Once upon a time, High John was working on a plantation for a cruel master who was known for his greed and harsh treatment of his slaves. High John, with his cleverness and the power of his magic root, decided it was time to gain his freedom. He approached Old Master with a proposition: if he could outsmart him three times, he should be granted his freedom. Old Master, confident that no slave could outwit him, agreed.
The first challenge was to fetch water from a well without getting wet. High John fashioned a long reed and used it to suck the water out like a straw, keeping himself completely dry. Old Master was astonished but determined to win.
The second challenge was to move a heavy log without touching it. High John called upon the birds of the forest, and they all came together to lift the log and carry it to the designated spot. Again, Old Master was bewildered by High John’s ingenuity.
For the third challenge, High John proposed a test of speed: he would race Old Master’s prized horse. High John had his magic root, which gave him extraordinary speed and endurance. Despite the horse’s strength, High John crossed the finish line first, leaving Old Master in the dust.
Having fulfilled all three challenges, High John claimed his freedom. Old Master, though begrudgingly, had to honor his word. High John left the plantation, free and with his spirit unbroken, inspiring others to believe in their own power and ingenuity.
Chandra Martin 