LOCAL historian Brian Johns of Blakeney wonders if an old tale known as the Legend of the Freeminer is an uncanny glimpse into the future.
And Brian, who tells mining stories illustrated with his own woodcarvings at some of his lectures, is seeking the help of Review readers to try to find where and when the story originated.
"It concerns a small group of iron miners and an old lady who lives alone in a small cottage deep in woodland. Most days the miners see her as they journey home," he said.
"One day they see a hare under a bush and decide it would make a tasty meal. They throw stones at it and it runs away in a wide circle only to return to the same bush.
"The miners rush up but the hare has vanished. Other attempts are made to capture the hare which end with injury – or death – caused to the old lady."
Brian said he was in the middle of creating an oak carving of the tale when he realised it could be interpreted as forecasting the end of freemining in the Forest.
"It's quite a complicated little story and there are several versions of it. I would dearly love to know where it came from," he said.
"I have been using it in my talks for about ten years now, but it wasn't until I sat down and started the carving that I realised it could be something of a prophecy."
Anyone with information can contact Brian on 01594 516050.