Pop Pop and Gunk Gunk

Lee and Helen lived near a small village and were affectionately known by the children as Pop Pop and Gunk Gunk.

Lee was a miller who collected grain and ground it for the townsfolk. Helen baked bread and pastries, which she gave the children as snacks.

The two were known for their kindness and generosity

far and wide. Gunk Gunk often scolded her husband for disregarding the milling cast-off flour, saying, “Lee, we could use that to make rolls for the children or a porage for the cat.”

Pop Pop would shake his head and mumble something about pearls before swine as he returned to his duties.

The two had met years earlier when Helen’s brother Mátyás worked with Lee at the river dock loading flour to ship to the capital.

One day, after an exceedingly hard day, Mátyás invited Lee home for a meal. While it was not love at first sight, Helen and Lee enjoyed each other’s conversation. A short time later, they were married, and family and friends helped Lee rebuild his father’s windmill as a gift.

The couple worked hard to ensure their future would be prosperous for their family. Years passed, and no baby was to come, breaking the couple’s heart.

Helen saved the flour after cleaning the millstone. One day, after seeing a child eat grass because her family lacked food due to failed crops, she decided to use the cast-off flour to help the local children.

Each day, she would use her cast flour to make rolls or muffins, and whenever she saw a child, she offered them a warm treat and one extra just in case they needed it.

In time, Helen and Lee found themselves surrounded by children all day, and their laughter and hugs softened the pain of not having their own.

The blacksmith’s son gave the couple their nicknames. Young Kristian could not say Granny due to an overbite, so he called Helen Gunk Gunk. Lee became Pop Pop. The other child loved the names and would giggle whenever they said them.

Many years later, everyone used the pair’s nicknames, having grown up with them. The couple often referred to themselves as Pop Pop and Gunk Gunk. So if you can visit them, ask for a roll, and I am sure Gunk Gunk will give you one fresh from the oven.