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Naturally Disastrous A gambling man is often either a very stubborn man, or a very desperate one! Some gamble with money, others with pride, and in some cases with their very lives. The story that unfolds before us is about a tale of a man who gambled against nature, and nature accepted with both their prides on the line. It all began with a young man from a quaint and small village. He was very proud and very arrogant, being that he never lost a bet in his life. No matter what that bet happened to be. He was either very lucky in a very dumb sense, or very skilled at succeeding. Whatever the case may be, the man's ego could not contain itself with the string of victories at hand. He boasted left and right, high and low, to anyone who would listen! "I'm better than anyone at anything, anytime! Whether it be the gods or nature itself!" The young man puffed his chest out. Unbeknownst to the young fellow, there had been an extra presence listening to his excessive self-praising. "OHHHH?" The earth rumbled back at him, and shook beneath his feet! "Ahhh! Who's there?!" The young man called out while in a frantic attempt to regain his balance. "YOU THINK YOU CAN BEST ME?" The earth spoke back to him. Mother Nature in the form of the trees and the earth was sick of the size of his ego for a mortal. "Try me!" He pointed a thumb to himself with a sudden and great confidence. And so a deal was made, if the man could survive Nature's trials for seven days time, he would win with his life and a "reward". Sparked by the thought of victory alone and bettering nature, he accepted. On the first day, the winds howled violently and threatened to blow the man away! "Hah! Is that all you've got?!" The man taunted back, tying himself squarely to the oldest and greatest tree he could find, knowing nature would not compromise it. The second day came... and the earth trembled and twisted while the winds howled. The third day... the earth trembled, the winds howled, and the sea clashed violently against the land. It all kept piling on... Through all six days... the man managed to survive whether it be out of pure luck or through incredible demonstrations of skill. Regardless, he taunted Nature back each and every day, it was infuriating! The final day came, yet... it was so calm. The man was surprised. "Given up already?" He called out with a sheepish grin pointed to the earth. Soon noon came, and yet there was nothing. The sun continue to roll by, and he was sure that he had all but won. It was not a great shadow snuck behind him, and a horrible realization struck. He looked behind him to see the largest tidal wave of his life, rolling up at him... His eyes widened and his mouth dropped, in one fell swoop, he was gone! Nature grinned (if you could picture that!), having gathered all the water she could find for this final day, sure that she would not lose. It wasn't until dawn struck the next day... a small cough and gurgle could be heard. A very waterlogged and familiar young man emerged. There was one very distinct detail that was different about him this time, the proud smile was wiped clean off. Rather he was shaken, trembling, and very, very pale. For the first time in his life, he realized how close he came to death for a bet. That this was no game... no sir! Though Nature had lost the bet, she won the respect she longed for. The young man never made another bet, or boasted his deadly victory. Rosenqueen | |