Will-o’

Approximate Grade Level - 4 Duration - 5’ Written - 2013

Uncommissioned

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Will-o’ is a programmatic work designed to tell the story of Will-O-the-Wisp. It represents a weary traveler heading home from a long journey.

His path is long, but he has only a few miles before he reaches his village. As his fatigue grows, he is increasingly tempted to venture off his path and cut through the trees. However, he knows the dangers of Will-O-the Wisp: tempting wanderers off their trails to meet an untimely fate. His desperation grows with the fading light, but he remains vigilante through Will-o’s first apparition. A while later, Will-o’ attempts to catch the wanderer’s eye again. He believes for a moment, almost stepping off the path, but he hesitates at the last moment and resumes his journey.

The night grows old now, and the wanderer begins to smell the cooking fires and breads from his village. He even sees the tavern lights through the trees! No longer is the need for the path, he can simply run to the village through the last few trees. He takes a few quick steps, then vaults off the path. The village lights disappear suddenly, and only darkness remains.