The Legend of HollowTree begins on an ordinary day, well, ordinary in the sense…

that all things being equal, the day was not at all. While hiking recently at Placerita Canyon, we passed what appeared to be a hollowed out tree stump. AS it turns out, this wasn’t just any tree stump left over from a winters storm, but a trapped soul, in eternal agony. You’re wondering, how could this happen on an ordinary day in a modern city?

Long ago on a stormy cold and rainy night, a lone hiker decided to leave the safety of his toasty home, after having a disagreement with his wife. She wanted to go out dancing, he wanted to read a book after a long day’s work. He left that evening, slamming the door behind him, hoping to impart his angry mood without leaving any doubt. In hindsight, staying at home and working out marital issues would have been a better choice.

Arriving at Placerita, he covered himself with a slightly used raincoat. He had also remembered to bring a large flashlight, as it was the beginning of a moonless evening. For some reason, the flashlight would flicker, even after a tap or two with his hand. It was brand new with new batteries. He vowed to take it back the next day and exchange it. For now, it would have to do

There was a light rain, just beginning and thankfully his hiking boots were waterproof. Just not mud proof as puddles began forming on the trail.

Just then, a flash of lightning illuminated the path ahead. A dark figure, draped in a long flowing coat was standing in the middle of the trail. As he got closer, the figures eyes glowed with an ethereal shimmer of reds and greens. What the heck? He thought. Still getting ever closer the figure pointed a crooked walking stick, dark with burns and small cracks.

“You may not pass, unless you know the password” the figure quietly said. “A clue for you – Guess What?”

What? A password needed on a hike he did everyday? Something was not right.

“Hey mister, this is a public park and trail. Leave me alone”

To which the dark and foreboding figure replied, “Did you not have a disagreement with your wife this eve and slam a door in anger?”

Well, this was getting weirder by the minute – how did the figure know about his evening?

Once again the figure asked for a password. he guessed, thinking how ridiculous this situation was – “abracadabra” he replied hoping this would stop the conversation. Just then, a flash of lightning illuminated the figure fully, he could see right through it! A hollow man. he screamed and ran but was no match for the hollow man. Completely engulfed in blue lightning emanating from his staff, he began turning into a tree stump with hollow eyes and mouth opened in a wordless scream.

The figure said in a whisper, “all he had to say was Chicken Butt”