I have recently begun to complete the story of the Traveler and prepare it for publishing in book form. For this reason I have had to take the story of the Traveler and her journey down from print in blog format. I will keep you updated as to it future publication date here on the blog, or you can always me for me information at bonadonnamommy@yahoo.com and I will personally email with the details on the print and release dates, and all other exciting information regarding The Traveler's Journey! I thank you so much for your support in this exciting adventure of creativity with me. (and naturally would encourage you to find out what happens to The Traveler by purchasing the book when it becomes available for sale in book form!)
For those who have not read any of The Traveler's Journey, or would like a sneak preview, I have left the opening of the story and one of The Traveler's Songs here on the blog for you to read. Please enjoy!
God Bless you,
Sandra Bonadonna
The Traveler’s Journey Sandra Bonadonna © 2007
The Traveler’s Journey Sandra Bonadonna © 2007
I am standing atop a glorious mountain. Around me I see marvelous things. In one direction I
see the ocean, with the waves softly lapping the shoreline. In another direction, I see a tiny
village, maybe 30 or 40 hut style houses with red roofs. The straw for the rooftops appears to
have been painted red. There is a white gate encircling the village and two roads that weave
through the little village and rejoin back at the main gate.
From another direction I see dense, deep forest, heavily laden with the greenest of trees. A view of yet another direction reveals a long dirt road that appears to have no end. Above me the clouds roll by, and as they pass I see what almost looks like a window – an entranceway that is filled with such bright light that I turn away from the pain it brings to my eyes. I am faced with a decision.
Where do I go? I have so many options, and I am stranger in a strange land. Should I try to meet the villagers? Are they a friendly people? Or should I brave that endless road to find out if it really does have an end?
There is always the forest, who knows what adventures await me in there? I could sail the sea,
and sail away from this strange place. I bet if I walked along the coast line I might find a boat of
some kind. I don’t have the ability to reach through the window in the sky – but I bet if the
villagers accepted me we could work together to build a balloon or small plane that would take us
through the opening to see what is on the other side.
I look down to see what I am wearing and notice a box at my feet. The box is about 6 feet long and about 3 feet deep. How did I not notice that? There is an envelope attached to the box, with the words, ‘For you Traveler’ written on it.
Lying on the ground next to the box is a crow bar. Should I open the box with the bar, or read
the note first? I am trying to keep my curiosity in check and I gingerly lift the letter, which is
written on parchment, and hold it in my hands. I unfold the parchment and read the following:
Traveler:
You have many choices to make. This is a journey which you must complete.
There are many tasks to be completed, and each time you complete a task you
will receive information on your next task. Your journeys will take you too many places and you will meet many people along the way. Some will be good, some
bad, and some neither good nor bad, just there. There will be beings of good who
will help guide your way, and beings of trouble that will try and lead you
astray. You will need to discern carefully the intentions of those whom you meet
to make sure you are where you need to be. Should you choose incorrectly, you
could find yourself in grave danger. Should you choose properly and complete
all of your tasks, your rewards will be great! In the box you will find several
things that will help you along your way. Do not be wasteful, and consider every
step before you make it. I have faith in you Traveler, that you will reach the end
and be given your rewards. Remember to keep that faith in yourself. Your first
task is to seek out Tallany in the Village below the mount on which you stand.
Find Tallany, she will be your guide.
I tenderly fold up the letter and place in my jacket pocket. I then pick up the crow bar and
proceed to open the box. Once the box is open I examine the contents. There is a back pack, a
flashlight, a pack of matches, a sleeping bag, a water canteen, some prepackaged crackers, a
journal with blank pages, a pen, hiking boots in my size, and a bible. What an interesting traveler
package. I put on the boots, strap on my gear, and begin my descent down the mountain to the
tiny village below, in search of Tallany.
THE VILLAGE
Arriving at the front gate of the village, I look back up at the mountain where I stood at the top.
My! How far I have come, and yet the journey has just begun. The front gates to the village are
large, black Iron wrought bars. The gates are closed and appear to be locked. I walk up to touch
the gate and immediately I am shocked by what feels like electricity! I back up and look around
and see no electric poles or electric workings. The walls of the city are about 10 feet high and
made of brick. I can no longer see in, as I was able to from the mountain top. I decide I need to
walk around the village walls and see if there is another way in. As I begin to walk around, I hear a rustling in the trees behind me.
“Who’s there?” I call out somewhat panicked.
I see someone moving around in the shrubbery. A young girl walks out. She is about 4 feet tall, and has long, flowing, silky, jet black hair. She is quite thin, and appears fragile. She looks to be about 10 years of age. Her eyes are big and wide, and the blueness of them appears to match the color of the sea. She is wearing a potato sack garb dress, and has no shoes on her feet. There is a large pocket in the front of her sack dress that she immediately puts both hands into.
“Hi, do you live in the village” I ask?
“No, Ma’am”
“Where do you live?”
“Right here Ma’am, in the brush outside the village.”
“You live in the brush,” I ask dumbfounded?
“Yes Ma’am. I always have, since as far as I can remember. Are you from here?”
“No I am a traveler, and I have many tasks to complete. My first task is to find Tallany. Do you know her?”
“Yes Ma’am, everyone knows Tallany. She is a guide. She lives in the village.”
“What is your name” I ask?
“My name is Green. May I call you Traveler?”
I realized at that moment that I do not remember my own name. The note I have is addressed
to Traveler, so I guess that will be what I go by.
“Yes, you may call me Traveler, Green. Do you know how I can get into the village? The gates are electrified.”
“That is so those who don’t belong can’t get in. I am one who does not belong. You can ring the large bell at the side of the entrance.”
“You don’t belong? But you are just a child, what have you done to not belong?”
“I may appear as a child to you, but you need to remember appearances can be deceiving. I am a forewarner, one placed here specifically to tell you what you need to hear, of course once you ask.”
“A what? Forewarner? What does that mean?”
“You need to know how to enter the city, I have told you. Is there more, Ma’am, which you need to know?”
I stop and remember the letter…you will meet many people along the way, some good, some bad, some neither good nor bad….
“Green, let me ask you this, what is the name of the place where I am?”
“You are standing outside the Village, Ma’am.”
“I know, but the name of this place, this entire place.”
“I have no answer for you, Ma’am.”
“Should I be worried about entering the village?”
“Are you hesitant to enter?”
“No, I need to find Tallany.”
“Then you should not be worried.”
“Did you just have me answer my own question, Green?”
“Did you need me tell you, Ma’am?”
“You are incorrigible, aren’t you?”
“No Ma’am, I am a Forewarner.”
“Thank you, Green. Will you be staying with me on my travel?”
“You may always find me here among the brush. Goodbye, Traveler.”
And with that Green returned to the brush, and I heard nothing more from her. I walked back
around the front of the village, and saw the rope hanging attached to the bell. I pull the rope once and wait. I hear no voices, no sounds. I let a moment or two go by and then pull the rope again. I
see another child standing on the other side of the gate.
This child is a young boy, who is wearing a blue uniform, similar to a suit. He has long brown hair, falling into his face. He looks at me with a puzzled look, and I notice the deep chocolate brown of his eyes. He just stands there, and says nothing.
“I am Traveler. I am seeking Tallany. May I enter the Village?”
The boy walks up to the gate and pushes the large wrought iron bars open. He signals for me to
enter. I enter the Village and immediately the gates slam shut behind me. All of a sudden I hear
sound! I hear the hustle and bustle of people. I hear music playing, children laughing, and sound
of life! I turn to the boy.
“Boy, where can I find Tallany?”
He simply stares at me and does not say a word. I am only to assume he is not going to tell me
anything. I see the dirt roads that weave through the Village that I saw when atop the mountain.
I remember that both roads lead all the way back around to the gates. I choose to walk down the
left road and begin my journey in the Village. There are sounds of life and laughter all around
me. It brings a smile to my face. As I walk down the road, the villagers just keep about their
routines and hardly notice me at all.
I pay attention to every home as I pass it, waiting for something to happen or to get my attention. In a hut to my right I see an old woman sitting out front. She appears to be sleeping. She is covered in a robe that wraps from her head to her feet. It does not conceal her face; this is how I know she is old. Could she be Tallany?
I walk up to her and softly say, “I am Traveler and I seek Tallany. Will you help me?”
She gestures for me to enter the hut. I walk past her and into the hut. It is a 3 room hut. There
is a large area when I first enter that appears to me a family meeting room and has a large table
with 6 chairs around it. Along one wall of the hut is a breakfront laden with dishes. Near the back
of the hut is another room that appears to be a shrine or a worship area, decorated in candles,
and a simple altar. The other room appears to be sleeping quarters. An older man walks from
the sleeping quarters into the entrance room. He looks at me and then gestures that I sit at the
table. He walks over to a stove in the corner and takes a pot from it, then grabs a cup from the
breakfront. He sets the cup in front of me and pours a hot, steaming liquid into the cup. He
gestures for me to drink.
“Thank you kind sir. I am Traveler, who are you?”
“Drink young one, drink that you may know kindness from strangers.”
I sip the warm concoction and tastes like tea. I look up at the older man, and ask again.
“What is your name kind sir?”
“I am Kerped. My wife is Kaperd; you met her at the front door. We welcome you to our Village.”
“Thank you Kerped. Do you know where I may find Tallany?”
“No one finds Tallany. Tallany will find you if it is meant to be.”
“What does that mean?”
“May I offer you a plate of bread and soup to nourish you?”
“Thank you sir that would be pleasant.”
His wife, Kaperd, then joins me at the table. She takes a seat across from me, and I can see now that she is blind.
“Thank you for hospitality, Kaperd. I appreciate it the food and warm drink.”
“You seek Tallany, do you not?”
“Yes, Kaperd, I do.”
“She will be coming for you. No one seeks Tallany, she seeks them.”
“That is what Kerped was telling me. May I stay here until she comes?”
“Traveler you are not meant to be here except to nourish, and then you must move on. That is your road to travel.”Kerped stated matter-of-factly.
I finished my meal and thanked them again for their hospitality and then headed back down the
village road. I walk past about 4 more huts when I see another hut with an old woman who looks
strikingly, exactly like Kaperd sitting on the stoop out front of the hut. She is wearing the exact
same robe, and I approach her. I look into her eyes and note that unlike Kaperd, she is not blind.
“My name is Traveler; I have just come from the home of Kerped and Kaperd. I noted that you look a lot like Kaperd, might you be her family?”
“We are all family in the Village. Welcome, Traveler, might you come into my home and allow me to prepare a meal for you?”
“I was just fed at the home of Kerped and Kaperd, thank you for the invitation though. What is your name?”
“Traveler my name is Tallany, and you have been seeking me. I again, persuade you to come into my abode and allow me to prepare a meal for you?”
“Thank you Tallany, I am glad to have found you.”
I follow the woman into her home, and find that it is a single room with no furnishings of any
kind. On the floor lay a grouping of pillows in a circle. Tallany gestures for me to be seated on the
pillows, and I do. She walks back out the front entrance of the hut and comes right back in with a
tray. She sits the tray on the floor in the middle of the circle of pillows and then takes a seat
directly across from me.
“Traveler, I am glad you have come, I was expecting you. In the home of Kaperd and Kerped you were given warm drink and breads with soup, were you not?”
“Yes, Tallany, I was.”
“Now allow me to give you another meal. This meal you will take with you on your travels.”
She holds up a small glass bottle with a green colored liquid sloshing around inside.
“This is to drink when you are in need of the presence of the forewarner, whom you met at the entrance to the Village.”
Next, she holds up a loaf of bread.
“This bread shall feed you all throughout your journey. Take small bites and eat sparingly, as your letter stated to you, be sure to conserve. Take only what you need.”
Then she holds up another bottle with red liquid in it.
“This drink shall save your life, if you are in danger of losing it. This drink should not be consumed all at once, but taken of only when needed. Remember the red signify’s the saving of your life. Do not forget and take care to keep this bottle safe.”
Then she holds up a small brown bag.
“The contents of this bag will help you in your search. There are 3 items contained within. The first is a stone. The second is a nugget of gold, and the third is a key. Listen to your heart; you will know when the time is to use them, and their purpose.”
Then she points to the front door.
“On the stoop outside the door you will find your next task. You have completed your first task,
you have found me. I am your guide. I am always with you, and you will always be able to find me when the need is present. I can be found in many places along your journey. You will find me here and you will find me there. Where I will not be, is where you do not belong. There are many questions, Traveler, I know them, and I see them in your eyes. My advice to you is not to get caught up in the questions, but rather find the answer. There is but one answer to all of the questions, and in that answer you will find the end of your quest. Distractions will appear at every turn. You will need to wisely discern who your helper is and who is attempting to lead you astray. Your life rests in that ability to discern. You will meet many people, as your letter told you Traveler, just be wise in your dealings with them. There are many more tasks that await you, and the road is long. The sun rarely sets in the Village, but it does set quite early in many other places that you will visit along the way. Take care in the darkness; be sure not to lose your way. Time does not exist in this place, at least not time as you know it to be. Your heart will be your compass. Follow it, listen to it, and above all else protect it. Do you have questions for me Traveler?”
“Why am I here Tallany?”
“Traveler you came here. I did not bring you. The answer to that question is only one that you can answer.”
“Am I dreaming?”
“You appear awake to me.”
“How will I find you again if I need you?”
“You do not find me, I find you.”
“Where do I go when I leave here?”
“There is a note waiting for you outside the door of this hut. It will give you the information you seek.”
“Is there anything else I need to know?”
“Do you have more questions for me?”
“That seems very cryptic, Tallany. To answer my questions with more questions. Green had done the same.”
“But were Green’s answers accurate?”
I stopped for a moment to think back.
“Yes, I guess they were. Thank you Tallany. I will be continuing on my journey now.”
I rose, collected the items she gave to me, and turned to walk out the door. I turned back and
she was no longer there, neither were the pillows. The entire hut was empty. Shaking my head
from confusion I stepped out the door and saw the envelope marked TRAVELER lying on the
ground. I picked it up and opened it, carefully unfolding the parchment.
Congratulations Traveler, you have completed the task and found Tallany. Your reward is the items she gave to you for help on your journey. Your next task is also to be completed in the Village. You must find the home of Helper. Helper will be your travel companion and aid you on your journey. Ask no one for the location of Helper; use your heart to direct you. You will know when you find him. Once you have located Helper, you will find the instructions for your next task. Remember, Traveler, I have faith in you; remember to have faith in yourself.
I looked around the Village from the view of the front yard of Tallany’s hut. I need to find
Helper somewhere in this Village, but I cannot ask for help. I decide to continue down the road
and see where it leads. I pass about 10 huts when I see a small farm building near the bend in
the road. I notice there are horses and other farm animals running around a fenced in yard. A
barn stands near the back edge of the lot. Horses, this must be a means of travel. I assume that I will find Helper here. I walk to the farm house and knock on the door. The door slowly opens,
and a striking young man greets me.
“My name is Traveler, who might you be?”
“My name is Helper. I have been expecting you Traveler, please come in.”
*********
Check back often or email the author Sandra Bonadonna at bonadonnamommy@yahoo.com for more information on the release of the book The Traveler's Journey in 2009
I am on an unknown journey,
Traveling in a strange land,
So many friends to lean on,
On the search for who I am.
Helper is the special one,
The one who helps me through,
The one I know must be the Son,
For his compassion is so true.
The others who have helped me,
Tallany, Green, Greylania and Pheso too,
And all other town folk who took me in,
They are friends true blue.
A family is made up those you love,
Regardless of blood relation,
The love is what binds us together,
Speaks the truth without hesitation.
The love of the family,
I finally know,
The love of the family,
Has helped me to grow,
The love of the family,
Whom I love with all soul.
You are treasured in my heart,
With worth more precious than gold.
I have family on this journey,
And folks I call my friends,
And it's humbling to know,
They will stand by me,
Until the very end.
The Traveler
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