T O R T I L L A B A Y . C O M

C R A I G' S   P A G E S

One hot afternoon, a poor, wandering traveler stopped to rest under a large shade tree.
"I wish I had a bit of something to eat and drink", said the weary and hungry traveler.
Suddenly, the tree that he was resting under began to quiver and it's leaves and branches began to shake producing a wonderful musical chorus of tinkling bells.
Instantly, a table of delicious food and drink appeared in front of him. The sudden appearance of the very things he had been wishing for made the traveler shake with fear. The traveler then slowly realized that this was the legendary Wish-Giving Tree he had heard about all of his life.

It was more than a legend, it was true! The traveler, feeling faint and overwhelmed, sat down, his head spinning.
The man was very hungry and as quickly as he ate all the food, more food and drink appeared on the table. Once his stomach was full, he started to become very excited about the possibilities of having everything he ever wanted.
A Magic Wish-Giving Tree!
I can have everything I could ever dream of!
The traveler only had to think of something to wish for and it would instantly appear.

As soon as he imagined it, a warm bath, new clothes and new shoes appeared.

The man rapidly wished for a palace and rooms full of gold and treasure.

In a flash, a beautiful white and gold palace appeared surrounded by a luxurious garden with fountains and peacocks and exotic fragrant flowers.

The rooms were filled with rare and precious treasures and gold.

 " The next thing that I want is a beautiful wife to live with me and share my life.

And servants to tend to us and guard my property and treasures", thought the man.

Instantly, the most beautiful and intelligent woman in the world appeared at his side.

 Servants, guards and an army of people large enough to tend to his every desire suddenly appeared.

The man , still awestruck by what had happened, began to think,

 "This can't really be happening. It must be a trick. None of this could be real! This is probably the work of a terrible demon who is out to trick me!"

Suddenly the palace and all it's riches disappeared. His splendid garden and his beautiful wife also vanished. The man began to scream in fear, "It IS a trick! And a demon is going to come and get me!"

And a ferocious demon leapt out of a fiery hole in the ground, grabbed the man and dragged him into the hole in the ground.
The man was never seen again.

The moral of this story is : Sometimes you don't need to question every unexpected wonderful gift.

 And remember, whatever you believe to be true, is true. Your thoughts are very powerful and will affect your life in profound ways.

"G'night little possums!"

"G'night Meemaw."

Rusty stayed awake and thought about the story for a while.