The Salt Witch

Nobody can say for sure if the Salt Witch is inherently evil, or simply misunderstood.  There is little known about her, and only one man has ever confirmed her existence. With little to go off other than one ancient legend, I suppose that her fate lies in our hands—or, better yet, our perception of the events that took place one night on the Nebraska Plains.  Before you decide if the Salt Witch is here to help or harm, let’s get reacquainted with her story.

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Many moons ago, when the earth was lush, and the seas were wild, life on our home planet was strikingly different from how it is today.  Between the turbulent coastlines were mountainous peaks, great valleys, and forests so thick that once inside, they blocked out the sun.  Over time, the feral lands were claimed and colonized for profit, but not yet. This was still an age when humans lived in harmony with nature. The animals, plants, and spirits that roamed the earth all had lessons to share.  Humans were eager to listen.  But, as life teaches us time and time again, nobody is immune to fate—and thus, tragedy.               According to legend, there was once a Native tribe living on the wild Nebraska Plains.   Their chief was a decorated warrior, but his surly behavior and violent temper outweighed his virtues. Although his tribe respected him as a great protector, his volatile mood swings were unsettling. There was only one person who had mastered the ability to tame the chief—his beautiful wife.  The chief loved his bride more than life itself, so when she died unexpectedly, his spirit shattered.  Unable to deal with the pain, he retreated into his tent for weeks (some say months) and refused all visitors. The chief was inconsolable, lost in a world of misery and sorrow. The elders knew that he was suffering from a broken heart that threatened to take his life.

The tribe tried to support their grieving leader, but as time wore on, the murmurs began. Should they elect a new chief? Would he ever again lead them into battle? Eventually, the whispers floated into the chief’s tent.  One day, shortly after these conversations started, he emerged from his lodge. Without saying a word to anyone, he set out across the great Nebraska Plains.  Nobody knew whether he would return. But, out of respect, they waited.  When he reappeared a month later, he was tired and dirty. But, like any warrior of merit, he didn’t show up empty-handed. Clutched in one hand was a fistful of scalps that he carried as evidence of his hunting prowess. In his other hand was a small lump of salt. When asked where he found this valuable new spice, the chief relayed a story about his battle with the great Salt Witch.

The chief claimed that one night, just as he was on the verge of sleep, he heard two women screaming in the distance. Instinctively, he ran towards the noise. There, in the middle of the barren plain, was a crone brandishing a tomahawk and towering over a young woman. The maiden screamed as the witch weaved a hand through her hair, making it impossible to escape.  The chief stood frozen in place as he watched this scene play out. But just as the older woman was about to swing her tomahawk, she shifted ever so slightly, and the chief caught a glimpse of the young woman’s face.  It was his beloved bride.  At that very instant, whatever spell that was holding him in place broke. The chief swung his ax and hit the witch directly atop her head. With his free hand, he reached for his wife, but only caught air. He was too late. The earth opened up and swallowed both women. All that was left was a pile of salt. From that day onward, the chief regained his reputation as a powerful leader. But after his experience with the Salt Witch, his heart was softer. His tribe, and anyone else who visited the salt plains of Nebraska, would know to beat the ground with their clubs to ward off evil. The rhythmic drumming of clubs served as a warning to the Salt Witch to never again step foot upon this earth, lest the chief finish what he started.

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The legend ends here, but the story of the Salt Witch lives on.  So, was she wicked? Maybe.  At the very least, it’s easy to see why she has a bad reputation. After all, she was about to murder the chief’s wife.  But in this case, you can’t murder somebody who’s already dead. Plus, the appearance of the Salt Witch seems to have benefitted the chief more than it hindered him. Not only did he discover a new spice, regain his role as leader of the tribe, but the Salt Witch also provided the chief with a precious gift. By reminding him that there is always

something worth fighting for, the witch was able to restore the fragile heart of a man teetering on the verge of destruction.