A Painting Tells a Humorous Story
Last month the Central Fraser Valley Guild in Abbotsford held a show called REAR VIEW.
A rather interesting art piece came with a most interesting story.
- The story of a man, a boy, a horse and a lesson learned.
If you are familiar with Low German, this will be particularly enjoyable for you.
The story is told in Low German and translated into English -
Foarma Hein Schmedt.
Farmer Henry Schmedt.
Foarma Hein Schmedt haft twee Kjinta
Farmer Henry Schmidt has two children.
Daut Ellste es de Mejal, dee heet Marieche, un es achtieen Joah oolt.
The oldest is a girl and she is called Maria, and is 18 years old.
Daut Tweede es de junge Doft un dee es grod fief Joah old.
The second one is a boy Dave and he has just turned 5 years old.
Nu fählt Schmedt grod toofalig noch een Peat, un eenes Doages well he noh Staudt foahre, eent opp’em Peadmoakjt to kjeepe.
Now Schmidt as it happens, needs a horse, and one day he plans to travel to the city to buy one at the horse market.
He nemmt sien Doft met daut dee uk waut vom peadhaundel leahre kaun.
He takes along his son Dave so that he can learn something about horse trading.
Opp’em Moakjt bekjikt Schmedt sikj doa een schmocket peat.
At the market Schmidt spies a beautiful horse and checks it out.
He bekloppat daut von aule siede, kjikt daut en’e Frät un besitt sikj de Taehne,
He pats it from all sides, and looks into the horse’s mouth and examines the teeth,
häwt jieda Been aun un bekjikt sikj de Feet von unje un von bowe,
he lifts each leg and examines the feet both from underneath and from the top,
bestrichelt de Been un de Schullre un häwt däm Zoagel un bekjikt siku waut doarunja liggt.
He strokes the legs and the shoulders and even lifts up the tail to see what lays underneath.
He nemmt siene goode Tiet doatoo, oba aum Enj woat he sikj eenig, un kjaft daut Peat.
He takes his own good time and finally comes to a decision and buys the horse.
He bingt daut niee Peat hinjer’em Woage aun un dan foahre se auf noh Huus.
He ties the horse behind the wagon and then they travel home.
Opp’em Huuswaig kome se em Vetahle äwa däm Haundel
On the way home it came about that they began to talk about the transaction.
un dan well de Jung weete waurom de Voda daut Peat soo väl bekloppat un bekjikt haud ea he daut jekofft haud.
And then the boy wanted to know why his father had spent so much time patting the horse and looking at it before he bought it.
“Na,” saigt Schmedt to sien Jung,
“Well,” said Schmidt to his son,
“wan ekj mi een Peat kjeepe well, dan mott ekj daut doch dichtig bekjikje un befeehle von unje bat bowe,
“when I want to buy myself a horse, then I must examine it carefully, and feel it with my hands from the bottom to the top,
daut ekj kraikt weet auf aules en Ordnung es un auf et uk jesund es, ea eku doafia jeld utlaije doo.
so that I know exactly that everything is in order and if the horse is healthy, before I lay my money down for it.
De Jung bleef lang stell, oba met’e Tiet kaum et bi ahm doch ‘ruut,
The boy was silent for a long time, but after some time , he came out with
“Weetst uk waut, Pa? Ekj jleew ons Noba Peetasch sien Hauns well onse Marieche kjeepe!”
“Do you know what Dad? I think that our neighbour Peter’s son Hans wants to buy our Maria!”
That was good for a laugh! Carrie ©
Story Telling for the Young at Heart
A Fantasy Adventure You will Never Forget
THE RYDER
by Carrie Wachsmann
CHAPTER ONE
Grandparent’s Farm
With a satisfied sigh, Grandpa Hilton pushed himself away from the dinner table and leaned back against the sturdy old captain’s chair.
“Grandma dear, that was delicious.” he said, wiping the crumbs from his bushy, Fu Manchu mustache. Reaching across from the table, he helped himself to a toothpick and began to clean his teeth in a familiar and distinctive manner.
Dinner had been eaten in awkward silence. Jessica and David had arrived that afternoon and would be spending the following summer months in the Cariboo with their grandparents. Normally, the prospect of spending two months on the ranch would delight them, but this year was different. The previous week their father had left, (“a separation” they called it) and now they were sent to their grandparent’s , “to get away from it all,” as David put it. These unpleasant circumstances had left the children’s enthusiasm for the farm seriously wanting.
Grandma Hilton, a stout little woman, her handsome face softly lined with age, looked questioningly at her husband sitting at the far end of the table. Raising his bushy eyebrows, he responded by shrugging his huge shoulders as if to say, “and what do we do now?” and that’s when Grandma came right out with it.
Jessica looked down at her hands clasped tightly in her lap, and fiercely bit her bottom lip to keep it from trembling. She was determined not to cry. That would only make things worse. David would make fun of her and she couldn’t bear that right now. She snuck a glance at her older brother, slunk deep in his chair, feet thrust under the table, with both hands dug deep in the pockets of his faded blue denims.
Oh, she hated him right then. HE didn’t seem to care at all. He didn’t need mom and dad around any more, at least that was what he had said. After all he was thirteen and she was only just ten. But somehow, she couldn’t quite believe it didn’t matter to him that mom and dad didn’t live together any more.
“I know how difficult your parents’ separation is for you,” Grandma continued, her voice revealing that warmth and earnestness of her heart. “We love your mother and father too and it hurts us to see this happening to the family. Despite what is happening between them, you must remember that they both love you very much.”
Again Jessica fought back the tears that welled up in her big brown eyes. How she wanted to hear those words. If only she could be sure. David’s response was quite another matter. Tossing his dark head back in defiance, he merely mumbled under his breath, a disbelieving, grunting sound. Then he stared past them all, and out the large picture window.
That is when Grandpa Hilton stood up, cleared his throat and said in his most authoritative voice, “It’s time we all clear off the table. Then David and I are going to take a walk down to the stables to have a look at some of the new colts.”
Giving Grandma a reassuring wink, he began to gather up the dirty dishes.
“Now son,” he said encouragingly, placing a firm hand on David’s shoulder, “we’ve all got to pitch in. Only way to get things done around here, remember?”
In a few minutes, the dishes were piled high in the sink and Grandma and David were off to the stables. Jessica stood alone in the kitchen. She had always loved this cheerful room. The evening sun, still bright and warm, beamed thought the spacious windows and danced across the little kitchen. Grandma’s plants seemed to thrive in the cozy atmosphere, and Jessica thought it must be because Grandma always sang while she worked. She had read somewhere that plants like people to talk and sing to them. It was supposed to help them grow, they said.
“Do you really understand it when someone talks to you?” she asked a little ivy that was
Grandma's Kitchen
reaching its way up the side of the sill, as if to get as close to the warm sunshine as possible. “Maybe you can just feel if I like you. I do like plants you know. Goodness, you look rather dry.”
“Yes, Ivy could use a nice glass of warm water Jessica,” Grandmas said as she walked into the kitchen, tying her crisp apron around her ample waist. “Then you can get the tea towel and we’ll work on these dishes.”
Jessica felt a little silly, realizing Grandma had heard her conversation with the plant. She was about to explain that she thought talking to plants was really quite silly, when Grandma said, “Plants like to be around people, you know, listen to them sing and talk. I think they like to be told they’re loved, just like humans.”
Jessica giggled. “I was just thinking about that,” she said. “You must love them a whole lot ‘cause they’re beautiful.
“Oh Grandma, I do love you so,” Jessica said, gratefully throwing her arms around her grandmother’s neck. “And Grandpa too, and the farm. It’s just that I’m so sad sometimes and afraid, and David, he’s being mean.”
“Well sweetheart,” Grandma said putting her hands into the soapy dish water, “that’s all going to change.”
“What makes you say that?” asked Jessica hopefully.
“Oh, it’s just a feeling that I have,” she said smiling. “I guess you could say I know something you
don’t know. I’m certain this summer is going to be very special for the both of you.”
And to be sure, a very special summer began for them that very night.
CHAPTER TWO
The Very Important Book
David and Jessica, curled up in the weathered chesterfield beside the warm crackling fire, were enjoying a hot cup of Grandma’s Chamomile tea, when Jessica, who loved warm fires and stories, piped, “Grandpa, please tell us a store before we go to bed.”
David’s face lit up just a little, for although he thought he was too old for bedtime stories, he couldn’t help but listen to one of Grandpa’s.
Now Grandpa Hilton was a very wise man, even if he was quite old, and he knew just what the children needed. Taking a rusty key from the pocket of his tire, but very comfortable housecoat, he pulled a large, ancient looking book from the top shelf of the bookcase. Carefully he unlocked the golden case.
“Ooooh,” gasped Jessica, her face eager with anticipation. “What a beautiful book!” she exclaimed, reaching out her little hand to caress the shiny cover.
“Why do you keep it looked up, Grandpa?” she questioned.
“Oh don’t ask such stupid questions,” chimed in David, giving his sister one of his ‘know it all’ looks. “I bet it’s a very important book, and you always lock up things that are very important, don’t you know!”
Jessica’s hand dropped to her lap. She screwed up her little freckled nose and stuck her tongue out at David in disdain.
Before it could develop into an argument, Grandpa sat down between the two and said, “Now, now lad, don’t be so hard on your sister. And watch your language. Stupid is not a word we want to use.” He looked into the boy’s handsome face, that so reminded him of himself so many years ago. “Actually, yes, this book is a very special book. You’re right David, and it has been in our family for years. The last time it was opened was when your mother was a child. In fact, it would do her good to open it’s cover for herself right now. Some day this book will be yours, when you’re old enough, and know how to care for it and use it properly. You see children, (and it was at this point that Grandpa got a very curious look in his eyes) the stories in this book are always different.” He went on, his voice barely audible. “It has a mystery about it that even I do not fully understand.”
After a long pause, which really wasn’t very long but just seemed that way, Grandpa said in his clear and normal voice, “I’m not going to say another word. I wouldn’t want to spoil anything for you.” Carefully and with what Jessica thought was reverence, he opened the book.
The first page revealed a fascinating, full page picture of two children standing on a path in the middle of a dark and misty forest. They appeared rather frightened and lost, and it looked like they were wearing their pajamas! Underneath the picture were four lines, which David read aloud.
WHEN LOST IN THE MYSTERIOUS FOREST,
THROUGH ENEMY LAND HE RIDES
CALL FOR HIM AND HE WILL BE,
THE LIGHT WHERE DARKNESS HIDES.
Jessica read the words again and again, puzzling over their meaning. “This story sounds scary,” she said a little apprehensively. “It will turn out all right, won’t it?” she asked, looking up at her Grandfather questioningly.
“Yes, dear one, I’m certain it will,” he said, smiling reassuringly. Only then did they notice the picture on the opposite side. The page itself radiated light; pure, white and glowing. Soft, cotton like clouds, curled themselves gently around the edges of the picture. Then, in the center, a gloriously shining white horse appeared, his full mane, talk and hooves, sparkling like silver. Holding his majestic head high, he was truly a picture of beauty, grace, and elegance. David’s mouth dropped open, his eyes wide with delight. Jessica too stared in awe at the magnificent animal.
“Oh David, have you ever seen anything more beautiful?” she whispered, her voice lost in excitement. And then, the page began to radiate so much brightness that both Jessica and David had to cover their eyes to protect themselves from the glare. In a few seconds however, Jessica’s eyes began to adjust to the light and she could now see the figure of a man astride the horse. Although she was able to gaze upon him for only seconds at a time, she sensed a glory and majesty about him that was indescribable. His face shone with great kindness and love, yet to look on him, caused her to break out in goose bumps from head to toe.
David, try as he might, could not open his eyes. For the blazing light was too much for him. Suddenly the phenomenon disappeared.
Only the scene with the dark forest and the two lost children was left. Before either David or Jessica could react, something very strange (even stranger than what had happened up to now) began to happen. The children, transfixed, stared at the picture, which unobtrusively began to grow larger and larger, or so it seemed, until the darkness surrounded them and they found themselves floating helplessly through the sky.
In desperation, they flung their arms and legs about wildly. Jessica’s face had turned a sickly ashen color, and even David’s face looked ghastly. David grasped wildly at the picture frame which was fast slipping from his reach, but to no avail. And then, after what seemed like a very long time, they landed softly on their behinds, in the middle of a very dark, and misty forest.
Chapter 3
The Mysterious Stranger
The two children sat in shocked silence for a few seconds. Coming to their senses, they looked up from where they had come, only to see a small square of light where Grandpa sat sleeping on the old family couch by the fire.
“David, look! Grandpa! He’s sleeping,” Jessica cried. “Oh why does he have to sleep now? Grandpa, Grandpa, please wake up! Help us! Help us!” Her voice slowly faded along with her fading Grandfather who was now merely an unrecognizable speck in the sky. Then there was only darkness and the forest.
Slowly David stood up, his knees wobbly. “Boy! Some story!” he said, sounding very brave and not at all frightened.
“Oh David,” Jessica moaned, “what are we to do? I’m cold and I’m frightened, and I don’t like to be in the forest, especially at night.”
“Be quiet Jessie!” You’re such a wimp!’ said David sounding very brave indeed.
“But I want to go home, and I want my own bed,” she sobbed.
And then the tears fell down her cheeks in torrents and she thought she would never be able to stop them.
“So you’re going to be a cry baby now too! Some big help you are!” Angrily David turned and started walking briskly down the path before them.
“We’ll never find our way back at this rate,” he said. Then, more to himself than anyone else, he mumbled, “There’s go to be a way out of here.”
Realizing her brother was about to leave her behind, Jessica determinedly wiped her face with the sleeve of the new, blue, frilly pajamas her mother had made for her before leaving for their grandparents’, and scuffled along behind him as quickly as her slipper-clad feet could walk.
It seemed like hours and hours of traveling. Up and down the winding rocky path, until suddenly the forest came to an abrupt end. There, a few feet in front of them, was a clear and sparkling stream. Gratefully, the children slumped into the damp grass beside it.
“You’d think it was my fault we’re in this mess,” Jessica whimpered, rubbing her bruised and tired feet. She had long since taken off her slippers and walked barefoot in order to keep up with David’s grueling pace.
“I think you are absolutely horrid,” she went on angrily.
“Well it is your fault, you know,” David answered with equal contempt. You’re the one who always wants a story.”
“That’s not true,” Jessica said defiantly. “You like to hear Grandpa’s stories just as much as I do.”
“For once David didn’t have anything to say because Jessica was right and they both knew it, and so he changed the subject.
“We’d better think about how to get back home. If only I could recognize where we are.”
“It just occurred to me,” Jessica said, a spark of hope in her voice, “this whole thing is just like the picture in the story. Why, those two kids in the story, that’s us! And we’ve got our pajamas on and everything.”
“That’s it,” David answered. “Why didn’t I notice that before?”
“I think we were just to frightened,” said Jessica.
“I was not,” David said impatiently, “but never mind that. What was it I read? Something about a forest?”
“WHEN LOST IN THE MYSTERIOUS FOREST
THROUGH ENEMY LAND HE RIDES
CALL FOR HIM AND HE WILL BE
THE LIGHT WHERE DARKNESS HIDES
Jessica recited the lines perfectly having memorized them while reading them over and over again.
“Mysterious Forest,” mumbled David. “That could explain why we’re here. It’s some kind of magic!”
“I thought you didn’t believe in magic,” chided Jessica.
“I don’t, David answered, annoyed, “but how else do you explain all this? This is really ridiculous, is all I can say. And who is this guy who rides through enemy land, anyhow?”
“It does say that if we call for him, he’ll give us light,” Jessica said hopefully. “Anything would help.”
For the next minute or tow the children sat quietly, thinking about what Jessica had just said, about the light and calling for help. Then Jessica blurted out, “It couldn’t help to try. I’m going to call.”
“And how do you propose to do that?” David asked. “Where is this HE? You can’t just call into nowhere, dummy!”
“Maybe not,” Jessica went on determinedly. “Anyway, I don’t care what you think. You don’t have any better ideas, do you?”
“Not expecting an answer, and somewhat timidly, Jessica began. “Excuse me, Sir.” Then more boldly she said, “Please, Sir, wherever you are , I need your help.” She stopped, and looking at her brother she began again. “Actually both David and I need your help.” Her voice was strong and loud now. “You see, we’re lost in this Mysterious Forest, and it’s dark here. And if you please, we could sure use the light you promised. And while you’re listening, we’re cold and awfully hungry. And there’s one more thing. Could you also please help us find our way back home?”
She pause for a moment, then ender her request with a sincere, “Thanyouverymuch,” after which the children sat silently, not quite sure what to do next.
Then David blurted out, “This is stupid. I told you it wouldn’t work.”
“Look!” Jessica gasped, ignoring his outburst. “Look, a fire, over there! Isn’t that a fire? It worked! It worked!” She pointed upstream, about three hundred yards.
“It could have been there before,” David murmured, but this time he was unable to hide the look of surprise written across his face.
“Be careful,” David cautioned, holder her back. “This is weird. Just be careful. We’re not supposed to be talking to strangers. You have no idea who might have started that fire.”
Slowly the children crept towards the inviting fire, hiding behind the tall reeds and jagged rocks, hoping they would not be noticed. Soon they could see that someone was indeed sitting near the roaring fire, his back towards them. Then as they got closer, their noses picked up the most delightful smell they had ever smelled.
“Oooh, food,” Jessica sighed, forgetting her need for caution.
David looked at her sharply, roughly covering her mouth with his hand. Then a strange and mysterious voice rang out into the night. For an instant they could not tell if the voice was coming from the person sitting by the fire or from somewhere else. It crisply pierced the air about them, like the sound of tinkling crystal, and yet, also floated softly about their heads, like sweet music.
The next moment there was no doubt that the voice did come from the stranger by the fire, for it seemed to pull them towards him like a magnet.
“David, Jessica, come near the fire and warm yourselves. I’ve been waiting for you, children.”
Stupefied, the children inched their way into the warm glow of the leaping flames, and into the view of the stranger. Their appearance, by now, was very ruffled and mussed: and quite comical indeed. They suddenly became very conscious of their dirty and smudged faces, and torn clothing.
When the stranger looked up at them and smiled, Jessica thought for certain that his smile was really because they looked so foolish, but then she forgot all about that, because when he looked into her eyes she suddenly felt so good and warm all over, that she could only think about how nice it felt. It was like having a warm sun bath on a lazy spring morning. She like him right away and wanted very much to be near him, but then she remembered how awful she must look and became very self-conscious once again.
But how wonderful the stranger looked. His garments were spotless-smashing white, unlike any she had ever seen before. He wore a long white cape over his broad shoulders. Underneath, he wore a simple white robe, a belt wrapped smartly around his waist. The sleeves, casually rolled up to the elbows, showed his dark, muscular arms. The wide pant legs hung loosely to the knees where they disappeared into a pair of study white riding boots.
Although his hair, which fell to his shoulders was also strikingly white, he was not old. His face, tanned and weathered from sun and wind, remained youthful and full of strength.
Jessica, bursting with excitement, (although she had no idea why she was so excited) felt certain she had met him somewhere before, but did not see how that could be possible.
“Won’t you sit down and have dinner with me?” she asked
Jessica was delighted at the suggestion and sat down beside the stranger, as close to him as she dared. David held back. He seemed to be most uncomfortable but he accepted the food offered to him and sat down on the opposite side of the fire.
“How did you know our names?” Jessica asked, smacking her lips, obviously enjoying every bite of what looked and tasted very much like chicken.
“My children, you may not know who I am, but I know you very well,” He answered.
“Then you must be a friend of the family,” Jessica said delightedly, liking him more every minute.
“You could say that, he answered with a smile. “I am here to help you. You did ask for help, did you not?”
Jessica nodded brightly, remembering her request. “Oh David, see it really did work!”
“Humph,” was all David answered, his eyes intent on the bone he was chewing.
“You both must be very tired,” the stranger said, changing the subject. “After you have finished your meal, you must get some rest. Tomorrow will be another big day for you.”
“You both must be very tired,” the stranger said, changing the subject. “After you have finished your meal, you must get some rest. Tomorrow will be another big day for you.”
“Do you see that path leading into the forest just across the stream?” he asked, pointing in the opposite direction from which they had come. “Take that path and it will lead you home. Remember one thing, listen only to the counsel of those who wear a ring of gold on the third finger of their right hand, for they will not deceive you. Beware of anyone else. They are not to be trusted.”
Then he drew two narrow golden bands from his robe and placed one on the third finger of each of their right hands. Jessica was surprised at how perfectly they fit.
“You too must wear them for they will be your passport.” Then turning, he picked up two large blankets lying on the ground in the darkness behind him, and draped them gently around the childrens’ shoulders. “These will keep you warm and dry,” he said. “Now I must be off. But do not be afraid for I am never very far away. Good night Jessica. Good night David.”
He turned and disappeared into the night.
(To be continued)
THE RYDER will be available as an e-book shortly.
