Since this whole journey began with a story, I thought it'd be fitting to end with one. I thought up this fable on the road and wrote it the afternoon I got back. Thanks to everyone for your kindness, generosity, and wisdom. I never felt alone out there.
Handful of Rock, Handful of Sea
By Matthew Ross Smith
1
There once was a boy who lived by the sea. He was a happy boy—and why wouldn’t he be? He had nothing to do but play and explore. When he was hungry he ate the coconuts in the trees; when he was thirsty he drank the rain; when he was restless he walked up the shore, turning over shells that were ancient and colorful and so big he could nap inside them. He had everything he could ever want.
Or so he thought.
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One day he got talking with a seagull. “Tell me something wise,” the seagull said.
