Coming of Age for Boys II 2011 Mythic Story

Once upon a time,
once below a time,
once above a time,
once beside a time,
once beneath a time.

In a time that there was no time and yet there was.
A group of nine boys set out on a journey into the wilderness.
They came from many different places, some knew each other and some did not.
In the beginning they learned about teamwork, trust and respect and formed a friendship together.
But, as the journey progressed, their number came to eight when one boy left to follow his own path.

They met a master storyteller.
A man of wisdom, he told them of the importance of listening.
He told stories of great warriors, epic journeys, and insurmountable challenges.
After listening to his stories they feasted on meat and bread.

Then they set out to the wilderness.
They trekked for many days and through many camps to a great peak.
There they saw a powerful beast traveling in the valley below.
In their descent, they enjoyed the snow and explored by the river.
They returned to the road and they traveled to a massive ocean.
They saw proud creatures of the sea and the forest.
They sheltered there before trekking over sand and through the woods.
They were tested in teamwork and trust when they were tasked with carrying an injured comrade's burden in addition to their own.
Luckily they received help from fellow travelers who helped distribute the weight between the boys.

They arrived at a time where they were not boys and not men.
They were no one.
They fasted and meditated on what they were and who they wanted to be.
They washed away their childhood and were welcomed into a new way of life.
They were welcomed back as young men.
They left mentors and started a camp of their own.
At first they argued and quarreled.
But they sorted out their differences and agreed to a pact.

A pact of respect and shared responsibility.
They then returned to the land from which they left to continue their adventures individually.

Written by the Young Men of our Coming of Age for Boys II, 2011.