Into the dark from which none have returned
How to escape this?
This is what he ponders
This is what he sets his mind to solve
And solve it he does in an audacious but simple way-
He will visit the only man and his wife
Who have been granted immortal life

Easier said than done
They live at the end of the world
Are known as the far-away
Are guarded by giant scorpions
And that is just the beginning

But he is nothing if not determined
Single-minded in his purpose
Prone to having his way
Setting his mind on the outcome and not on the difficulties
Even when the bad dream comes
Even where there are warnings and signs that cannot be dismissed

So he journeys
Into the lands of far away and never
Into the dark and secret places of the world

Where the giant scorpions are
Who tell him is journey is hopeless and less than that
But who allow him to pass (this is the first miracle)
And on and on he goes

And then another miracle -or is it a deception?
He enters a brilliant garden of gems
Where every tree bears precious stones
But even this does not stop him
Nothing can stop him as he goes
Nothing hinders his mind from its destination

Neither can the tavern keeper who refuses to let him in
Until he proves to her who he is (his fame is that great)
And listens while she tells him of dangers and deceptions
But even that will not sway him

There are stories within stories
Mysteries within mysteries
Matters that cannot be told no matter what is told
Such is the episode of the 'stone things'

What these are the story does not say except to say
That they are necessary
So speculate, give them a function and name