The People of Gulf Island

For thousands of years the people of Gulf Island lived in perfect harmony with the wildlife on the island. One of the most commonly seen animals was a very large lizard known as the Lumen Dragon. The dragon was mainly active at night but also in the early morning hours. It was rumored that in the path they walked, great fortune would follow. This was specifically true when it came to the main source of food for the people. Oddly enough, this was dragon fruit.

It was believed that the fruit was a gift from the dragon. As they walked, sometimes the scales would fall off their back. When the sun light hits the scales on the ground, a dragon fruit tree would grow. The people would then reward the dragons with a supply of their favorite food, the egg of the Longissimi bird. These eggs were not shaped like the eggs of other birds. They were perfectly round, they had a very tough shell, and had divots all around it.

The Longissimi birds would build their nest high in the Redwood trees. That’s how it got its name; Longissimi means tallest for tallest tree. This made it very difficult for the dragons to reach. Often, they would fall from the tree injuring or even killing themselves. To reach the nest, the people hammered steps into the trees. Every 50 feet or so, they built a ledge where they could stop and rest. It was easy for the people to climb these steps, but the dragon’s feet would slip right off of them. Thus, they were grateful to receive the eggs from the people.

The birds did not mind losing a few eggs since they would enjoy eating the dragon fruit also. The skin of the fruit often became part of their nest. The dried seeds of one fruit would last the birds an entire season. The juice of the fruit was better than water to them. Despite their love of the fruit, they did not want to make it easy for the people nor the dragons to get to them. The closer they got to the top, the birds would place a slippery substance on the steps made with a mixture dragon fruit juice and their own saliva. The people would need to use extreme caution when obtaining the eggs. This is how it was for several millennia. All was happy because all would benefit. Then something changed over the course of just one night.

One thing that was always said; “If you want to know the weather, just watch the birds.” Before the storm hit the island, every bird on the island took shelter. Even the Longissimi birds, who normally would feel safe and secure at their perch on top of the world, hid in holes in the trees, abandoning their eggs. This put fear in the hearts of the people of Gulf Island. Everyone on the island began to take shelter in what they called The Profundus. This was a deep hole dug in the center of the island, at the point furthest from the water. It was big enough to hold everyone and contained enough supplies to feed everyone for 1 month. But they wouldn’t need that. They only stayed in for 2 days. When they came up, much to their shock and surprise, every dragon fruit tree, and every Longissimi bird were gone.

In fear that they would starve to death, the people turned to a new source of food, the dragons themselves. This caused the dragons to flee to their homes. They lived in 18 small holes on the other side of the island. It was almost impossible for humans to get to these holes. They would have to cross the sands. The sands were the home of a hideous beast. While they did not seem to bother the dragons, any human that would try to cross them would be eating.

The people started to throw what remaining eggs they had to lure the dragons out, but they couldn’t throw far enough. So, they would toss one in the air and hit it with a stick. While this worked for some, others found it better to place them on the ground and hit them. Eventually, they used a small twig to prop the egg up before hitting it. This worked until they ran out of eggs.

As they tried hard to find other sources of food, they were forced to ration the food in the Profundus. This was able to last them until the end of the storm season. At that point, joy filled the hearts of all on the island as they saw all the birds return. Once again, they were able to provide the dragons with eggs without needing to eat them. The dragons, in turn, were able to provide them with fruit. The birds were able to enjoy the seeds.

Even more happiness was derived from the new game they created in their desperation. They would take the eggs and try to hit one in each hole with as few tries as possible. Avoiding the sand became a big part of the game. They called it simply, The Gulf Island Game. Others learned about the game and wanted to play it on their own islands. It quickly started to spread to one island after another.

Over the years the game changed slightly. The egg was replaced with small balls that looked like the eggs. They made different shaped sticks and called them clubs. Each style of club was used for a different purpose. Soon the entire world was playing the game. Tournaments were held. Groups were formed. The people of Gulf Island wanted to make sure that they got recognition for creating the game. Thus, the People of Gulf Association or PGA for short, was born.

As time went on and climates changed, Gulf Island sank under the sea. Today, nobody even knows the story of Gulf Island. Nobody even knows that it ever existed, let alone its location. The spelling of its game, its Gulf Islands contribution to the world, was changed to Golf. The Association they created was picked up by others. Its name changed to honor new people what those who created it were erased from the pages of time.

Legend has it that some of its inhabitants escaped. They may be walking amongst us right now. They may be the ones that leaked this very story.