Wader the Frog
Wader left the bustling village of Varborough and followed a winding path that led him into a dense forest. The air grew cooler, and the trees stretched so high that their tops seemed to orbit the sky. As he hopped along, he heard a rhythmic drumming in the distance, like a tabour beating out a mysterious call.
Curious, Wader followed the sound until he stumbled upon a clearing where a group of animals had gathered. At the center of the circle stood a Yoruba storyteller, wearing robes adorned with intricate patterns. The storyteller held a small drum and spoke with a voice full of brio, captivating the crowd.
“Gather round!” the storyteller called. “Tonight, I tell the tale of the Great Boar of Tor, who defeated the Rat King with courage and cunning.”
The crowd murmured with excitement as the storyteller began the tale, weaving words like notes in a rubato melody, bending time to hold the audience in awe. Wader couldn't help but listen, the story stirring something deep within him.
“Once, the Rat King ruled the land with a tar-stained grip,” the storyteller intoned. “But the Great Boar, a creature of strength and wisdom, challenged him. Their battle shook the very earth, and when it was done, the boar's legacy became legend. But, as all things must, the boar's story ended, leaving behind only an obituary written in the stars.”
As the story concluded, the crowd applauded, and Wader approached the storyteller. “Excuse me,” he said, “but do you know anything about this?” He showed the glowing scroll.
The Yoruba storyteller's eyes widened. “Ah, a seeker of truths. Your path is no ordinary one. I sense you will need both strength and wit to overcome what lies ahead.” They tapped their drum thoughtfully. “To proceed, you must solve a puzzle. Will you accept the challenge?”
Wader nodded. “I'm ready.”
The storyteller drew a diagram in the dirt, showing a series of circles overlapping like the orbits of planets. “The puzzle lies in the ratio of these circles. Find the correct balance, and the next step of your journey will reveal itself. But beware—if you fail, the stars will not align, and the path will be lost.”
Wader studied the diagram carefully, his mind racing. He knew this was no ordinary test. As he worked, the storyteller whispered, “Remember, even the smallest clue can hold the greatest meaning.”
After what felt like hours, Wader finally solved the puzzle. The ground beneath him trembled, and a beam of light shot up from the center of the circles, illuminating a hidden path through the forest.
“You have done well, little traveler,” the storyteller said, their voice warm with approval. “May your journey bring you strength and clarity.”
As Wader ventured onto the newly revealed path, he felt a surge of hope. The scroll glowed again, its text reshuffling to form another riddle:
"Under the tar, a treasure lies,
Brave the tor where shadows rise.
Seek the orbit, follow the star,
And the answers you seek aren't far."