There are two stories to this cache. I noticed a natural
feature, and it reminded me of the "AMANDLA", Power to the people,
symbolic gesture.
That is the first story:
The clenched black fist or "Amandla" symbol is deeply rooted in the
history of the country.
For me, it represents, in one icon, the struggle against
apartheid. Seeing this feature reminded me of the symbol and caused
me to reflect how it had been part of the (relatively) peaceful
revolution that occurred in this country. It struck me that it had
been a long time since I had seen it used.The 15 years of Post
Election peace have, happily, made it's use very rare. How far we
have come since the days of "The Struggle".
I intend no political agenda. These are simply reflections on our
political past.
I went over and had a look around for a place to hide a cache. It
would highlight this feature,hoping to give others similar
reflection. Whilst looking, I came across a piece of paper hidden
in a nook. It had a beautiful little story on it, referring to the
feature I had noticed. The writer had seen something completely
different to me.
That is the second story:
Below are pictures of the the piece of paper and the story it
tells:
As it may not be that easy to read (despite my best digital
manipulations), I have transcribed it below:
"This story is for the next
person who comes along and
thinks this crevice looks like
the perfect secret mail box!
May you find joy and peace,
may you awaken to the more
beautiful world you heart
tells you is possible!
Once apon a time, all this land was
wild, and creatures, mundane and magical,
roamed freely, watched over by the sun
each day, and by the moon at night.
One night the moon sailed up over the
ridge of the mountain, and saw that
while she had been sleeping, humans had
arrived high in the hill, they were
digging - mining for the metal sared to
her. There was little she could do, but
her round face grew sad. And then
she saw, peeking over a rock, a
young dragon. Perhaps he had been
woken by the clang of spades and axes.
Now, curios as a cat, he was coming
to see what strange creatures could be
making such a noise. The moon was
wise and she had seen humans before
and knew they hated all magical
creatures. If they should see the young
dragon, they would surely kill him.
Dragons were creatures of her brother,
the Sun, and though she didn't always
get on well with him she couldn't
bear the thought of any creature
being hurt.
In the day time, when the sun burned
in the sky, the dragon could call on
fire to protect himself, but now at
night he was defenseless against
the spades and axes of the humans.
She allowed her grief to well up
within her - her sorrow at all that
humans were doing, their destruction
of the earth and violence towards
each other. She allowed her grief
to rise and rise until at last, one
of her precious tears trickled down
her face. Taking careful aim
with her chin, she allowed the
single tear to fall, down through
the dark sky, and to splash! on the
young dragon's head.
He was instantly turned to stone
not dead, but frozen - and so, for
now, safe from the humans.
Each night now, when the moon sails
up far behind the ridge of mountains,
she looks down to make sure he is
still safe, and that his magic is
preserved on earth. She waits,
and watches: one day, when she sees
that humans no longer work with
spades and axes to steal from the
earth, when they have learned to
live in harmony, a tear of joy will
well in her eye, and she will
let this tear splash down onto the
young dragon; he and his magic
will wake again."
A touching story with some echos to the thoughts that were
provoked in me by the selfsame feature. I felt that the story
should be passed on and preserved. I am happy that geocaching has
given me that opportunity.
The listed coordinates will take you to the spot where I saw the
"Amandla" gesture the best. You will have to look around and find
it for yourself. The cache is hidden behind it, on the opposite
side that faces you when you look from the viewing spot.
The story was found in a nook in the "forearm's" west
side.
As you walk away, look back.
What did you see today?
An image of your country's past, or a fire breathing
creature?