Part 10 In which a golem falls in love with fairy tales

Players:

Marlot
A witch who is more than happy to teach her overly curious golem

Golem
A creature who wants a name, and loves fairy tales


The Golem sat at the table peeling potatoes for dinner.

“Marlot, what are all of those things on the shelf, I see you looking at them a lot.”

The witch looked over at the bookshelves, “They are books dear, I used one to make you.”

“What’s a deer?”

“It’s a nick name.”

He sighed then looked back at Marlot, “What is a nick name?”

“I’m sorry golem, I should really explain more to you. A nick name is something you call someone other than their given name. A name is what other people call someone, like my name is Marlot, the cat’s name is Jinx, and Lilly’s name is…well…Lilly.”

“Is my name golem?”

“No, that is just what you are, you don’t have a name.”

“Because I’m not a person.” He looked so sad, like a puppy lost out in the rain.

“You are a person, a very special person, I just haven’t given you a name yet.”

“Other people give you names?”

“Usually parents give their children names before they can talk, but I guess in your case you can choose your own name if you want.”

“How do parents choose names?”

“They are usually something they hear somewhere, like in a story, or a family member, or a friend. I know, I can read you some of my books, the characters often have names, maybe you will find one you like.”

“Can I learn to read?”

“Of course golem.” Marlot walked over to her bookshelf, looking for a story with a name, surprisingly many of them didn’t. Cinderella had a prince charming, as did Snow White. Thumbelina married the king of the fairies, no name there, and the youngest son in Puss in Boots only had a title. “Here’s one golem, Jack the Giant Killer, he has a name.” She told the story of a young man who killed many giants until, with the help of some magic tools he had acquired, he killed the giant who lived in a magnificent castle with a wizard who had bewitched many maidens and lords and a dukes daughter and upon killing the giant the castle vanished and Jack rescued all those imprisoned there, married the duke’s daughter and was given a large estate by her father.

“He sounds brave,” the golem said, his brown eyes were wide with delight and Marlot realized he was seated on the edge of his seat. “Is there more?”

“Not of this story, but there are other stories and a whole lot of nursery rhymes about boys named Jack.”

“Like what?”

“Jack and the beanstalk, it has giants in it too.” The golem didn’t even say a word, he just nodded and grinned, his eyes still alight with fascination.

“Please Marlot, read more, or teach me, then I can read more.”

Marlot was amazed at how quickly he learned to read. They read through Jack the Giant Killer three more times before she moved on to Jack and the Beanstalk. After reading that twice he was able to read most of the nursery rhymes by himself and she wasn’t surprised to see him fascinated by Little Jack Horner, Jack the Piper, The House That Jack Built, Jack Be Nimble, and Jack and Jill.
Marlot had started cooking while the golem read out loud so that she could correct or help him when he got stuck. He also often stopped while reading the rhymes and asked Marlot to explain what they meant, which she did happily. She almost dropped the entire bowl of mashed potatoes on the floor when he gasped. “I have heard this one before.”

“Which one dear?”

‘What are little boys made of?
Snips of snails, and puppy-dogs’ tails,
That’s what little boys are made of.

What are little girls made of?
Sugar and spice, and everything nice,
That’s what little girls are made of.’

Marlot looked up at him in shock, “You heard that, while you were in the cauldron, I sang it while I added the final ingredients.”

“You made me out of snails and tails?” he looked a little grossed out and then gave her his trademark lopsided smile.

“Eat up Jack, dinner is served.”

The golem's smile spread to a full on grin. “Jack…” he thought about the name for a second, “Yes, and I will be just as brave as the hero’s named before me.”

“I’m sure you will dear.” Marlot lay his dinner down in front of him and pulled the book out of his hands before he could start another rhyme, “now eat.”