Join us at the campfire for tales from around the world, told by storytellers of all backgrounds and creeds. From the heros and heroines of old, let us relearn and rediscover the wisdom of our ancestors. Shhh..the story begins..

In Ancient Japan, there once lived a fierce band of robbers whose hiding place was atop a windswept mountain, almost always covered with grey clouds and battered by severe storms. The robbers dwelt within a large cave where they stored their spoils. Now and again, they would go down the mountain to attack nearby villages. They would murder any poor person they happened upon, steal whatever they could lay hands on and then burn the village to the ground. Wherever the robbers had passed, there would be nothing but smoking ruins, weeping men and women, misery, mournlng, and total desolation.

The Emperor fretted over these actions and had often dispatched his soldiers to attack the mountain, but the robbers always managed to drive off the army. Then, one day, the Emperor sent for old Raiko...one of the last remaining Samurai, and said to him:

"Raiko, you have served me well for very many years. Please do my bidding one last time. Go to the mountain at the head of an army and wipe out these bloodthirsty bandits."

Raiko sighed.

"Your Majesty, if I were young again I would do it alone. Today I am simply too old...far too old...to do that, or to command an army."

"Must I then," inquired the Emperor, "submit to the force of these marauding robbers?"

"No," replied the old Samurai, "I will go up there with six other Samurai like myself."

"But if they are all as old as you, Raiko, how can they help?"

"Have faith in us!" urged the old Samurai.

Within a few days, the seven Samurai had set off on their journey...not with horses, swords, shields and armour, which they could no longer have worn anyway, but dressed as humble pilgrims.

From the mountain summit, the bandits watched the Samurai come closer, and their leader declared:

"Who cares about seven beggars? Let them climb up!"

As the Seven reached the mouth of the cave, Raiko made a humble request:

"Please allow us to come in. It is so very cold out here. There is an icy wind blowing and we, as you can see, are only old men. We will be of no trouble to you."

The leader of the gang scornfully replied:

"Come on in, then, old men. We will allow you to occupy a corner!"

And so, the Seven huddled in a corner while the bandits ate their meal of food stolen from the nearby villages. Now and again, they would threw scraps and leftovers to the old men, saying:

"Here, you may eat this, even though it is far too good for the likes of you!"

A few hours later, Raiko rose to his feet and stated:

"The wind has now dropped and we can continue on our way. To thank you all for your hospitality and generosity, we would like to offer you this liqueur. It is sake, rice wine. Drink to our health with it!"

The robbers needed no second telling. In the blink of an eye, they had emptied the goatskin bottle Raika held out to them...and, in the blink of an eye they all lay dead, for the sake contained a very potent poison.

Thus, did the Seven Samurai, too old to wield a sword, serve their Emperor for the last time.

Novareinna welcomes all tale-travelers to Penumbra, her beautiful site/sight of stories and poetry and design.

A section has been added to Penumbra entitled "Rainbow Bridge," dedicated to the memory of our beloved animal companions. It features various pieces of work, whose words, it is hoped, will bring solace and comfort to those who have lost a dear little furry (or feathered or scaled...etc.) one.

It contains an area known as "BlueBird Bower" where a memorial may be placed by anyone upon request in the name of their departed pet (no species refused).

Just click on "RainBow Bridge" on the home page to access the area described.