The Tomb of the Golden Toucan
Once, in a kingdom not much different than ours, there lived a very humble and kind man named Eddie. He was not like most men who would seek fame and fortune but rather preferred to lead a simple life filled with harmony and peace. He owned a small bookstore and he earned just the right amount of money to lead a decent life. However, like every other person, he held dreams of adventure and hidden treasures. His bookstore was filled with books describing tales of forgotten stories, mystical creatures, hidden treasures, and thrillers. Having them around him all the time, even Eddie had concocted up his world of adventure and thrill, and he wished to experience the same. However, he never really got an actual chance to concretize his dreams into reality.
One day, a mysterious old man stepped into Eddie's shop. His body leathery and beaten down by time, his eyes filled with a sense of adventure and wisdom. Along with him, he carried a book which seemed as old as him, if not more. He sold the book to Eddie in exchange for a place to stay for the night.
The book was old, and covered in a thick layer of dust. The front cover said, 'The Tomb of the Golden Toucan.' Intrigued by the title, Eddie started reading it. The book described a mythical place where a tomb built by an old king was situated in the heart of a jungle. It was said that the king's favorite pet, a Golden Toucan, died and it was given a lavish burial in the tomb that was filled with all kinds of treasures and riches.
As Eddie turned the pages, he found a rough map sketched on to a page. Eddie suddenly remembered his dreams of adventure and thought maybe this was the chance for him to realize those dreams. Excited, he decided to embark on this adventurous journey and find the Tomb of the Golden Toucan.
Armed with the book and his instincts, Eddie reached the location as per the map. It was a dense tropical jungle situated on an uncharted island. Journeying through the dense vegetation and battling wild animals, he finally found something that looked like an entrance to a tomb.
The tomb was extravagant, full of intricate carvings and laden with uncountable jewels and gold. And there, at the center of the tomb lay a golden casket, a beautifully carved toucan embellished on top of it. True to the tale, it was the resting place of theGolden Toucan. The walls had murals painted on them, telling the story of the king and his beloved pet.
Eddie felt a strange sensation of happiness and completion. He didn't touch the treasure that lay aground but instead marked his location for further exploration by researchers.
Returning home, Eddie felt a sense of satisfaction he had never experienced, he became content with his life yet ready for another adventure. The old man, proud of Eddie's achievement, disappeared leaving behind other numerous books for Eddie to quench his thirst for thrill and adventure. Eddie told his tale and many more found their way to the Tomb of the Golden Toucan to marvel at its splendor and to learn the tales of the olden days.
In the end, Eddie didn't become rich materially, but he found a treasure much more valuable. He found his long-sought thrill for adventure and a renewed passion for life. He continued living his life, dreaming of new adventures, and reading stories that opened new worlds for him.