An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world Options

[M. J. Young]

They laugh.

"Well, you can't fault the man on his eagerness," Tuck says. "He's always wanting to learn everything right away."

Alan says, "Not tonight. Work in the day. Didn't the good Lord say that we were to work in the day?"

"Aye," Tuck says, "The night cometh when no man worketh, sounds right to me."

"Music lessons are good right after lunch, so we'll start tomorrow--" Little John interrupts him.

"I thought you were with me tomorrow?"

"Oh, right--all right, the day after tomorrow, unless something interferes."

"That's right," Tuck says. "The Lord doesn't like us to plan too far in advance."

"But that's not too far, I think," Alan says. "We'll hope there's time after lunch then."

"Meanwhile," Tuck says, "tomorrow you can come around to the sick with me in the afternoon. I'm expecting some chicken soup from Jane of Copperdale, and it will help to have someone to carry it for me."

"Oh, sounds good," Will says.

"None of that," Tuck says. "It's for the sick. You're well enough to make your own food."

"Hey, I'll carry it for you," Will says, "in exchange for a bit. She makes good soup."

"That she does, but since John Oak here has taken an interest in helping the sick for their sake and for the gospel's, and you want to do it for the soup, I think he should be the one who benefits. Well, I'm off to bed. Early prayers tomorrow."

--M. J. Young

[Oak]

I nod in agreement.

"That sounds fine. Thank you all. I had better get to sleep as well. Have a good night..."

I reluctantly take my leave of the crackling fire, making my way back to my bed, but stopping on the way to enjoy the stars and sounds and smells of the forest for a few minutes.

And as I settle down to sleep, I spend some time pondering the needs around me, and how the LORD would have me help. For there are tasks enough for my two hands and mundane skills, but there are those both near and far who could benefit from the power the LORD has chosen to put forth through me.

For those near at hand... what if the LORD were to suddenly heal those who are ailing here?

And for the entire country, if not the world... what if the LORD were to suddenly transport King Richard safely back to Sherwood?

And would the LORD have me petition Him for such things? Is it my place to interfere thusly in this world?

And so I fall asleep...

[M. J. Young]

The next morning the stars are gone. The clouds have pulled in overnight, and it is a drizzly day. There aren't many out in the rain, and you realize they have nothing like raincoats, but seek shelter in their thatched huts.

There is some breakfast available, which you get. It's a pot of porridge or something like it sitting unattended on a low fire.

--M. J. Young

[Oak]

After breakfast, I return to my own shelter.

If I am alone, I take advantage of the opportunity for a time of prayer and reflection, continuing my bedtime thoughts, as I listen to the sounds of the rain outside.

And if I am not alone, I take advantage of the opportunity for a time to get to know my roommates...

[M. J. Young]

Actually, when you return to your quarters you find one of your roommates snoring loudly, which he continues to do through the entirety of the rainy morning.

Tuck comes looking for you around lunch time to help him with the soup.

--M. J. Young

[Oak]

"Well met, sir. Some hot soup on a rainy day may be good for them..."

"What is the weather like throughout the year here?"

I take up the carrying tasks with a will, happy to bring some comfort to these afflicted folks, taking care not to slip or trip or otherwise spill the precious fluid...

[M. J. Young]

"What, the weather? Oh, right--you're not from around here. Well, I don't know what to tell you--April showers bring May flowers. Snow in the winter, rain in the spring, sun in the summer, wind in the autumn, all of these things generalizations, of course. You'll have sunny days in the winter, but almost never warm sunny days, if you see the difference. It rains any time of year, but usually in the winter it's snow and summer tends to be dry, but it still rains often enough to keep the forests green. The weather changes a bit--not so bad as in London, where they say if you don't like the weather, wait a minute, but still we can have fog, rain, and sunshine all in the same day, and at some times of the year a week can include hot dry days and snow. Variety, that's for certain."

You notice that Tuck prays aloud for the sick and anoints them with oil, and that they seem improved by this.

--M. J. Young

[Oak]

I quietly assist Tuck, observing all that I can, asking the names of each of the patients, and gently getting to know them.

And after we take our leave...

"How well do you know them, Tuck? How long have they been here? And what are their stories?"

[M. J. Young]

"You and everyone's story. Boy, these people all have the same story, one way or another. They've been taxed out of their homes by the shire reeve's thugs. Some of them got ill and couldn't work, some were forced to pay more than they had, some were targeted to turn in their neighbors and wouldn't do it. They wind up here when they have no where else, or have had enough and want to fight back. That's everyone's story."

He does know the name of each of the eight or nine he is attending. He knows all the names of everyone in camp.

--M. J. Young

[Oak]

I ponder thoughtfully for a few moments.

"I noticed you praying for the patients, and that they seemed to improve as a result. What ways have you seen the LORD respond to prayers and petitions?"

[M. J. Young]

"The Good Lord always hears my prayers, and he always answers. I don't look for how He answers, because I don't need to see it to know it. It's about faith, you know."

--M. J. Young