The Whistle Pig armchair treasure hunt remains unsolved. The ‘key’ is hidden somewhere in the states, and has been waiting to be found since 2003. Read more on the Whistle Pig hunt in the Top Ten Facts or/and join discussions on the MW Forum.
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For those who have the book it is seen there are 3 little keys scattered within the pages, unlike the others shown at chapter headings. These keys are in the first and last chapters, pages 4, 13, and 78.
I had originally thought maybe the date of April 13, ??78′ (of a year (4/13/78) held a possible clue. Maybe it does. It could be something to follow up on with topics mentioned in the short stories.
But I continued to play around with the numbers. I counted the words in Chapter One- 4, 13, and 78 (counting hand-in-hand as one word)…. and got THE PATH HOME. Although titled The Path (to) Home, written in 1919, the following was a neat find. It was a poem by Edgar Guest.
The introduction of the Whistle Pig notes that investigating a herring may prove just as valuable as locating a key. I feel this is one of those trails. Something that most likely is not intended, but yet not regretted.
The poem found…. Treasured words.
The Path to Home
The little path that leads to home,
That is the road for me,
I know no finer path to roam,
With finer sights to see.
With thoroughfares the world is lined
That lead to wonders new,
But he who treads them leaves behind
The tender things and true.
Oh, north and south and east and west
The crowded roadways go,
And sweating brow and weary breast
Are all they seem to know.
And mad for pleasure some are bent,
And some are seeking fame,
And some are sick with discontent,
And some are bruised and lame.
Across the world the gleaming steel
Holds out its lure for men,
But no one finds his comfort real
Till he comes home again.
And charted lanes now line the sea
For weary hearts to roam,
But, Oh, the finest path to me
Is that which leads to home.
‘Tis there I come to laughing eyes
And find a welcome true;
‘Tis there all care behind me lies
And joy is ever new.
And, Oh, when every day is done
Upon that little street,
A pair of rosy youngsters run
To me with flying feet.
The world with myriad paths is lined
But one alone for me,
One little road where I may find
The charms I want to see.
Though thoroughfares majestic call
The multitude to roam,
I would not leave, to know them all,
The path that leads to home.
Edgar Albert Guest
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