Trees

Having travelled far and looked long for his heart’s desire, he was told that he would find it amongst the roots of the four trees that stood on top of the ridge. He dug beneath the first tree and found a hoard of gold. Beneath the second, he found silver. The third tree hid a stolen stash of diamonds for which the legitimate reward was a fortune and which, if the finder chose not to return them to their owners, would have a value beyond counting.

But, beneath the fourth tree, he found his heart’s desire.