Blackened Shovel

This is a collection of notes written by Newjon for addition to the local history's of modern day Durucari.

## The First Mentions

Many years ago, in a remote part of the world, there lived a man named Kadir. One day, while out hunting, Kadir stumbled upon a dead body lying in the dirt. The body had been picked clean by scavengers, but what caught Kadir's eye was the eerily black shovel lying beside the corpse.

Kadir approached the body and examined the shovel. It was unlike any he had ever seen before. The handle was made of dark wood, and the blade was black as coal. He couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and mystery around it.

Despite the eerie feeling that washed over him, Kadir took the time to bury the body, using the shovel he had found to dig the grave. He felt that it was the right thing to do, to show respect for the dead, and to honor the life that had been lost.

As Kadir made his way back to his village, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something special about the shovel. He decided to keep it, curious to find out more about its origins.

Over the years, Kadir discovered that the black shovel had magical abilities. It seemed to have a power over the land and the sea. When the family used the shovel to till their fields, they had large harvests, and when they went out to sea to fish, they always seemed to come back with an abundance of fish.

The black shovel also had a protective power over the island. It was said that invaders who came too close to the island would suddenly fall into the water, as if pushed by an invisible force. The family felt safe knowing that they had the black shovel to protect them.

As the years passed, the black shovel remained a treasured family heirloom. It reminded the family of their connection to their ancestors and their heritage, and it served as a reminder to never forget where they came from. They knew that the magic of the shovel had been passed down through generations, and that it was up to them to protect it and pass it on to the next generation.

And so, the black shovel remained a powerful symbol of the family's strength and resilience, a reminder of their connection to the land and sea, and a testament to the enduring power of magic.

## Other assorted tales

It seems that these tales are used to team young children lessons

#### The hard work tale

Landon sat on the porch of his family's house, the old shovel resting in his lap. He had been entrusted with this family heirloom, passed down through generations, and it was his responsibility to pass it down to his younger brother, Marlar. Landon looked up as Marlar approached, and he smiled, motioning for him to sit down beside him.

"Do you know the story of this shovel?" Landon asked, holding it out for Marlar to see.

Marlar shook his head, his eyes curious. Landon grinned and began to recount the tale.

"Long ago, before Durucari was even a thought, our family lived on a small island. It was a beautiful place, but there wasn't much room for expansion. One day, our great-great-grandfather had an idea. He wanted to create a bigger island by using dirt and rocks from the sea floor. But how could he do it?"

Landon paused for dramatic effect, and Marlar leaned in, eager to hear more.

"He used this shovel," Landon continued, tapping the handle. "He spent months digging and dredging, hauling up the dirt and rocks and building the island by hand. It was hard work, but he was determined. And finally, after many long months, he had created a new island. Our family was the first to live there, and soon other families followed, until it grew into the great city of Durucari."

Marlar's eyes widened in amazement. "So this shovel helped build our city?" he asked.

Landon nodded. "Yes, and that's why it's so important. It represents our family's hard work and determination, and it reminds us of our roots. It's a symbol of what we can achieve when we set our minds to something."

Marlar nodded, his small hand reaching out to touch the weathered wood of the handle. "I'll take good care of it," he promised.
Landon smiled, passing the shovel to his brother. "I know you will. And one day, when you have children of your own, you can tell them the story of this shovel and our family's legacy.

#### The resourcefulness tale

Marlar sat by the fire, his children gathered around him, their eyes fixed on the old shovel lying beside him. "This shovel has a special story," Marlar said, holding it up for his children to see. "Not only did it help create our city, but one side of it was sharpened to chop wood. It's a reminder of the ingenuity and resourcefulness of our ancestors."

His children leaned in closer, intrigued by the story. "How did they use it to chop wood?" one of them asked.

Marlar smiled, recalling the tales his grandfather had told him. "Our ancestors had to make do with what they had. They didn't have the modern tools we have today. So, they had to get creative. They used this very shovel to chop wood for the fire, sharpening one side of it to make it easier to split the wood. It wasn't the easiest way to do it, but it worked."

His children looked at the old shovel with newfound respect. "It's amazing how resourceful our ancestors were," one of them said.

Marlar nodded, a sense of pride filling him. "That's right. It reminds us that our ancestors were strong and capable, and that we come from a long line of hardworking people. It's important to remember where we come from and the sacrifices our ancestors made so that we could have the lives we have today."

His children nodded, and Marlar placed the shovel back in its rightful place. As he did, he felt a sense of connection to his family's past, and a responsibility to ensure that their legacy continued on through future generations.