This Naked Wednesday everyone was given a series of tasks to complete in order to please the gods. Each person had to find a list of items such as strawberries, passion fruit, poison seeds, and even a person exploring the jungle who had never been to the camp before.
There was a lot of running around, plenty of confusion, and a great deal of laughter when the explorers arrived, whether they came willingly or were brought in by others.
It was a fun exercise, and I am sure the shaman will have us do it again.
raises her staff, feathers rattling, voice echoing through the trees:
“People of the jungle, listen well! Today you face the Seven Trials of Tupâ, a test of courage, cunning, and wild spirit. To succeed, you must return with all seven sacred items, each a trial in itself. Only then will the jungle know you are worthy!”
The Seven Trials
- Chicken – The Trial of the Hunt…. Catch a chicken . A test of speed, focus, courage. The jungle laughs at those who stumble!
- Toucan – The Trial of the Sky Hunt……Clever, loud, mischievous. Catch a toucan and show your patience, skill, and stealth. The jungle spirits giggle at your cleverness.
- Poison Seed – The Trial of Cunning…….Only a sharp eye can find the dangerous seeds. This tests your wisdom and knowledge of the jungle. One wrong move, and the spirits of the seeds will sting!
- Pearl – The Trial of Water Wisdom……Hidden in shells, guarded by river spirits. A pearl proves your patience, luck, and respect for the waters.
- Passion Fruit – The Trial of Sweetness…..Find a passion fruit — a test of fruit-gathering skill and care.
- Strawberry – The Trial of Delicate Hands…….Small, shy, and easily crushed. Bring a strawberry to prove your gentleness and careful touch.
- Tourist – The Trial of Tongue, Charm, and Force….And now… the most chaotic of all: the tourist. Bring me a stranger, not a friend, not a tribe mate, not a local, but a true explorer from the outside world…..Try first with words, charm, or trickery….If diplomacy fails… do not hesitate. Drag them, chase them, wrestle them, or use the sacred vine-leash. Knock them down if you must. The jungle does not frown upon determination!
When you return, you must tell the full story: how you found them, what words you used, how they resisted, and how you finally brought them here …
laughs, curses, and all!opens arms “Run with speed! Hunt with skill! Collect with care! Charm, trick, or drag your tourist!
slams the staff into the earth: “Bring me all seven items and prove your worth in the jungle! The spirits watch, the birds chatter, and I, Whispering Wind, will see who is clever, brave, and wild enough!”
“On the breath of Tupi… GO! Gather the jungle itself!”
