Oaf in Ophir

By Daniel G Linsteadt

A highlight of every summer for Emory and his little sister, Faye, was their special annual visit to their grandmother. At Babas house, the kids played by the streams, ate blackberries, watched deer, and ran through the woods to their hearts desire. This summer, Emory was particularly intrigued by the rumor of a magical Oaf living near Baba after discovering his dads Ophir newspaper clippings.

Emory was alert as he explored the streams and wandered through the woods. A flash of light up the hillside began the magical summer he hoped for. A voice floating through the air, the sound of wood twisting in the trees, and a glimpse of a ragged piece of cloth were the first hints of the Oaf. Baba was delighted by Emorys adventures and urged him to offer a sandwich along with a note to the mysterious being who was revealing itself to Emory.

The Oaf revealed his magic with nature after Emory was mysteriously protected from a mountain lion attack. Baba finally shared her encounters with the irresistible Oaf and his ways in the woods. Tantalizing encounters ensued when Faye arrived and the Oaf slowly befriended the children. The Oaf helped them discover their own personal relationship with nature and their own innate gifts of magic with the plants, trees, and wildlife.

The elusive Oaf sparks the imagination, leaving the reader wishing for more! Captivating from beginning to end, Linsteadt weaves an enchanting lyrical tale of a familys search for innocence and wisdom through their connection to nature.
Paula Peach, Teacher/Artist/Musician
Eric Peach, Author/Teacher

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: Jul 27, 2016
• ISBN: 9781504362009

Book preview

Copyright © 2016 Daniel G Linsteadt.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Interior Graphics/Art Credit: Stephen M Linsteadt

Book Cover Artwork credit: Lyda Linsteadt

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional right, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

ISBN: 978-1-5043-6198-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5043-6199-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5043-6200-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016911215

Balboa Press rev. date: 02/08/2016

Contents

Chapter 1 Was That Him?

Chapter 2 Leave A Note?

Chapter 3 Lunch Bag

Chapter 4 Tree Knots

Chapter 5 Beaver

Chapter 6 Close Call

Chapter 7 Good-Bye

Chapter 8 Faye

Chapter 9 Moving Knot

Chapter 10 Leaf Boats

Chapter 11 Garbage Can

Chapter 12 Bees

Chapter 13 Searching

Chapter 14 Magic

I dedicate this book to my inquisitive grandchildren, beautiful children, loving wife, and supportive parents.

CHAPTER 1

WAS THAT HIM?

T he sky was powder blue above the hillside of granite outcrops, golden grass, and pine and oak trees whose contorted branches mingled under the high yellow sun. Emory’s bare legs tingled in the cool water that flowed in braids through a smooth groove carved into a large white-and-black speckled slab. Mountain blue jays flitted from tree to grass with an occasional raucous shout when a neighboring jay got too close. He glanced to his right at a couple of kids, maybe going into fourth grade and about his age. He wanted to play with them as they screeched with delight while splashing in the shallow pool fed by a gurgling waterfall. Parents looked on with lazy eyes from the small strip of beach where coarse sand accumulated from the hillside. The steep ascent to the main trail above continued onward to a hidden waterfall. The falls, spilling for over thirty feet, had long been a stunning attraction for weekend hikers and tourists who learned of its location from the Ophir locals. A recently built wooden deck reached out over the rocks, where the waterfall’s spray created a rainbow. The rushing water flowed into the larger stream just below where Emory rested. Feeling flushed from the sun and with hunger growling in his belly, he sat up, remembering when Grandma would relax next to him on this very rock. I need to get home soon so she doesn’t worry, he reminded himself.

A flash of light and sudden movement up the hillside caught his eye. Trying not to blink, he saw a flutter behind a large oak he didn’t remember being there before. Is that you? he asked, squinting.

The newspaper clippings his parents kept in a scrapbook back home, about an oaf living in Ophir, made him wonder. The many articles told of a magical oaf who was the cause of both concern and mystery for the locals. They described the good deeds that mysteriously occurred after sightings of this supposed homeless man, referred to as the Oaf. His picture had never been captured, but witnesses all said he appeared to be a bumbling man, who was also nimble while prowling their property near the streams.

Emory pulled his legs up into a crouch, ready to spring. Tilting