"Hemlock, foxglove, nightshade three - /
Shield me from catastrophe. /
Silent lungs and final weeps. /
Send my monsters back to sleep."
Olden World, c. 1866: Shy Callum, the Seamstress's son, is an easy target for the village bullies. When Callum ac...
Peaceful feathers, mellow breeze, Far from crowds and close to trees — Yes, it's Callum's favourite place, Where the doves all congregate.
Cal has brought a bag of seeds, Mixed with grains of chicken feed — Scraps of barley, wheat and oats, Plus the crumbs from morning toast.
Watch the doves all take their turn — Patient pecking, unconcerned. They all know the Golden Truth — There's no fighting in this group.
See the sparrows venture near — Larger numbers clear their fears. Now the robins come to play. Elf-wrens too decide to stay.
Callum treasures all this ease Here amidst the grass and trees. There's no need to be afraid. Those Bald Boys are far away.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"Little lad, you're here once more! Glad to see you out of doors."
Callum turns to meet the face Of the Tall Man yesterday.
"Well, now, did you hear the news? Those three boys are bald right through, Thanks to magick handiwork! Did you like my just dessert?"
"Yes, I did, sir — thank you so. Now their lesson they will know. They'll obey the Golden Rule. Never will those boys be cruel."
"Never? Oh, I'm doubting that. Once a bad boy, always bad! When their hairs grow back again They will surely not refrain. They will still be on the hunt, Coming after you, the Runt! Boys like them are slow to learn And you mustn't wait your turn. Always stop them while you can. Sleepfulness — now that's the plan."
"Sleep...full...ness?"
"Sleepfulness. Put those Bald Boys all to rest. Slow their hearts and slow their lungs. Once you do, you've truly won."
"So...you want those Bald Boys...dead?
"No, no — that's not what I said. I said sleep! Sleep's the plan. Take them to their Dreaming Land. That is all we want to do. You will triumph when you're through. When they sleep, they'll never harm, Never tease or cause alarm. That is for the greater good — You'll be safer, as you should. Wouldn't you just love to see Helpless children smiling free? No more bruises. No more pains. No more cuts or ruddy stains. When those Bald Boys shut their eyes, You can claim that final prize. How's that sound? Is that a deal? Tell me how you really feel."
"...Will the Sleeping make them hurt? ...I'm not sure of how it works."
"There's no hurting. None at all! When they sleep, they'll simply stall — All their bodies will be numb, Each and every little one. Itches, prickles, tingles, stings — They won't feel a single thing. Sleep is safe, as safe can be. Sleep is how we'll keep the peace."
"Yes...I see... With numbing Sleep, That is how we'll keep the peace."
"Yes, exactly. You agree! We all need serenity — And I know the perfect spell That will make them sleep so well. I can teach you, if you're nice. This time, there will be a price."
"You will teach the spell to me? Oh, why, thank you! What's the fee?"
"One mere payment that is fair — I just need a snip of hair, Just a little lock of yours. One small sample. That is all. That's the sole requirement. Do you give me your consent?"
Callum's mother oft advised Not to buy when costs are high — But a petty piece of hair? That small payment does seem fair.
"My consent I give to you — Let them sleep and let peace through. Sleep will put this place at ease. Tell me what the spell is, please."
"Here's the rhyme to close cruel eyes. Try your best to memorise: Hemlock, foxglove, nightshade three — Shield me from catastrophe. Silent lungs and final weeps. Send my monsters back to sleep."
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
__________
A kind thank you to Ladysausten for your advice on Callum's dialogue with the Tall Man
