Max likes to take things easy—sometimes, he takes things too easy, which explains why he’s hiding in an old grotto.
Maximilia Aquaticus was the seventh son of a seventh son, which meant he blessed folks. “I didn’t ask for this fortune to befall me,” Max would tell those who sought him out.
The problem with the blessing is that everybody wanted a piece of you.
Max had no problem offering his service but wanted something in return. “I want my fair share, that’s all,” Max would say.
Money was out of the question. Being unclean would ruin the blessing, so Max had to be creative in the fees he charged.
“Mrs. Humbleton, you wanted me to bless your cabbage patch. In return, I’ll need four heads of cabbage when you harvest,” Max said.
Folk understood a man had to make a living, and the fees were reasonable. Max didn’t like the bartering, but what else could he do?
One day, Max had an idea. “I’ll horse trade for what I want. Shiny gold,” Max said.
So, when blessing time came around, Max found out what everyone needed. He then started trading until he got something to sell for his gold.
Things went well until he forgot who was getting what and swapped items he didn’t have with the goldsmith.
“I’m sure I had a cedar chest from Mr. McCarthy yesterday,” said Max when the goldsmith demanded payment.
That’s when the cat got out of the bag. Folks discovered the seventh son of a seventh son was receiving monetary payment.
Since then, Max has decided to lay low until things cool off. Later, he will go home, pack his bags, and slip out of town.
“Who knew trading moonshine for a cedar chest would get Mr. McCarthy in the doghouse? His wife repossessed the chest, and I’m out my moonshine,” said the frog.
Max figured he would set up shop in the valley over yonder. “I’ll get me a fresh start and keep my ducks in a row this time,” Max said.
That’s what he did. As far as I know, he’s still there blessing folks as the seventh son of a seventh son.
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