[at-l] The Legend of Friar Tuck

["Jim Sneed" <hkrtrash@mindspring.com>]

With all the talk of tuckerizing packs going on, maybe it's time for the
annual telling of the Legend of Friar Tuck.  I don't remember who wrote or
first posted this on the list a few years ago, but it was worth saving and
re-telling each year as the new class of thruhikers prepares to leave on
their great adventure.

THE  LEGEND OF FRIAR TUCK

One upon a time, in a state far from the AT, there was a fair maid.
No pampered princess content in a pinkie palace, she was a Gypsy in
both heart and soul. And she craved an adventure..to walk for 2000
miles .  She soared thru the sky to the land called Georgia where
she met a kind man named Sir Milt who packed her on his steed and
took her to the Mountain called Springer.  Here she would find the
trail to that most holy of mountains - Katahdin - and she began her hike.
The day grew old and night was nigh, so Lady Gypsy and Sir Milt sought
shelter near the mountain.  On the way, they met a stranger named
Friar Tuck.  He seemed an affable sort and Sir Milt knew Gypsy would
meet many men on her journey , so her bid her much luck and ado and
left in the night for his own home far away.

The affable Tuck and our Gypsy spent time before sleep discussing her
plan to walk from the land called Georgia to the land called Maine.

"But prithee, fair maid" asked Tuck. "why dost thou carry such a heavy
load.  It will be cumbersome and cause you injury that will slow your
trip!"

"But Friar" said Gypsy, "I need all these things to keep me whilst on my
way!  I have very little.  What would you have me cast aside?"

Such and invitation could not be ignored and Friar Tuck pounced on our
Gypsy's pack, tossing things hither and yon.

"A trowel..use your foot.  A comb....use your fingers.  Your tent has
a floor..why carry a second!"  Bottles and bits were flung far and
wide until only her underwear remained inside.

"No" cried our Gypsy, fit to be tied.
"One pair", said the Friar, as he cast them aside.
When her pack had been plundered he glanced at maid Gypsy.
She started to giggle. He thought "Is she tipsy?"
She laughed at the pile that she no longer needed
and thanked the kind Tuck.

But the gleam in her eye said she kept a secret.

As dawn broke our Gypsy and Tuck parted ways.  Her steps were lighter
and her heart even more.  She had hidden her treasure from the
affable Friar.  Her teensy little deodorant was safe.

Off she went to walk 2000 miles ....a trip under construction as this
tale is told.

So whenever madmen and women speak of walking from Georgia to Maine,
the tale is told so we remember his name.

Kind Tuck....Wise Tuck, left her only one pair.
And we wonder still, what he did with her spares.

Good Hiking,
Jim

"Visit my world at  http://www.mindspring.net/~hkrtrash/ "
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"Take my advice; I'm not using it!"
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