The perspiring woman gathered the children in a circle and stood in the center to explain her contest. “We shall all make the sound of an animal. It can be a bird or a beast, matters not. The best shall take a honeycomb home!”
The prize met with a round of approval and the children began to tease one another. Ingelbert sat anxiously on his haunches, nervously awaiting his chance to whistle like a thrush. Heinrich beamed in anticipation. He knew he could imitate the priest’s donkey well enough to turn the father’s head.
Richard rose first and snorted and grunted, barked and squealed like the maddest swine in all the herd. The circle of children roared their approval and the boy sat down proudly. Edda followed with a well-tuned “hoo-ooo-oot” of an owl. In order then came Anka the ox, Baldwin the wolf, Ludwig the ram, and Ingly, the most excellent fluting thrush.
The group paused after Ingelbert’s impressive performance and, to Emma’s hopeful eye, a seed of respect sprouted. The last to challenge were Marta and Heinrich. Heinrich bowed and let the fair Marta go first—after all, chivalry was the duty of every man. Besides, he knew he would surely win.
Marta came to the center of the ring, nervous and self-conscious. She was a pretty little girl, blonde and fair, even-featured, and void of scabs. Though bright and clever, she oft seemed troubled and fearful. Her eyes betrayed an unhappiness buried deep within. The girl closed her eyes and announced, “I shall crow like a rooster.” With that she lifted back her head and wheezed a most wretched “caw-aw-a-oodle-eww.” At first, the circle was quiet, but a slow titter soon began to ripple round and round, and it quickly grew louder and louder until the whole hovel echoed with belly-shaking howls! At first the poor girl stood helpless and humiliated. She faced her mockers slack-jawed and wide-eyed. Then, able to bear it no longer, she sprinted to a corner in tears.
Heinrich and Ingelbert did not laugh. Ingly walked to the girl’s side and laid a gentle hand atop her shoulder. With a whine she swatted him away, and the good and gentle boy retreated with a kindly nod. Emma quieted the room with a fierce, scolding look and bade Heinrich take his turn.
Heinrich was now troubled. He cast a quick glance at the sobbing girl and drew a deep breath to think about the moment. “I… I shall do a … a duck.”
“What?” cried Richard. “A duck!”
Emma scowled at the laughing children, but Heinrich sighed. He then contorted his face in a most horrid way and began to squeak and honk a painful cacophony of distortion that none could bear! His ridiculous performance drew to him the humiliation that had been so amply heaped on Marta, and the room of children laughed and mocked, jeered and taunted the boy without quarter. All that is, save faithful Richard and also Ingelbert, who quickly understood the purpose of Heinrich’s sacrifice. Heinrich had intended mercy but when his eyes fell on Marta’s mocking sneers, he knew his compassion had been spent on one who knew little of such things—and it hurt.
Emma wiped a tear on her rough sleeve and hugged little Heinrich as she called for the vote. Anka cried out, “We cannot vote for Ingelbert, he is too ugly! I vote for Ludwig.” Most others agreed, though some began to quarrel while Emma closed her eyes and simply wished the day to end. In a few moments, over some loud objections from Baldwin, Ludwig received his prize, and all were fed the promised honey. Then, with nary a thanks, the visitors scampered out of the cottage.
As quiet filled the room once more, an exhausted Emma sat sadly atop a stool and stroked Ingelbert’s quivering face. She smiled at Richard. She had seen him slap Anka hard for the insult and felt a secret satisfaction. She drew a deep breath and paused to look at her young companions’ waiting faces. Nestled at her side was her innocent son and within her reach sat both the stouthearted Richard and the merciful Heinrich. Her joy was quickly restored.
Chapter 6
THE VOW OF THE WORM
So, lads.” Emma smiled. “The others are gone but we’ve still some sunshine left. What say we play?”
For all children such an opportunity is a gift! Unhappiness forgotten, the three boys scampered through the door and dashed across the meadow that bordered the cheerful Laubusbach. They tossed pebbles into the stream, turned rocks over in search of snails and frogs, and soon decided to explore the forest upstream.
“Mutti,” begged Ingelbert. “Can y’come with us in the wood?”
“Of course I can, and thank you for asking!” answered Emma.
So, as the sun arched slowly toward the west, the four began a journey along a deer path on the far side of the Laubusbach. They walked through tall, heavy spruce and smelled the pungent needles that shaded and cooled them. Emma told tales of woodland fairies and sprites, frog kingdoms, and the terror of the wandering knight.