The Hermit, the Mountain, and the Chocolate Lock

Denis

The old hermit curled up next to his crackling fire with a blanket. He watched the smoke curl up the primitive chimeney he had constructed, venting out an overhead hole in his cave. His mutt, Bo, grunted and flopped down on top of him, mashing his dirty grey fur against the hermits face. The heavy raindrops pounded relentlessly against the cave door . The hermit yawned and shut his eyes, falling into a gentle sleep.

In his dream he was running at full speed, and the wind whipped his grungy dreads around behind him. In the distance a magnificent yellow mare chased after him. The old man laughed. "You can't catch up to me!" He yelled gleefully. The mare burst into a full gallop and the thud of each hoof crashing into the ground grew louder and louder.

The old man awoke, startled. The thudding continued. It wasn't the rain, someone was outside his door. Bo sprang up and began barking. The old man lifted himself up and limped slowly to the door, trying not to put too much pressure on his wooden leg. The door opened to a teenaged girl clutching a woven brown sack.

"Please sir, can I take cover here for the night?" Water dripped from her golden hair as she spoke.

"No," the hermit barked. "Try the village."

"Please, the rain is coming down hard and I.'ll leave first thing in the morning" she replied.

A crack of thunder bore down viciously, sending Bo skidding under the table where he shook with fear. The hermit groaned. He always seemed to have the worst luck.

"Fine, just one night, you can sleep there." He pointed to a pile of pine needles on the floor and grimaced as he stepped aside to let her in.

"What is your name?"

The hermit wrinkled his brows, trying to remember. It had been so long since he had told his name to anyone. Why was this girl making everything so difficult?

"Ehh.... Denis" he grunted.

"Denis, I wont forget your kindness. One day I want to repay you for it."

"Don't bother," said Denis, "I want you gone in the morning and I don't want you back."

The girl tossed her bag on the ground and stretched out on the pile of pine needles.

"Would you like to know my name?"

"No!"

"Goodnight then."

"Hrmph," grunted Denis as he rested his head on Bo. His head came crashing to the ground as Bo got up and walked over to the girl, curling up next to her instead. Denis stared angrily at the ceiling. As far as he was concerned, this girl could not leave fast enough.