Hamish Takes a Chance (continued)

After investigating for a few minutes, Hamish heard a voice above him in the trees. It was an old owl. “Say, I haven’t seen you around here before.” said the owl, “It’s rather dangerous for a hare to be around these fox holes, what are you looking for?”

“Well … I come from far away …” began Hamish, and he told the owl the legend of the fox holes and how the goose had directed him to this spot.

“Legends are wonderful things,” said the Owl, “they inspire us and give us hope. But you always need to remember, they may contain exaggerations. We owls have a legend about a land of greyish-red soil that is said to be very special. It is said that in that land some plants grow bigger than anywhere else.” Hamish ears perked up. “Can you imagine that?” the owl continued, “It would be rather silly for any of us to go, give up everything to find this elusive land. Besides what good would it do us owls, we aren’t even vegetarians. You should not take legends so seriously, they are not meant to be travel guides, they are meant to be inspirational, or a reminder of a better world to come.”

“Yes, I suppose your right.” said Hamish, “But suppose there is a land of greyish-red soil, wouldn’t it be worth …’

“Tish, tosh” replied the owl, “You really are a silly hare. I have better things to do than talk to you.” And the owl flew away.