ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Pilgrim's staff

Okay, so imagine you're going on a really long trip to visit a special place. Maybe it's a place where important religious events happened, or where your family used to live a long time ago. You want to make sure you stay safe on your journey, but you also want to remember this special trip forever.

That's where a pilgrim's staff comes in! A pilgrim's staff is like a big walking stick that pilgrims (people going on special religious trips) use. It helps them walk on rough ground or up hills, and it's a handy tool in case they come across any wild animals.

But it's also something more than just a walking stick. Many pilgrims decorate their staffs with special symbols or pictures that remind them of their faith or their journey. For example, they might carve a cross or a star into the wood, or attach a small bag filled with flowers or herbs that are important to their religion.

When they reach their destination, some pilgrims might even leave their staff behind as a symbol that they've completed their journey. Other people might take their staff home with them as a treasured reminder of their pilgrimage.

So that's what a pilgrim's staff is! It's a tool and a symbol all rolled into one, and it helps people make special journeys that they will remember for years to come.
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