The Adventures of Horace Tidwiddler by jlee smith (book suggestions txt) 📕

these before, They were made entirely of reeds, and as far as he could determine, there was no wood used in their construction.
Durant and Abbasonn were having a conversation in hushed voices as they tied up to the dock, Horace thought if he kissed the ground it would be a little much, so he didn't. His legs were acting a little funny but he was able to stand, Aunt Matt had to sit down and close her eyes for a moment until she regained her land legs, Both agreed they were very happy to be on solid ground again.
Abbasonn walked over to Horace and said, "We have a little problem. Durant said he has never been on this island before." Aunt Matt said, "Little problem, what do
you mean, little problem?" "You mean we are lost don't you?" "Yes," he replied, "we are lost." Abbasonn and Durant decided they should try to find fresh water before any departure was planned.
The four adventurers each took a clay jug wrapped in cord and set out for the islands interior, Abbasonn thought if fresh water could be found it would be there. They had traveled only a short distance when they saw movement in the green vegetation that lined their path. Horace was aware of small eyes that were staring at them. He looked at the others without saying anything, Abbasonn stepped to the front of the group and said, "Hello, we are looking for water, can you help us?" A small man walked from the undergrowth and said, "Welcome to our island strangers we will be glad to help you." Abbasonn recognized the dialect as a language he had not heard in years. It was one his grandmother had spoken when he was a child., He replied, "We are looking for an island with a gypsy settlement and were driven off course by the storm." The small man answered, "It lies two days to the Northwest of here. Please, you are welcome to our village and its comforts. You should rest before you return to your journey." Abbasonn thanked him for his hospitality and said it would be an honor.
About fifty men slowly came out of the bush. Horace noticed each was carrying a spear about five foot in length. The men were all about four foot in height and wore skins that looked like they came from goats. The men's skin was brown, but their faces appeared to have been painted black. This gave Horace an uneasy feeling. As the little group followed their hosts to their village, Abbasonn explained to Horace it would be a grievous mistake to refuse their hospitality. Horace agreed.
As they approached the village, children appeared from everywhere. They did not come out in the open, but stayed in the shadows. They were very small of stature with big round eyes. Horace noticed also that the houses were constructed entirely of reeds just like the boats in the harbor. The group of travelers were directed to an area in the center of the village and offered a place to sit on reed mats. Food was brought to the mats on platters made of reeds tied together with animal gut. The meal consisted entirely of melons, bird eggs and roasted goat meat. Horace thought it was very good and was glad he knew what he was eating. An old man who Horace thought looked unusual due to his gray hair and a face painted black stepped forward and introduced himself as Bori, he was the village elder and welcomed our group. He wanted to know about their travels and was especially interested in the boat and its construction. Durant said its construction was of timber from another country, Bori said he did not know the word timber. Durant found himself trying to explain timber to a man who had never seen a tree. Aunt Matt turned to Horace and under her breath said “Blind man and the elephant.” Horace had a hard time keeping a straight face.
They said that very few individuals had visited their island from the outside world. Therefore, they knew very little of things foreign to their island. Bori also wanted to know how the mud jugs wrapped with cord could possible hold water. He said they used dried gourds to hold liquids such as water and goats milk. The mud jugs seemed strange to the reed people. Abbasonn said that the mud was first shaped in the form of a jug, then fired in an oven to dry, and that a cord was added later to give the jug additional strength. Bori studied for a moment, then nodded his head in understanding. Horace later thought them to be a very gentle and pleasant people. He found them to be nothing like what he had first perceived them to be.
The next morning after a meal of goat cheese and bird eggs they were led to a fresh water well located near the village, The islands interior contained many large areas covered with very tall reeds. This explained where they got their building material. Large herds of wild goats roamed all over the island. Aunt Matt told Horace that the goats were more than likely introduced to the island by ship wrecks years ago. There was an abundance of grass and fresh water so the goats would have done very well. They also noticed that many varieties of wild melons and gourds grew all over the island, She told Horace that it’s funny how nature provides.
That afternoon, after the fresh water jugs were stored on board the little craft, and goodbyes said all around, Bori said he had a gift for Abbasonn. It was a large gourd with very detailed carving all over its surface. Abbasonn was taken back for a moment by the generosity of the little man. He said that he wished he had something that he could give in return for a such beautiful gift. Bori said he would be honored to have one of the mud jugs wrapped in cord. This exchange was quickly made. The group was led back to the harbor by the whole village, even the children. As their little craft sailed out of the harbor into open water, Durant said, “Nice people, I will see them again. Next time I will bring goods to trade.” With their new friends standing on shore waving goodbye, Durant turned the little boat into the wind and headed Northwest. Horace stood and waved at all the figures on shore till they faded from sight. As the sail filled with wind and the salt spray covered his face, Horace thought, yes, they were very, very nice people.


CHAPTER ELEVEN - QUESTIONS

The moon came up late that evening when Aunt Matt, Durant and Bentaub decided to turn in. Abbasonn and Horace stayed up on deck to take first watch. They sat in the stern taking turns holding the little craft on its course Northwest. Horace asked Abbasonn how he learned to use the stars to navigate by. He said that his father had taught him long ago when he lived far to the south in a land where there was only desert and sand. Abbasonn said his father had called it shooting the stars not navigating the stars, but that was a long time ago. He said the stars were the same regardless of where you were, they never change. Horace said Aunt Matt had told him they could change every forty million years or so. Abbasonn looked at Horace for a moment then broke into laughter. He laughed so hard he woke Aunt Matt who yelled "keep it down up there." Abbasonn looked at Horace, shook his head, and said, " she could be right, she could be right." Horace was not sure what he had said that was so doggone funny, but he didn't ask.
They sat in silence for a while just enjoying the breeze and the feel of the boat being pushed forward by the wind. After a while Horace said, Abbasonn, I need to ask you a personal question but I do not want to offend you. Abbasonn looked at Horace for a moment then said, "little brother, it's not in you to offend, what do you need to know?" "Well," Horace said, "does it rub off and are you black all over?" Abbasonn looked at Horace and started heehawing with laughter like a mule. Aunt Matt yelled, "Don't make
me come up there." It took several minutes for Abbasonn to stop laughing but when he finally caught his breath he looked at Horace and said, "No and yes." "It does not rub off and yes I am black all over." Horace felt stupid.
Abbasonn said, "little brother, when Allah made humans, he made them in all colors, He made black, white, yellow, all shades of brown and I have been told even red. But just to be sure that no one color would feel superior to another, he made them the same color from the skin all the way to the bone." Horace sat there for a moment then said, "Thank you. I think I understand." Abbasonn gave Horace a pat on the shoulder and said, "Little brother, you are all right!"
After a long lull in the conversation, Horace said, "Abbasonn, can you tell me the difference between God and Allah?" Abbasonn thought for a moment then replied, "Horace men have pondered that difference for as long as there been men to ponder the question. I personally feel that every person who believes in either knows there is no difference. Regardless of the name by which he is called, he resides within the believer." Horace sat for a moment then said, "thank you" again.
Abbasonn sat staring at the black sea as waves broke and moon light turned the spray to a soft white mist. Stars filled the sky and it was almost as if he could reach out and grab handfuls. He pulled his white cloth closer for the warmth it provided and said, "little brother, you ask a lot of questions." Horace replied, "I know, I am sorry." "No, it's okay, said Abbasonn, "but you need to get some sleep." "Night" said Horace. "Night" said Abbasonn.
Horace was wakened by Abbasonn shaking his arm and whispering, "be very quiet". He did not move or make a sound. At first, all he could hear were the waves breaking on the bow of the boat, then something that sounded like Eeeeeee, then Eeeeeeee again. Horace looked at Abbasonn who held one finger to his lips and under his breath said "whales, lots of whales." Horace looked at Abbasonn and said, "what's a whale?' Abbasonn said, "a fish, a very, very big fish." Horace was staring into the gray morning mist just as something larger than anything he had ever seen silently slid from the black sea and then back into it. A fish tail as large as their boat appeared, slapped the water then disappeared in the darkness. Horace became aware of several other large bodies moving in the waters all around them. To say Horace was terrified was putting it mildly. He turned