The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post

Annunfuiniel · 10-06-2003, 01:56 AM

Child's post: Mausi

Mausi listened carefully as Andreth hastily outlined her hopes and dreams for the small school that would meet most afternoons in one of the Inn's empty storage rooms. Andreth reached out and cradled the hobbit's hand in her own, "I know this can make a difference. How can folk trust each other when they haven't spent time together? They're just afraid of what they don't know. If the children learn from each other, their parents will see that and begin to understand."

There was no doubt Andreth sincerely believed what she was saying: that it was a simple matter to bring Big and Little Folk together and get them to cooperate. Mausi was not so sure. She'd had too many insults flung in her path and seen the look of hurt on her own children's faces when they met up with a prankster who saw no reason why hobbits weren't fair game.

Still, part of her wanted to believe, to find some way the Big and Little Folk could learn from each other and live as neighbors in peace. Before, that had seemed like a distant dream incapable of realization. Each of the peoples had gone about their own lives ignoring the other as much as they could. But now, with the urgency created by the outlaws and the news of their threatened attack, what had been a dream was fast becoming a necessity. Without cooperation, her own children and Andreth's son could perish in a holocaust not of their making. To put it in stark and uncompromising terms, either the hobbits and the Big Folk could learn to live together or each of them would surely perish on their own.

She looked over at Andreth and, almost against her will, nodded her head in agreement, "Yes, Kali has been asking me to learn to read. I think he might enjoy something like this. And if Ella and Mondy can add and subtract columns of figures, they can teach the hobbit craftsmen and peddlers how to keep track of their money and goods, and make sure not to get cheated. And I will get a few of the other families to send their sons and daughters as well."

With that, Andreth and Mausi shook their hands on the bargain, and the Innkeeper said her goodbyes to the hobbit to go search for Alvinac and discuss the matter further.

[ October 09, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

10-06-2003, 01:56 AM	#30
Annunfuiniel Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Something close like Shire Posts: 769	Child's post: Mausi Mausi listened carefully as Andreth hastily outlined her hopes and dreams for the small school that would meet most afternoons in one of the Inn's empty storage rooms. Andreth reached out and cradled the hobbit's hand in her own, "I know this can make a difference. How can folk trust each other when they haven't spent time together? They're just afraid of what they don't know. If the children learn from each other, their parents will see that and begin to understand." There was no doubt Andreth sincerely believed what she was saying: that it was a simple matter to bring Big and Little Folk together and get them to cooperate. Mausi was not so sure. She'd had too many insults flung in her path and seen the look of hurt on her own children's faces when they met up with a prankster who saw no reason why hobbits weren't fair game. Still, part of her wanted to believe, to find some way the Big and Little Folk could learn from each other and live as neighbors in peace. Before, that had seemed like a distant dream incapable of realization. Each of the peoples had gone about their own lives ignoring the other as much as they could. But now, with the urgency created by the outlaws and the news of their threatened attack, what had been a dream was fast becoming a necessity. Without cooperation, her own children and Andreth's son could perish in a holocaust not of their making. To put it in stark and uncompromising terms, either the hobbits and the Big Folk could learn to live together or each of them would surely perish on their own. She looked over at Andreth and, almost against her will, nodded her head in agreement, "Yes, Kali has been asking me to learn to read. I think he might enjoy something like this. And if Ella and Mondy can add and subtract columns of figures, they can teach the hobbit craftsmen and peddlers how to keep track of their money and goods, and make sure not to get cheated. And I will get a few of the other families to send their sons and daughters as well." With that, Andreth and Mausi shook their hands on the bargain, and the Innkeeper said her goodbyes to the hobbit to go search for Alvinac and discuss the matter further. [ October 09, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ] __________________ Despair is only for those who see the end beyond all doubt.