Member-only story
Gold Diggers
Strong, Brave, and Patient
I spotted them from far away as I pedaled toward them on my bicycle — a sight hard to miss. Fifteen large, solidly built men stood there in full gear, looking as if they were about to wrestle the earth itself into submission. Each had a shovel sticking proudly out of his backpack, and they all wore wellies and hats, like a very determined, slightly muddy army.
And then there was number sixteen.
A teenage boy. Not particularly impressed by anything. He was busy complaining — loudly — about how many bars of gold he planned to carry home, as if the only real challenge of the day would be fitting them all into his pockets.
I have to admit, they looked rather taken aback when I rolled up, hopped off my bicycle, greeted them cheerfully, asked them to form a circle, and introduced myself as their guide for the day.
“I should probably warn you,” I said, once they had reluctantly formed something resembling a circle, “I’m an archaeologist. I’m used to digging — but today will be less about strength and power… and more about patience and endurance.”
Fifteen pairs of broad shoulders shifted slightly, as if that hadn’t been part of the plan.
The teenager groaned. “Patience? Is that, like, before or after we carry the gold home?”
