The Land of Forgotten Ages

Introduction

“The Land of Forgotten Ages” is an unfinished story (about 500 words) that delves into the mysterious and prehistoric secrets of Africa. The narrative follows Allister Fournier, a man captivated by an extraordinary piece of ivory depicting a dinosaur-like creature. Along with his companions, Fournier seeks to uncover the truth behind this incredible artifact.

Summary

The story begins with Allister Fournier discussing a peculiar piece of ivory with his friends. Fournier is excited and intrigued by the carving on the ivory, which he believes to be an authentic representation of a dinosaur, specifically a tyrannosaur. He argues that the artist, a native African, could not have created such a detailed depiction without having seen the creature in real life. This assertion piques the interest of his companions, Sloan and the unnamed narrator, as they examine the ivory piece closely.

Fournier explains that he acquired the ivory from a black trader who claimed that the native who carved the image had never seen a white man before. The carving features two figures: an elephant and a monstrous, lizard-like creature that appears to be pursuing the elephant. The depiction is so detailed that Fournier is convinced it is a tyrannosaur, a dinosaur thought to have been extinct since the Jurassic age.

Fournier continues to elaborate on the significance of the discovery, noting that the presence of a tyrannosaur in Africa contradicts established scientific theories about the extinction of dinosaurs. He describes the tyrannosaur as a dominant predator of its time, coexisting with other prehistoric creatures like triceratops and pterodactyls.

To provide context, Fournier unrolls a large map of Africa and traces the route taken by the native who sold him the ivory. The native, named M’taa, was part of a war party that ventured deep into the African interior. They raided a village, capturing a girl who was the daughter of the village’s old chief. When the chief could not rescue his daughter by force, he paid a ransom to M’taa, which included the ivory piece with the carved dinosaur.

The story ends abruptly, leaving the readers with an unresolved mystery about the existence of dinosaurs in the African interior and the potential adventures that await Fournier and his companions as they seek to uncover the truth behind the carving.

Characters

  • Allister Fournier: The main character, driven by curiosity and excitement about the ivory carving depicting a dinosaur. He believes in the authenticity of the depiction and is determined to explore the African interior to uncover the truth.
  • Sloan: A friend of Fournier who is intrigued by the ivory carving but struggles to grasp the scientific implications discussed by Fournier.
  • Unnamed Narrator: A companion of Fournier and Sloan, who provides the perspective for the unfolding events and discussions.
  • M’taa: The native who sold the ivory carving to Fournier. He was part of a war party that captured a village girl and received the ivory as part of a ransom from her father.
  • Old Chief: The father of the captured village girl who paid the ransom, including the ivory piece, to M’taa. He is also the artist who created the carving, depicting what Fournier believes to be a tyrannosaur.

Alternate titles

THE TRAIL OF THE DINOSAUR and THE TRAIL OF THE MAMMOTH.

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