Just wanted to let you know that I did the final edit on this one myself in order to get it out faster. Editing is not my strong suit so I hope you can forgive any mistakes and just enjoy this important story. My boys had plenty of things to say about this story. Some were very profound. I'd love to hear what thoughts you and your kids have regarding this story so feel free to leave a comment.
Happy Tales!
Kristen
Ch. 10
The Bane of Little John
By Kristen S. Sandoz
2013
I think now it is a good time to tell you the story of Little
John. Oh, I know you have already heard
part of his story. He was a bandit who
helped rob from the rich to give to the poor. A seemingly honorable occupation, but a bandit
he was and one does not merely become a bandit, a thief, or a lying beggar overnight. We must always remember that everyone has a
story and some stories are not happy ones.
Some are complicated, hard, rot with pain, and very sad. Such is the case with Little John.
Before I tell you the rest, or rather I should say
the beginning, of his story I need to tell you about one very important little
thing called a Soule Locket. Every child
ever born in the world in which this particular kingdom exists is given a Soule
Locket on the evening of the seven night of life.
This Soule Locket is given them by the Keeper of the Lockets. He is a mysterious and elusive man known for
his wisdom and power. Some would call him a wizard others a warlock but regardless of what you call him he is good. He appears to baby
and, sometimes mother, that magical night of the baby’s life, much like
the fairy in Pinocchio but with less glitter and sparkle. He places a single Soule Locket, engraved and
fashioned by his own hand so that no two lockets are the same, on the neck of
the baby and whispers a blessing which he encloses in the locket. This blessing becomes what is known as Soule
Dust and it is the single most precious element in this mystical world. Most children are taught at an early age to
guard and protect their Soule Lockets. Some never learn their true value therefore lose it or carelessly give it away. Still others are forced to pawn it in order to maintain their own miserable existence.
Then there are those who have them ruthlessly stolen from
them. If the truth be told a Soule
Locket with its contents fully intact is a priceless and highly coveted possession that some would even kill for one.
I hope you have a clear understanding of what a Soule Locket is. Now let’s get back to Little John. He was the youngest child of a beloved and
faithful priest. The priest had three
daughters and another son, named Benjamin, who was the eldest. When Little John was four his older brother was
16. Most people in their village called him
Big Ben for he was a large and strong lad for his age. In fact Little John was called little because
his small boy stature next to Big Ben made for a decided contrast which was hard
to ignore. The two boys, despite their
age and size difference were very close.
Big Ben loved having a brother to look after, wrestle, tease, teach, and
love. Naturally, Little John thought the
world of Big Ben. How could he not? Big Ben was kind, brave, sharp, and strong.
Everything a young boy admires.
That is why it was a total surprise to everyone when an outbreak
of the pocks infected all five children of the priest’s family. All recovered from the illness except Big
Ben. His fever lingered and soon an
infection set in that eventually took his life.
Little John was devastated. How
could a strong lad like Big Ben die and he himself, who was so weak in
comparison, live? The question was too incomprehensible
for Little John and the hole left in his heart was far too great for any answer
to fill. He became a sullen boy, quiet
and brooding never saying much and smiling even less. For two years he wandered the forests around
his home endlessly neither playing nor hunting like he and his brother use to
do. He wandered and did nothing more.
Every effort was made by his parents to help him process his older brother’s
death. But eventually they concluded it
was something he must work out on his own. They let him be and instead
lifted up prayers on his behalf.
When Little John was six a strapping young nobleman in his
year of Quest came seeking a temporary resting place from the priest of this
small village in which he was passing through.
No one expected Little John to even notice. But notice he did and the family thought for
sure this Quester was the answer to their prayers. He was handsome, friendly, and fun. Little John took an instant liking to
him. The Quester gave him rides on his
horse and taught him sword play. They went fishing and played hide-n-seek in
the forest. To Little John it was as if
Big Ben had returned from the dead.
The family was so pleased with Little John’s happiness they
begged the Quester to stay with them for a whole month for they had grown fond
of him as well. He was a great help
around the priests homestead. He chopped
and stacked firewood, hunted game, and escorted Little John’s sisters into the
village where he would often buy them little luxuries such as fragrant soaps or
silk flowers for their hats. He would
never return to the priest’s home without something special for the
Misses. One time he even brought her a
five pound bag of sugar, an expense which far out paid his boarding fees. He seemed to take delight in entertaining,
helping, and giving to everyone. Light
had returned to their dim part of the kingdom.
Then one day the Quester was gone and with him went Little John’s Soule Locket and with the locket went the spirit of Little John once again. It was quite a nasty turn of events. Over the course of his stay the Quester had gained more and more trust from the family. Little John loved and trusted him most of all. The Quester knew this. In fact his single plan for staying with the family at all was to obtain at least one valuable Soule Locket. Originally he thought it would be from one of the sisters. He was very good with the ladies. But when he realized how attached Little John was to him he knew that Little John would be his easiest prey. In the end all he had to do was ask Little John and the locket was his. Having got what he came for he left.
You may have already ascertained that this Quester was none
other than the malignant Duke Monstroke himself in his true year of Quest. Only he was bored with the whole thing and
had already wasted all of his money in his first three months of quest on
drinking too much, showing off for beautiful women, and gambling with men who
were clearly smarter than he. Now in
order to survive he spent his time looking for weak, innocent, people to prey
upon. He would either convince them to
give him some of the dust from their locket or just out right steal it all
together. Although he was handsome and
seemingly kind, his true self was neither of these. He was the most devious wolf in the most
striking sheep’s clothing.
Poor Little John had not a chance. Once Monstroke knew he had the lad’s heart he set his teeth deep and when for his very soul. This he obtained when he left. Little John was happy to give him his Soule Locket but he did not expect him to leave the very next morning without a word of farewell. This was the end for Little John. He was but a shadow after Monstroke. A shadow that somehow managed to live until he turned 10 at which point he ran away from home never to be heard of again. He eventually joined a band of thieves that took their grievances with the wealthy to a new level. They robbed from the rich and gave to the poor and this occupation was a type of revenge for Little John, who by this time was a huge hulk of a man, just like his late brother Big Ben. Every wealthy man he robbed from he imagined was just like Monstroke (which was not at all true) and although it made his heart sing in the moment it did not bring him peace and it never brought back his Locket.
Poor Little John had not a chance. Once Monstroke knew he had the lad’s heart he set his teeth deep and when for his very soul. This he obtained when he left. Little John was happy to give him his Soule Locket but he did not expect him to leave the very next morning without a word of farewell. This was the end for Little John. He was but a shadow after Monstroke. A shadow that somehow managed to live until he turned 10 at which point he ran away from home never to be heard of again. He eventually joined a band of thieves that took their grievances with the wealthy to a new level. They robbed from the rich and gave to the poor and this occupation was a type of revenge for Little John, who by this time was a huge hulk of a man, just like his late brother Big Ben. Every wealthy man he robbed from he imagined was just like Monstroke (which was not at all true) and although it made his heart sing in the moment it did not bring him peace and it never brought back his Locket.
So there you have it a sad sad story! I hope you can sleep tonight without having dreams of revenge on Monstroke yourself. As for me I like to remember the wise words of the gracious Witch Hazel, “It is not revenge that brings peace but a heart of forgiveness and one is much harder than the other.” I also hope you remember to heed the warning she always tells Pearl, "If you are not willing to give your life for it, don't give your Soule for it either."
1…Now my story is done.
2…I love you!
3…Please, kiss me.