"Patrick Welch - Rock of Wages" - читать интересную книгу автора (Welch Patrick)

"Shoes? I see not..."
"Not just shoes, good sir. These are special shoes. These spikes," I pointed them out, "will
enable you to get purchase on this rocky soil. Here, try them."

He accepted them reluctantly. Of course they fit perfectly. He resumed his position behind
the boulder and began to push. Almost immediately he noticed the effect; instead of slipping
constantly on the loose gravel, the shoes allowed him to dig in and use both his mighty arms
and legs to advance the rock. It appeared almost effortless; the boulder began to roll
smoothly up the incline. Even though the hill was steep and expansive, I estimated he would
achieve his goal before sunset.

"Tell me, my huge friend; what will you do when you get to the top?"
He paused and leaned against the boulder, which moved not a whit. "I know not. I never
thought I would succeed before."

I pointed towards the road just beyond. "If you leave it up there, it could eventually dislodge
and roll back down this hill. That would pose a danger to any innocent wayfarers. I suggest
you let it roll down the other side. There is nothing there." Nothing save the village of
Imogen .

"Most sound advice, good stranger. I thank you greatly for your assistance and I will do as
you suggest!"

As I rode away I saw that my friendly giant was continuing his excellent progress up the hill. I
would have stayed to admire his efforts but I had additional business in Imogen.

The village greeted me no more warmly upon my return than during my first visit. The town
constable approached me before I even had time to disembark. "We told you to leave. You
and your kind are not welcome here."
"But I have most important and distressing news!" I forced fear and desperation into my
voice. "I was leaving, just as you requested. But on my way I met a mountain of a man
pushing an equally large boulder up yon precipice," I pointed to the east, where the steep hill
was easily seen. "I fear what may happen when he reaches the crest."

The official laughed. "That fool will never succeed! He has been struggling thus for ages.
Easier he grasp a handful of sunlight than push that boulder to the top."

"That may not be accurate. When I left, he was making remarkable progress."
The man snorted. A few curious townspeople had gathered nearby to listen. I addressed
them. "Dear innocent dwellers of Imogen, I implore you to heed me! I fear greatly that your
lovely village may be in danger!"

"And why is that?" several voices asked at once.

"The giant told me that once he reached the top, he would push the boulder down the other
side of yon hill. As you can see," I pointed, "this lane leads straight to it. That boulder will roll
right into, and destroy, your village."
"Nonsense," the constable snorted. "This man is speaking lies. Good people, we have
nothing to fear."