Folksburywoods Story Blog

“I see you have questions, said a voice.

Startled, Garett looked up right into the face of an ancient little man sitting in his tree.

“Yes, how did you know?” said the young man.

“Your look of bewilderment gave it away. That and you kept repeating the same words as you walked up the lane,” replied the gwelf.

“Who are you that is so wise?” asked the young man.

“Matters not who I am. What matters is that your father wants you to go to sea as he did,” said the gwelf.

Garett stepped back in shock. “Are you some wizard or demon come to trick me out of my soul?” asked the lad.

“Nothing so powerful as that. Ask your questions before day turns to night, and I miss supper,” commanded the man.

The fates have deemed that I meet you. Is there a way I can please my father and not go to sea?” asked Gerett.

The gwelf smiled but said nothing.

“I said, is there a way to please my father?” the lad asked again.

“You asked two questions. You already know the answer to the second. The first is the wrong question.

“Oh, yes, I can please him if I go to sea. Why is the first not correct?” asked Garett.

“Are you asking because you want your father to be happy, or do you want yourself to be satisfied? asked the gwelf.

“Ah, I see your point. I don’t understand why I can’t be happy and make my father happy,” cried the young man.

“No one said you couldn’t,” the gwelf said. Garett looked more confused than ever, so the gwelf continued.

“If you go to sea, you please your father. If you don’t, he will shun you as he did your brother. You need to figure out how you can do both,” said the little man.

“How is it possible to do two things at the same time?” asked the lad.

The little man grinned and laughed out loud.

“Why, Garett, my boy, you finally asked the right question,” said the man.

“I did? Oh, yes, I did,” remarked the lad.

“Take your hidden coins and buy passage to Andover. Tell your father you’ll be shipping out the next day and will see him in a year,” the gwelf said.

“What will I do when I get there?” the lad asked.

“Be the baker you’ve always wanted to be. In a year, sail home with your savings and open a bakery near the harbor,” the man said.

“How can I ever thank you for this wisdom?” Garett asked.

“I would fancy a hard roll once a week when you get back,” replied the man.

“You shall have ten and then some,” cried Garett, who dashed off to buy his ticket.

“I do love a good hard roll,” remarked the gwelf with a wry smile. “I enjoy it almost as much as a good question.”

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