Freddie & The Country Folk

Freddie was careful not to reveal his true identity. Sometimes, as he sat under the Grand Oak tree that marked the end of his father’s land and the start of the neighbor’s, he’d wonder why people treated him differently. He sensed he was different from the others in town and his parents, but never had reason to suspect his life would soon turn sideways and propelled into chaos. He had few reasons to think he was that different from the rest of the townspeople; he looked as similar to the others in town as he could, with the exception of his long, pointed nose and his hair had been gray from infancy. 

As he spoke to the Grand Oak and asked its advice, he never let on that he heard quiet whispers in response to his questions. Country Folk didn’t talk to trees, they didn’t hear the sound of fairy wings as they fluttered by, invisible to the naked eye. Country Folk didn’t have sharp noses and gray hair; their faces were proportionate and their hair was gold or red. Freddie stuck out more than a single dandelion in a field of green grass. His appearance wasn’t the only difference he experienced.

Life in Handell was different for Country Folk and always seemed to grate Freddie’s nerves, causing outbursts at times that resulted in him being sent to bed or to the Grand Oak if the weather permitted. He could never get used to their routine or lifestyle. They rose with the sun, worked hard outside tending to fields and livestock, then retired to bed shortly after the fall of darkness. Sleep was almost immediate, which allowed you to rise early and repeat the cycle once more.

Freddie was of another world with no birthday. The day he and his parents used as his birthday was the date Freddie had arrived in Handell. His parents had discovered him amongst the milkweed surrounding their pond. A chubby baby cooing and making bubbles surprised the couple, and after searching the grounds for a potential mother or family, they came up short. His mother scooped the baby into her arms and carried him into their cabin. The light of the fire in the hearth caused the infant to squint for it had been exposed to darkness for so long. His adopted parents, whom he knew as Ma and Pa, did not suspect any difference between their new ward and themselves, aside from the nose and hair.

But their new child was Water Folk.

By their very nature, Water Folk are not harmful to others, but the magic they possessed and used to their advantage frightened the people of Handell. They did not understand how power such as this wouldn’t be used against them and cause the Water Folk to overtake Handell. Then where would they be? Country Folk had farm equipment to protect them. Water Folk had the cosmos providing them with everything they needed. Though Freddie himself never hurt even the scariest-looking spider. His mother, on the other hand, was known for smashing her shoe onto their tiny bodies and brushing them into the trash with the look of absolute disgust on her face.

Thinking of this, Freddie wondered how she could bring herself to end a life, even this small. It made him wonder why the Country Folk of Handell worried so much over outsiders if they themselves were prone to violence.

He leaned his head against the Grand Oak and asked for guidance.

“Grand Oak,” he asked quietly. “Why do I feel so different? Why can’t I feel at one with my people?”

Lower than a whisper, the Grand Oak responded. Freddie nodded as he listened with great interest.

“If I am different, then, what is my destiny?” He countered.

Again, the Grand Oak responded. Freddie lowered his head and rubbed his eyes.

“I’ll let you sleep now, dear one,” he said quietly. “And I shall contemplate these things you suggested.”

He stretched his legs before him and replayed the conversation in his head. Grand Oak had told him he felt different from the Country Folk, but it wasn’t reality. These perceived differences, she explained, were tools that fanned the flames of fear. Embrace your gifts and be proud of who you are but realize you’re still the same as those who are unlike you. Or, she’d cautioned, you will be drawn into darkness. Appreciate what makes you unique but understand that you are in many ways the same.

Freddie’s mother called him in for lunch. This disruption to his quiet contemplation frustrated him until he recalled that he’d not eaten for several hours and would benefit from some of his mother’s stew. When he entered the small cabin and sat down at the table, he realized his mother hadn’t set the table and the cabin was empty.

“Ma?” He called but received no answer.

“She’s not here,” a low voice grumbled from the shadows.

Freddie squinted, trying to make out the figure as it approached. It wasn’t until the breeze billowed through the curtains and cast light into the cabin that he was able to see a face.

Dredge was the local law enforcement, though the role was never given to him or necessary, save for a few instances of escaped chickens. His face was serious and his fists were clenched.

“I know you don’t belong here,” Dredge growled.

Freddie felt his hairs stand at attention.

“I don’t know what you mean,” he replied.

“You don’t belong here,” Dredge repeated. “You have to leave or I’ll expose you to everyone.”

Freddie’s eyebrows drew together with confusion.

“Do you know what I am?” He asked, hoping Dredge somehow had all the answers.

“No,” he said, glancing out the door for a moment. “But I can see you’re not one of us, so you have to leave.”

When his stare returned to Freddie, it felt as though a hot blanket was encasing him. Tingles traveled from his forehead to his nose, fingertips, and toes. The air seemed to get thick with humidity neither had felt before. Dredge began to quiver when he noticed Freddie’s deep blue eyes were shimmering.

“Leave,” he gasped. “Leave now, or I’ll tell everyone you’re Water Folk. Do you know what they’ll do to you then?”

Dredge started making a sideways exit to the door. Freddie felt the weight of Dredge’s words drop onto his shoulders, and he knew he was right. Once he was alone, Freddie tried to decide what to do, and he wondered what had occurred when Dredge was making his threats and accusations. The feeling of pure electricity and power had coursed through him and made him light heated.

Only one being would have the answers.

Freddie rushed out to see the Grand Oak, running faster than he ever knew possible.

“Grand Oak,” he puffed. “I beg you forgive me for disturbing your slumber. I need your guidance.”

Grand Oak stirred and her branches swayed gently, creating a gust of wind that knocked Freddie onto the grass with a thud. She spoke to Freddie.

“I cannot stay if Dredge is planning to expose me,” he said. “After that confrontation, I know now that I was right all along. I am truly different from everyone here. Dredge said I was Water Folk. Is this true?”

He listened to the Grand Oak and let her words sink in before collapsing on the ground in a heap. He lifted his head and looked at the tree with tears streaming down his face.

“How am I supposed to go on with this power?” He choked. “Everyone will be afraid of me.”

Grand Oak assured him once again before resting her branches and leaves in quiet slumber.

Despite the Grand Oak’s assurance that everything would be okay and that Freddie should not flee, he felt he needed to heed Dredge’s words. Without returning to the cabin, he set off to the edge of town to seek refuge elsewhere. He’d walked for miles before he saw in the distance a cloud of dust rising from the earth from under pounding hooves.

The Herdsmen were aggressive and Freddie sensed they were seeking to harm the Country Folk. Without thinking, he raced back toward town to warn his people. He came to the center of town and rang the bell in the tower of the old church. As folks gathered to see what the ruckus was, Freddie spotted Dredge among them. His heart caught in his throat and fear sent shivers along his spine, but he stood firm.

“Country Folk,” he shouted from the tower. “I have been to the edge of the town and seen Herdsmen thundering towards us!”

The townspeople cried out and gasped. Mothers clutched their babies and rushed home to hunker down as the remaining people gathered to discuss a plan. They fretted over the lack of tools and their powerlessness. They felt hopeless and relented. They were at the mercy of the Herdsmen.

Dredge’s eyes penetrated the massive space between him and Freddie. Without removing his eyes from Freddie’s face, he spoke.

“Townspeople,” he cried out. “Listen well. It appears young Freddie is not what he claims. He is not Country Folk, though I am sure it comes to no surprise to any of us.”

Freddie’s eyes darted away and he felt the expected feeling of being betrayed and cast aside. The town would rather suffer at the hands of Herdsmen than trust Water Folk.

“He may be our only hope,” Dredge continued.

Freddie glanced down at the crowd who had begun to look to him for guidance. He was silent.

“I know not what to do,” Freddie said finally. “I am but a young man. If Dredge is correct and I am Water Folk, am I not feared?”

The people conversed amongst themselves, knowing their options were short and time was running out.

“We do not fear you, Freddie,” a familiar voice sprang from the crowd.

His mother, who had nursed him back to health numerous times and been patient during his outbursts stood tall, her husband by her side. Pa nodded in agreement.

Seeing this, the townspeople cheered and urged Freddie to do what could be done to protect them.

Dredge cut through the chaos of chatter and addressed Freddie.

“I am sorry to suggest you were less than us,” he shouted.

The crowd grew quiet and still.

“I only feared you for your appearance,” he explained, growing red with embarrassment. “I shouldn’t have judged you for your differences, rather I should have celebrated our similarities. The town has known you to be kind and thoughtful, never once causing harm to even a fly.”

Freddie looked off into the distance and spotted the cloud of dust growing closer.

“I hope you’ll forgive me,” Dredge begged. “You are our only hope. We are doomed to perish without your help.”

Freddie felt his fingers, nose, and toes tingle again. He felt magic rush from within him and out towards the Herdsmen. He couldn’t control the power; it took on a life of its own and hurled itself to the edge of town. Freddie drew his hands forward and mimed a wall before him. With that gesture, the magic that poured from him created a barrier that protected the town from those who seek to harm the inhabitants. The Herdsmen doubled back in fear and confusion, not understanding how their mission to invade the town of Handell could fail. After testing the border of the town for several hours, they surrendered their mission and returned to their homes.

To this day, the town of Handell is protected by this barrier, allowing only those with light in their hearts to enter. Freddie, having saved the town, was welcomed into the homes of all the townspeople for meals for many consecutive nights. All the Country Folk were grateful for this outsider who was always one of them. They had known all along that Freddie had some different physical traits, but they sensed his heart was true and capable of no harm. Through the revelation Dredge presented to the town, they began to open their borders to the Water Folk, which led Freddie to meet some of his kind.

Finally, Freddie felt he belonged in his town, he understood how the Grand Oak could tell him to be at one with his people, and he never felt the need to hide who he was again.

The End.