Monday Moodle 26 - Diffy’s Wandering
“What’s wrong with the world? I am.” ~G.K. Chesterton, attrib. ~
Diffy’s Wandering
In the days of knights and castles, there was once an eleven-year-old boy named Diffy Malot. When he wasn’t at school or fencing lessons, Diffy loved to roam the countryside or explore city streets.
One day, while wandering outside town, he came across a group of Romani gypsies camping by the stone bridge near the river. He admired their vibrantly painted wagons and was enchanted by the lively music. Delicious scents drifted from their cooking fire, and he laughed as little children dashed among the wagon wheels and luggage in a joyous game of tag.
Although it seemed like a fun, carefree life, he began to see things differently as he looked more closely. He noticed a woman bent with age and pain, sitting on a bench in the shade. Her hands trembled as they rested on her knees. She appeared nearly empty.
He also noticed a small girl sitting alone on a patch of mottled grass between two wagons. She had a crudely bandaged foot stained with blood, and her face was scratched and smudged with soot. Diffy wanted to comfort them and saw a man approaching carrying an armful of chopped wood.
“What are you staring at?” said the man.
“Nothing, sir, I mean, er, I noticed the girl; she seems hurt. Is there anything I can do?” asked Diffy.
“Who do you think you are? She’ll be all right,” said the man. . . . “just had a run-in with one of our dogs.”
“That’s terrible,” said Diffy. “I know a doctor who could help.”
“Now, don’t go messing with our people. We take care of our own. Leave us alone, and we’ll leave you alone. Understand!”
“But think . . . ”
The man cut off Diffy in mid-sentence. “Don’t go thinking you’re better than us and judging how we do things. Be off, or I’ll send the dogs!”
***
When Diffy returned home for lunch, he went to the library to find someone to talk to. The counselor was tall, deep-eyed, and thoughtful. His sable robes flowed to his ankles, and he wore a scholar’s cap. He smiled as Diffy walked up, put his hand on the boy’s shoulder, and said, “What can I do for you?”
“I’m confused,” said the boy. “On one hand, the Romani appear so happy and content. On the other hand, they seem troubled.”
Closing the book he was looking at, the counselor stooped to look into Diffy’s face and asked, “Can you tell me more?”
“Well, at first glance, they seem so free and filled with joy, but looking closer, I notice a lot of suffering—even a hardness in their eyes and faces. Could we help them, do you think?”
“Yes, we could,” said the tall man. “But they might not want our help. Their lives are admirable in a way. They possess independence and gritty self-reliance, yet that same self-reliance prevents them from accepting kindness.”
“But what can we do to help them?” asked the boy.
“You can’t force someone to eat if they’re not hungry. Still, we can respect them and admire their noble qualities. If they ask, we can also be ready to help them in humility and love. I try to remember that each person holds a little of God’s image.”
***
That afternoon, Diffy explored a part of town he hadn’t been in before. Suddenly, two men in shabby clothes blocked his way.
“What do we have here, Burt?” said the first man.
“I don’t know, Howie, but maybe he has some money in those fancy pockets of his,” said the second.
Diffy looked around and saw several others behind him, hemming him in.
“I bet we could fetch a pretty penny for that fancy jacket,” said one.
“And those high-top leather boots,” said another.
Burt said, “This little lad might have to have an unfortunate accident.”
“Or we could get some gold for him down at the docks. I know a captain who would pay a stack of coins for a new cabin boy,” said Howie, reaching out to grab Diffy’s jacket. Diffy spun out of Howie’s grasp, dodged Bert’s outstretched arms, and kicked him in the knee, but the others wrestled Diffy to the ground, holding his arms and legs. Diffy bit, kicked, and scratched, but they finally pinned him to the street.
Suddenly, a horn blared, and clopping hooves echoed through the streets. Swift riders approached from all directions, surrounding the thieves; the riders dismounted and bound the hands of the men.
“We’ve been trying to get our hands on this gang of thieves for a long time. Thanks for leading us to them, my boy! Are you okay?” asked a tall, deep-eyed man in gilded armor sitting on the back of a silver-haired charger.
“Yes, I’m fine, Your Majesty!” said Diffy, surprised to see the king. “But how did you find me?”
“You are never out of our sight, even if you don’t know it,” said one of the knights who had jumped off his horse to help Diffy get up.
“We are glad you’re alright young man,” replied the king. “Now, let’s get you home.” The king quickly rode up to Diffy, reached down with a strong arm, grabbed Diffy by the back of his jacket, and hoisted the boy into his saddle. The two rode off while other soldiers took the gang to jail.
***
That night, Diffy lay in bed thinking about the day’s events, when a tall man with deep eyes came into his room, dressed in simple pajamas and wool slippers.
“It’s been quite a day, my boy,” said his father gently.
“Can I ask a question?” said Diffy. “Why did those men try to capture me?”
“Well, Diffy, that’s an honest question that deserves an honest answer. You may not be ready for the answer now, but ask me again in a few years.”
“Can’t you tell me some of it now, or I’ll never get to sleep.”
“Okay,” said the man, stooping close to the bed, unable to resist the eager face of the lad. “Part of the answer is that they don’t know how important they are.”
The boy’s brow furrowed. “What? Thieves, important? Will you explain what you mean? It sounds confusing.” said Diffy.
The tall man smiled and said, “When people can’t see value in themselves, they also fail to recognize it in others and only view people as tools for their own benefit. Sadly, they can’t envision a world where they can be a part of something greater.”
“I think I understand a little bit,” said Diffy as he snuggled deeper into his covers, jiggled a little, and smiled a big smile. “You know it’s true I love you as a counselor and king, but I like you best when you’re just my dad.”
Hello Friends,
The final Moodle of the year came to me from a recent dream, so the story kernel is still pretty raw. It’s about our eyes and seeing the details and the reasons behind things. Diffy had an eye to see the suffering of the Romany people (Gypsies), and the king and his knights kept a watchful eye on the boy while remaining out of sight.
Before I end the Monday Moodle series, I want to shout out to the most important set of eyes in my life: my wife, a devoted editor, Sheila Kenny Urban. She ensures that everything I write is polished to the quality you deserve.
My ideas only make sense because of her work behind the scenes. Here’s to Sheila and all her editorial compadres who make the world of the written word a better place!
I wish you a blessed and healthy New Year!
The Beauty Christian Community
Therefore, if you have any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
(Philippians 2:1-4)
Thanks for Reading Everyday Amazed
Thanks for sharing! I loved the twist at the end!