Meet Me By The Waterfall

The library seemed like a good place to start my research for buried treasure locations. Earlier that day I'd excitedly unpacked and assembled my new metal detector and was keen to get started. I've officially declared myself a 'detectorist' - a fancy word, but it gives me some gravitas I feel.

Now I was steeped in research in the hushed surroundings of the local library. The history books piled in front of me being eagerly thumbed through for location clues. But there was one particular dusty tome that caught my attention.

Between pages, just near the end, a loose note beautifully written in copperplate script. It read: Meet me by the waterfall. There you will find Earth's hidden treasure. A sketchy map reference led me to the location.

At the waterfall I surveyed my surroundings. It was a secluded location, nobody else was there. With my metal detector unpacked I began my search, carefully scanning the earth in a grid pattern, so I wouldn't miss anything. But nothing. Not a sound from my new detector. I checked it was working as it should. Now I became obsessed with the search and continued into the night. The note must mean something. I slept in my car and started again in the morning, covering ground I'd covered the day before, just in case I'd missed something.

By the end of the second day I was a dishevelled wreck. A broken soul, sobbing, tired and hungry. I'd found nothing of any value. Then I became aware of a cloaked figure standing over me.

"You found my note in the library book then?"

"Yes, but there is no treasure here - I've searched everywhere."

"Turn around, it's right behind you."

"What? Where?"

"Look at the waterfall, my friend. Water! Water! The most precious earthly treasure is there, right in front of you now. Something you take for granted every day. You cannot survive without it. Be grateful for it's abundance here on this Earth, it's worth more than any buried treasure you will find."