Life Springs Eternal (standard:science fiction, 942 words)
Author: pjlawton	Added: Nov 22 2003	Views/Reads: 3456/2263	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
What if there really was a fountain of youth? A young traveler is about to find out.

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

the cave be altered the spring would disappear; no spring no eternal 
life.” 

“How am I to do that?” 

“That young man is the challenge. The price you pay for immortality.” 

“Well, just how old are you,” the young man asked? 

“I am 820 years old!” 

Just then they reached the cave entrance and the old man entered,
motioning for the young man to follow. It was 11:59 A.M. 

At exactly noon, the rock opened and clear cool water started to flow.
The old man indicated that the young man should drink. Using both hands 
the young man took the water and drank deeply. Repeatedly he reached in 
and drank for the water was like nothing he had ever tasted. Suddenly 
the water stopped flowing. The cave was completely dry. 

Looking about he realized that he old man had not drunk from the spring.


“Why didn't you drink” You said that if you didn't drink then you would
die.” 

“Yes, that is correct. Sixteen times I have tasted the springs of life.
You will find over the slow passage of time that immortality comes with 
a price. There are just so many lifetimes you can share. After awhile 
the very life you have becomes a burden. It is time for me to move on. 
That's why I waited for you today. You see I knew you or someone like 
you would come by. That's the way it has always been, every 50 years.  
It is time for me to go. Remember, 50 years from today exactly at noon. 
Goodbye my young friend.” 

Abruptly, the old man changed right before the young mans eyes. He
became dimmer and dimmer and in an instant faded into nothingness and 
was gone! 

It was April 1st, 2550. The young man was slowly driving his hover cart
down the country lane. Up ahead he saw an old man sitting by the 
hedgerow fence. 

End 


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