THE MAGICAL BRIGHT BLUE BEAN

THE MAGICAL BRIGHT BLUE BEAN

Utterly Mad lives in the top of an old, very special tree in Pennsylvania.
And this is how he came to be there¦
Going off to see the world as a young boy Utterly sailed in many ships, on many seas. One day, while taking a rest between Shanty and Hornpipe, he found himself on a tiny island somewhere in the Great South Seas. On the island was just one great ancient tree and beneath the tree Utterly sat down to eat hard cheese and sea-biscuits for his lunch. He enjoyed this rare moment away from his crew mates, but each time he looked up from his food something shone into his eyes making him squint, as if a mirror were reflecting the sun at him. Finally he became fed up, throwing his remaining food into the sea he strode along the beach and there half buried in the sand was the magical bright blue bean.
The size of a chicken egg, blue as the deepest sea, it was truly marvellous to look at as pulses of warm light flickered from within. It was as if it were alive. Picking it up Utterly felt the warmth of the sun glow through his fingers, gazing into it he saw the slow swirl of the oceans, holding it to his ear he heard whispers of the winds. He sat for many hours marvelling at the magical bright blue bean, it was his treasure. The shadows lengthened and Utterly had to return to his ship, so putting the bean into an old sock for safe-keeping he went back to his life afloat.
But, when sometimes quite alone, keeping watch from the top of the mast or working deep within the hold of his ship, he would take out the magical bright blue bean to gaze and wonder at it.

Many years passed and Utterly travelled all round the worlds oceans, but never again did he see anything as wonderful as the magical bright blue bean, which he still kept secretly in his old woollen sock.
Then one day Utterly decided he had seen enough of the world, that it was time to go back to his place of birth in Pennsylvania. Much was unknown about those who lived there, so he began to explore going deep into the great forests which lead in all directions. He met many people from tribes called Lenape, Erie and Susquehannock who treated him well as they saw he was a worldly man with no fear or hatred in his heart. Staying awhile in one particularly beautiful place Utterly made some very fine new friends, of whom he came to think of as brothers. Their kindness was hard to repay, so one day he pulled from his pack the old sock and showed them the magical bright blue bean. They looked at it in wonder, as he once had beneath that old wizened tree in the Great South Seas. He decided it was time for somebody else to enjoy the bean, so giving it them Utterly continued on his own journey once again, leaving his friends with fond farewells and a promise to look after their new treasure.

Taking only what the forest provided to eat, Utterly lived very happily, at peace with himself, man and beast. But as with all men after time, his beard whitened, the cold bit deeper and sleep became harder; he was growing old.
He had by then travelled amongst the vast stretches of the American forests for many years, meeting many more different peoples, all of whom he treated with great respect.
Remembering his friend's from many years before, Utterly thought he would return there to build a small house and live out his remaining years.
After many weeks walking and searching he was sure he had found the very spot, but all about him the forest had grown and changed. He decided the only thing to do was climb a nearby tree that towered above all else. With remarkable ease he was soon at the top and walking about four great branches which pointed out North, South, East and West. He looked in every direction, but alas could not see his old friends anywhere.
Sitting down, he noticed just below the top, a hollow which went right inside and down as far as he could see, it was just big enough for a man. Slipping inside feet first, Utterly was surprised to find the hollow very smooth and a dark warm sea-blue colour. Then Utterly realised, this tree had grown from his magical bright blue bean!

Sadly, Utterly never found his best friends again but decided to live in the tree, which was safe, dry and far from the meddling of others. Over the years Utterly spent more and more time in the tree until he stayed there just about all the time. Never feeling hungry, cold or sick he even stopped wearing clothes like you and I, just a piece of bark for his modesty.

The magic tree gave Utterly a long happy life, so long in fact that you may still find him, if you know where to look, when walking an old forgotten trail in Pennsylvania.

You may happen to glance
to see hanging askance
a man of strained expression.

His clothes made of bark
are not worn for a lark
but to cover his exposed disposition.

With a nod and a wink
just a fast as a blink
for your quickness of eye be glad.

As a quick flash of pink
Makes you stop, turn and think
Is he Utterly Mad?