Keto the Peacemaker - A Story Never Written: Part 3
- A Story Never Written (Told Through Poetry)
This is a poem telling the story of a blind seer known as Keto and his amazing abilities. If you have never heard of him, read on and be inspired.
Keto the Peacemaker
The land was harsh and barren,
Resources often scarce.
It was survival of the fittest
And the fight to live was fierce.
Two tribes were on the verge of war,
Slim chance to compromise.
Only one man could avert it,
The seer with sightless eyes.
The chieftain of one of the tribes
Was opposed to wasted life,
So seeking to avert the war
He chose his youngest wife.
He mounted her upon a horse
And gave her furs to trade,
Then sent her off to seek the help
Of the legendary sage.
Keto sat beside a fire
In a yurt, he made from skins.
The outside air was arctic cold
But it was warm within.
He sensed the horse approaching
And opened up the door,
Inviting the young woman in.
"You're here about the war."
How could he know? she wondered,
But she confirmed that's why she came,
"My chief has sent me on a quest
To find the one so famed."
Keto replied, "I'm just a man,
No deity or god."
But he agreed to accompany her
And do the best he could.
He made her stay the night and rest
And fed her hearty food,
So in the morning, she'd have strength.
The return journey to resume.
He learnt her name was Lena,
Only 15 years of age,
And he amazed her with his knowledge.
She could tell he was a sage.
They loaded up the horses
With provisions for a week,
Then set-off back to give the chief
The answers he did seek.
On arriving in the village,
The people stared in awe.
Here was the living legend
They'd never seen before.
Keto met with both the chieftains
Of the two opposing clans.
They agreed to sit together
And listen to his plans.
"You need to be nomadic
And move towards the south.
Follow the migrating herds,
There'll be food for every mouth."
"Then as the winter thawing starts
Return from whence you came
And plant these seeds I'm giving you,
Then you'll have summer grain."
"Warfare's not the answer,
No benefit it brings.
Other than the loss of life,
It never solves a thing."
The chiefs accepted this advice
And shelved their plans for war,
And Keto's fame as peacemaker
Soon passed down in folklore.
© 2017 John Hansen
