Cool Water

The Never Ending Quest - Episode 47897

The lyrics to Cool Water were originally written by the Sons of the Pioneers, I believe. The complete lyrics are at http://www.cowboylyrics.com /tabs/ sons-of-the-pioneers/ cool-water- 1908.html. (Remove the spaces.)


"Freedom," thought Astra. She still had hope. She was cold, and looking forward to a fire at this friend that Hesht had. It would take a while for her to warm back up. But once this ravine had been crossed, the most substantial obstacle would be overcome. "Just don't give up, and all will come right in the end."

Astra summoned up all her discipline not to complain to Hesht about being cold. Not only would complaining be considered a character flaw unworthy of an Aqualarian princess, but she could tell that it would have a bad effect on Hesht. He was always so serious, and of course, nervous. That was good, to a point, but she was worried that he might reach a breaking point before they got to Petrona. Suddenly, although she was cold, wet, and on the verge of shivering, she burst into song.

All day I faced the barren waste
Without the taste of water. Cool water.
Old Dan and I with throats burned dry
And souls that cry for water. Cool, clear water.

Astra's song continued in its ironic vein, as the two thirsty travellers in the song suffer from mirages of water in the desert. Hesht caught on to the tune, singing the refrain without stuttering. One line of the refrain urged the travellers to "keep-a-movin'", which became a rallying point for Hesht and Astra. The distance to the canyon seemed to pass in little time, as they sang all the way.

Although the rain did not seem to be that much heavier, Astra now heard a roar. There had to be a burst of rain just ahead. As she was already soaked, such a burst could not make things that much worse. Hesht interrupted. "We are here."

Astra's heart sank as she climbed the last rise, and looked down. It was an awesome and discouraging sight. The roar was not that of rain, but that of a fresh set of rapids churning through a canyon. Large rocks, logs, and vast amounts of mud were being swept away in the stream below. It was too wide and too fast to ford, and even if they could swim across it, it was too far down to get to safely.

Astra and Hesht stared at each other, hoping the the other had an answer as to how to cross this.

Hesht then shouted, to be heard over the raging water, "There is a tree upstream that is a landmark. The canyon has slumped over the years, and the tree has grown up curved, and still leans outward from the canyon at a crazy angle."

  1. "How is that going to help us?" Astra asked.

Add New Option

Go Back

View Forward Story Tree
View Back Story Tree


Anableps

12/22/2004 11:46:45 PM

Extending Enabled

The Never Ending Quest Home

Extend-A-Story Home

21395006 episodes viewed since 9/30/2002 1:22:06 PM.

Do not click me.