He was a simple man, a searcher, digging deep underground in the hidden places. His pick struck this and that, ore of every kind, even gold, but he was looking for something more valuable. He wasn't cautious like his archaeologist friends. He knew instictively that what he was looking for was not fragile. He didn't care what worthless riches he had to break through to get to it. There was no need to gently brush aside dust and dirt. He grabbed with his hands, his heart, his entire being, and flung pieces of the cave this way and that. He had no time to waste.
"Mister," the guide called out in the darkness.
"Please slow down!"
But he could not. They were so close.
He pulled at the earth again and again, moving it with only his will when all of his strength was gone. He howled. He screamed. The team behind him was certain he'd lost his mind. They were preparing to pull him out, hoping he didn't bring the passageway down on top of them first.
But, suddenly, a light appeared.
"I found it," he said, his voice quiet and steady. He had struck one final stone and the darkness gave way to a thin line of bright light. It filled the tunnel and it filled the searchers. They had found it.
