkey
'fruit' and ran forward hearing Orsee crunching the bones as he
finished the lasts bites of his treat.
“Welcome friends!”
she cried out in joy and excitement. “Welcome to OUR Feast of
Gratitude and Peace! Everyone gather quickly around before we eat to
express our gratitude for all that we have!”
Tears of happiness filled
Hilda's eyes as she surveyed the crowd. In her mind she counted over
three score trolls. (It was the largest gathering of trolls she had
ever witnessed.) There were hundreds of animals, small and large,
from a few hardy insects to a dozen large bears who had not yet
hibernated.
As she stood open
mouthed, unable to speak because of the joy she felt, Old Woggle came
up and stood beside her as did Orsee.
“This may sound strange
coming from me but my kind have been the food of all for years, it is
part of our circle of life. We are honored that the Creator and
Mother Earth chose such a universal taste to celebrate this day. Now
I think it is time for you to say something and let these hungry
critters eat!”
Hilda blinked as she
focused on the crowd. For a moment she turned and looked at Orsee
who grinned so wide all his teeth showed white and gleaming in the
evening air.
“Please listen
everybody!”
The crowd grew silent as
one by one they seemed to sense the importance of this occasion Soon
only the breeze rustling the trees could be heard through the entire
meadow.
“Where is Mother
Nature?” asked Orsee in a soft growl.
“All around us and in
our hearts.” replied Hilda smiling. “But she is standing next to
our new friend the old tree.
The bear said nothing but
gave her a small nod. Mother Nature nodded back and smiled as she
winked at the old tree stump who smiled.
“Go on deary.” said
the old stump. “And thank you for giving the land the life that
brought me back from my deep slumber.
Hilda smiled and then
turned to face her guests.
“I would like to recite
something I created while I was cooking. When I am done I want all
of us to pause in silence for a few moments and think, individually
about what you are grateful for. I will then need a few volunteers
to bring down the rest of the food from the cave and the casks of
milk, cheese, water and fruit juices we made. There is even several
barrels of honey juice for those who like that. Orsee and Old Woggle
know what to do so if you cannot get to me or hear me check with
them.”
A rumbling murmur rolled
through the gathering. The smells and their hunger made it hard to
wait but they were wise and they were indeed grateful so they
assented in anticipation of both the words and the feast.
Woggle and the others all
stepped back leaving her some room so they could all hear her.
For a few moments more
Hilda held her peace and then in a gentle, full voice began to speak
and though not everyone there would understand the words they could
sense the importance of their meaning and the greatness of the heart
that spoke them.
Great
Creator and Gentle Mother Earth!
As
thy children we gather to express our gratitude for all your bounty.
For
the elements that make us one
Fire
that gives heat and prepares food.
Water
to feed and cool all things.
Air
that gives all things life/
Earth,
the Mother of us all.
For
the seasons and the cycle of life
Spring
where the cycle starts
Summer
where it grows and matures.
Fall
where the cycle fulfills its path and gives its most.
Winter
where it rests and awaits new birth.
We
freely share all these and promise not to waste but to use all your
gifts as ordained.
For
the life giving food and this wonderful feast,
we
say give our thanks and pledge to use the strength it gives to
benefit all that lives.
May
one of these benefits be peace to all the Earth and all that live
within
and
may we be vessels of that peace now and forever.
Again
we express our gratitude for all your gifts.
Let
us enjoy these moments of peace and silence.
For a hundred
troll heartbeats there was silence in all the meadow. The auras of
those present seemed to merge and the Earth drew on that power.
Around the globe, for those few minutes, trolls and others close to
the Earth sensed a change that would in the years to come alter the
care and keeping of the world, all because of one Troll, a large
feast and a bond that was created in those few moments of silence as
the Creator and Mother Earth received the thanks and honor they would
use to help their greatest love: the Planet Earth.
As for the
feast, according to all who attended it was by far the most wonderful
experience they had ever had and those turkeys, well let it be said
they will always be remembered for their magical taste and
appearance. Ever since that first feast, oh so long ago, the trolls
and their friends have gathered every year since in the high meadow
with Hilda, Orsee and repeated the Feast of Gratitude and Peace and
though Hilda no longer cooks and it is Orsee's great great great
grandson that does the cooking the troll world continues to enjoy the
once a year magic of the 'thanks-giving' tree. It is no surprise
that the word spread and the feast became a standard through out all
trolldom and even though they did not all have the magical turkey
'fruit' of the first one great care was always taken to keep Hilda's
intentions and purpose completely fulfilled. That humans have a
similar feast held on the third Thursday of their month of November,
is also no surprise, for we are all children of the same Creator and
as such are charged to care for the Earth which gives us all
sustenance.
And Snip,
Snap Snout, this tales told out.
