Having feasted at the pig pull (a traditional celebration of those in the South to bless events that shape the future), Sancho, his wife Maria, Alonso and his intended, Shirlee, sat around the great hall in the Quijada household. In attendance were notables of the community. An excellent wine from the church's own abundant cellars flowed freely and as the warmth of the food, the pleasant company and the heat of the day gave way to the cool of the evening, members of the assemblage asked the Don to recount his adventures. He refused, but Sancho stepped forward without invitation and assured the group that he would amuse them with a story that would aid in their understanding of the exploits of Don Quixote. Perhaps it was because the Don felt embarrassed by the attention, or wanted to shield his future bride from the agonies of Sancho's story telling abilities, he insisted that Sancho have another round at the skin of wine, thinking that this would soften his tongue and divert his interest. Alas, it appeared only to encourage the erstwhile squire and now with his spirit built by those of the grape, he began his story.
"Not too many years ago, if I recall correctly, a group of the most prominent and respected members of the community in the land of Amazia, ventured forth on the road to Toledo. As it was a cool morn and the dew was on the grass, they stayed in the well-trod path and having traveled most of the distance the prior day were not quite a furlong from their destination. As they were enjoying the countryside and carrying on an active discussion as learned ones are known to do, their attention was diverted to the road for there in a heap was a most amazing substance in mid-road. The three travelers on seeing this find, thought how better to determine its makeup and further how to describe it."
"Sancho, Sancho, Sancho," begged the Don, "please for the sake of our audience, end this tale for the night will be past and we will be into the heat of the day before you have reached the first turn in your story."
"Thank you my past master and most generous friend, for reminding me that the road was twisted and your suggestion of a turn in my story is most apt. Let me continue."
Sancho took another generous draw from the red wine and looked to see if another might be close at hand. The town mayor seeing his glance, rose to the occasion and rolled another keg from the stores that he had helped the curate remove from the cellar just that day. Now knowing that his throat would not be dry, Sancho continued near the place where he had left off his story.
"In amazement the three friends who were traveling this long, crooked, and much twisted road to Toledo, studied the deposit which, did I say was freshly made? The biscuits were well formed, and laid in a neatly arranged steaming pile. These voyagers having very different educations pursued their enquiry into its very being, hoping not only to discover what it might be but also from what source it might have originated. The man of the church was most well trained in salvation of one's soul. The doctor known for his skills with the knife and basin had years of experience in correcting the malfunctions of the body and the educator, a man of generous proportions brought about by his spending most of his time before books with pen and paper, well into the night, under the smoky light of candles was known for his abilities to address the weakness of the mind. There you have it; mind, body and soul. If they found a friend in need, they would be able to repair him and make him whole, at least to their own satisfaction. But how to determine the solution to this enigma was another matter.
The first to examine the product of this giant of literature, as I call my contribution to the story, was the pastor. He knowing of fine wines, was possessor of a sensitive nose. As only a connoisseur can do, on bended knee, a most familiar position for this man of the cloth, placed his nose not a thumbs distance from the offal and with his lily-white right hand cause a small movement of the air above the pile, this raised the vapors to his nostrils and as he had long been known to do, took in the fragrance not unlike the way in which one places one's nose in a large goblet in which a fine wine has been only minutely added. He quaffed the air and filled his lungs with the heavenly aroma.
"Not unlike a fine but tart cheese." said the holy man. "It possesses a tinge of garlic, a bit of coumarin, but mostly it is heady not unlike a good Roquefort. Who or whatever caused the deposit here must have been of the finest mettle and possessed a quality not seen in these parts that often. We must preserve this for the benefit of mankind. I know not what it is."
"Friend priest." spoke the barber, "I think you should let me make use of my many skills and determine more the character of this product." Now the barber who was accustomed to the use of his hands in digging deep into the cavities of man and also in administering potents to the sick and infirm was known to be a chemist at heart and could therefore analyze the well-shaped briquets. Stepping aside, the man of the church said, "Brother you know how I respect your opinions in matters of the earth, please give us your opinion."
As is customary for one of his position, the surgeon, who as was well known to those who traveled with him, always carried in his knapsack, the gown that was his badge of authority, it being well splattered with the blood of those who he had with mercy served. From the knapsack, he carefully removed this fine linen covering that had never known the grace of water and with the assistance of the priest, allowed it to be draped with dignity over his shoulders and it is added, the priest tied the sash cord securely. All this being necessary so that the doctor did not contaminate his hands. Now with the gown firmly in place he carefully wiped his left and then his right hand on the folds of material in a rite of cleansing them of any filth that might have by happenchance soiled them. Now with his hands properly prepared he was able to approach the pile much as he had in times past considered the problems of a patient. Bending and using his left hand, as his right hand which was reserved for the finer things in life, he grasp the uppermost deposit and then stood upright to analyze and characterize it in detail. Placing his back to the sun, he squeezed firmly the product and noted that a thin trickle of liquid spread over his hand. With the index finger of his right hand he placed it in the flow and then moistening his lips and tongue, tasted carefully this juice. Then taking both hands, he carefully spread the parcel and examined in detail the structure. Finally he spoke.
"I perceive that this wondrous substance which has been of recent manufacture, contains brine, a small part of sulfur, perhaps some acid and without doubt, animal and vegetable proteins. The taste is not unagreeable but perhaps to one of lesser knowledge, might go unnoticed. If I had my proper knives, scalpels and forceps, I might be able to dissect and find the true essence of this material and thus gain in discovery of its source. Not unlike my religious brother, I do not know and will not guess as to what it may be. Perhaps the learned scholar will give us his judgement?"
The Master of the University system was much pleased to see that he was the one chosen to make the last judgement and thus reveal to his companions what this heap from the middle of the road might be. As a scholar, he knew well the scientific method as well as all the rules of logic which could be brought to bear in analysis.
"Brothers, for all men are my brothers, I want you to consider the environment in which we operate. The sun is now half way to its zenith, the wind is to our back as we are approaching Toledo from the South. The temperature is pleasant and promises to remain so for the remainder of the day. It is dry as is to be expected at this season."
The Don interrupted his neighbor, Sancho, by exclaiming, "Enough. We know the weather as well as you and certainly better than your actors in whatever play you are describing. But for the blessing of God, Jesus, Holy Mary, the Saints without end, and perhaps even the devil as well, I pray that you end this burdensome tale."
"Again I owe thanks to the master of the manor for reminding me of a further detail of my story." replied Sancho, who took another mighty draw on the skin before he continued. "Let me see where I was before I was forced to draw a breath and refresh my throat. I remember, we had just learned that neither the churchman or surgeon could solve the puzzle, so it remained for the scholar to do his best. The one educated in our finest university said as, I remember, "This lump for that best describes its physical characteristics, is well formed and suggestive of having passed through a die of proportions that shape and form it in due process. I note from fibers that are on the surface and that most likely extend to its interior that it is designed to retain its shape even when exposed to the weather. And good friends, note that there are an abundance of these. This would indicate that they have no great value as with coins, jewels and such, quantity reduces the appeal of possession. In hefting this single briquet, I note that it has little weight. Seeing the presence of straw within it, I judge that it has been filled with this material to reduce further its value. I proclaim it a counterfeit of whatever originally was intended, but I must admit that I know not what the original was or what this fake represents. The only thing that I can propose is that we carry back to the school a good sample so that it may be studied further." Having said this, he took several of the muffin shaped products and placed them inside his knapsack alongside the cheese and bread that was intended for their lunch.
At about this time a farmer happened along with a shovel, pushing a wheelbarrow. When he saw the three men of importance standing mid-road, he addressed them as follows, "Get away from my pile. It's mine, I found it first and am just now returning to claim the spoils."
This greatly surprised the knowing ones as such a simpleton would dare call them to task in such a manner, but being reasonable fellows they asked what this man of the soil was about. He explained, this very day, at break of the sun from its crypt, a small circus band had passed this way. They had the usual assortment of clowns, magicians, story tellers, fortune tellers, tumblers and a small number of animals of little value. Their tent and other materials of their trade were on a large wagon pulled by their greatest draw, an elephant of no small proportions. The elephant having been well fed the eve before, did what all elephants are wont to do and placed not far from the wagon, an off-fall of generous proportions.
He intended to collect the finding. Which he did, loading it into his wheelbarrow.
Seeing they were to go in the same direction as the farmer, the three men of knowledge, without offering assistance in pushing his load, walked alongside him as he toiled with his heavily ladened wheelbarrow.
Now it came to be that as they entered the edge of Toledo, they passed the Casa del Nuncio where the dwellers had been given the freedom of the morning. One particular gentleman who was in the midyear's of his life, bid them good day and asked what might be in the wheelbarrow that required four men to transport it into the city. The farmer replied, "It's manure for strawberries."
The inmate responded, "You surely must come inside and share our quarters. We put sugar on ours."
Thus, concluded Sancho's tale and it is for the audience to decide the identity of the actors in this simple play.
End.
******
Devil's agent , Flyaway islands , Fulling mill , Dry caves , Truth, Fruit of the stable , Treed knight , Dali , Joe Wortham's Home Page , About Joe Wortham
Please send comments to: [email protected]