Well, I have never wanted to tell this story because I am sure it will never be believed.
But I am here to tell you that what you are about to read is absolutely true.
It is not a long story but most good stories just happen and they happen very quickly. If you are unlucky enough to witness such a story you will convince yourself that it wasn't true.
This story is true and you are the first people I have ever told it to.
I was camping by myself in the Utah Canyon Country between Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon. My fire was small and I was sitting close so I could use the flames of the fire to see the book I was reading. I had hiked 15 miles that day so it wasn't surprising that I nodded off. I am not sure how long I dozed but when I woke up there was an old Indian sitting across the fire. I jumped in surprise.
"Do not be afraid." he said. His voice was deep and powerful. His tone calmed me and I immediately felt at ease.
I wasn't scared but I couldn't find words to say. I just stared at him across the fire and the longer I looked at him the more he appeared not to be real. I shook my head and blinked but he didn't disappear. I finally found my voice but all I could think of to say was, "Who are you?"
He said, "I am your great grandfather. I am here to warn you that you are in danger."
"What danger?" I asked.
"Those clouds, over there above the mountain, are dropping a lot of rain. Very soon a wall of water will come. You must move."
Then he just faded into the night. I cannot honestly say whether he walked away or faded a way. I was watching the clouds over the mountain and remembering the warnings I had received from my father about flash floods.
I didn't even take time to put out the fire. I grabbed my things and headed for higher ground. As I took off I could hear the roar of the water and I began to run. I reached the higher ground just as the water roared by.
A spirit? My great grandfather? True? Maybe...Maybe not, but the flash flood happened and something or someone woke me up and told me to run.
