The Treasure

by Jesse Eric Whitehead

After two hours of digging in the blistering tropical sun, my shovel hit something hard and shuddered with a dull thunk. I carefully removed dirt, gradually revealing an ancient-looking wooden chest, fastened with a large rusted lock. After years of searching, I have finally found Captain Kidd’s lost treasure!  

I tugged at the lock, but it didn’t budge. A couple of hits with the sledgehammer cracked it open. My heart raced, and my fingers trembled as I lifted the creaking lid.

I gasped at the sight. There were no gold coins. No jewelry. No gemstones, diamonds, or rubies. It was empty, save for a highly polished piece of metal lying on top of the sand that half-filled the trunk. A mirror of sorts, reflecting my image back at me. 

There was also a small wooden slab with some words burned into the weathered grain. It said: 

“The treasure is you.”