A Twist of Grimm
William Holden
Published by Lethe Press at Smashwords
Copyright © 2010 William Holden.
All rights reserved.
No part of this work may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, microfilm, and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Published in 2010 by Lethe Press, Inc.
118 Heritage Avenue • Maple Shade, NJ 08052-3018
www.lethepressbooks.com • lethepress@aol.com
isbn: 1-59021-343-2
isbn-13: 978-1-59021-343-8
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
Interior design: Alex Jeffers.
Cover design: Thomas Drymon, drymondesign.
Table of Contents
The Queer Kingdom - a retelling of The Glass Coffin
Joshua and His Many Men - a retelling of Death’s Messengers
Mr. Brightboots - a retelling of The Boots of Buffalo Leather
Fish Bait - a retelling of The Beam
The Prince and His Companion - a retelling of The Riddle
Wicked Little Tongues - a retelling of The Elves
The Flaccid Cock that Sang - a retelling of The Singing Bone
The Maiden and the Mirror - a retelling of The Crystal Ball
The Penance of Three - a retelling of The Three Green Twigs
Grave Promise - a retelling of The Grave-Mound
Tricks of the Nix - a retelling of The Nix of Mill Pond
The Three Wishes - a retelling of Rich Man, Poor Man
The Forbidden Room - a retelling of Fitcher’s Bird
The Queer Kingdom
a retelling of
The Glass Coffin
There once was a tailor named Joseph who was a gifted and good-natured apprentice. One day he set out on his travels and wandered into a great forest. Since he did not know the way, he found himself lost. When night fell there was nothing left for him to do but to seek out a place to rest until morning. He could have made a bed from the soft moss that grew upon the ground, but his fear of wild animals would not have let him rest. So he decided to spend the night high in a tree. He searched for a large oak, and then climbed to the top and settled into the cradle of several large branches.
After a few hours shivering, he noticed a light shining from a place nearby. Surely he would feel better off among strangers than in a tree, so he climbed down and headed toward the light. Soon enough he found himself standing before a small cottage made of reeds and bushes. He knocked upon the wooden door. When the door opened, he saw the figure of an older man smaller in size than he, standing in the doorway covered in a coat sewn with many brightly colored patches.
“Who are you, and what do you want?” The man had a most gruff and suspicious voice.
“I am but a poor tailor and I am lost and alone in this forest. I beg of you to let me stay in your cottage till morning.”
“Get on your way,” the old man growled. “I want nothing to do with beggars. Find your lodging somewhere else.”
“Please, do not forsake me,” said Joseph as he held onto the edge of the old man’s cloak. “I have little to offer, but I would gladly give you anything you ask for, for the simple pleasure of a place to rest.”
Now the old man, not being as ill-natured as he liked to appear, softened a bit and brought the tailor into his home, where he gave him something to eat and then showed him to a small bed in the corner.
“Your kindness is worth so much more than I have to offer,” said the tailor as he removed his shoes, carefully placing them at the foot of the bed. “I have barely a few gold coins, but you are welcome to all of them in hopes that they will be enough to compensate you for your generosity.”
“Your coins are of no importance to me.” The old man studied Joseph. “I have all the wealth that I could ever want. For wealth is not determined in coins alone.”
“But they are all that I have to offer.” Joseph stood facing the old man as he unbuttoned his shirt to ready himself for bed. “Surely there is….” His words were cut off with the sharpness of a sword. There was a sudden wickedness that filled the air. He looked upon the old man and witnessed a stirring in the old man’s trousers. He then knew what he could offer the old man as payment for the night.
Joseph held up his shirt in one hand before releasing it. It fell to the floor. Joseph smiled at the old man as he ran his hands down his own chest. As he touched the soft blond hair that covered his upper body he gave rise to his own needs. He could tell the increased interest in the old man and so released his own trousers with one quick pull of the drawstring. They slid down his legs, gathering at his ankles. His prick hung between his legs. He reached down and pulled on it. It lengthened in his grip.
“Your interest is most apparent.” Joseph shortened the distance between them. “Maybe there is something I can offer. Something more intimate perhaps.”
“Oh, yes, yes, indeed,” chortled the old man. “An intimate encounter with such a fine young man would yes…oh yes. That would be most welcome.” With anxious fingers the old man unbuttoned his nightgown and stepped out of the garment. His body was well-kept for a man of his age. The gray hair was long and curly upon his chest; it helped to hide his slightly sagging breasts. The once dark hair that covered his privates was discolored with age, yet age had not affected the firmness and thickness of his sex. The old man wrapped his arms around Joseph’s body and pulled their nakedness together. He lavished greedy nibbles and kisses on Joseph’s chest as if he had not participated in such an activity in many years.
Now Joseph, being the kind, gentle man that he was, did not want to offend the old man by remarking on the strong, acrid smell of his body. Joseph closed his eyes and took several deep breaths to acclimate himself to the odor. Strangely the smell became an aphrodisiac to Joseph. The old man sank to his knees. His actions became more exact, more confident. He brought Joseph’s prick into his mouth, completely and fully, without the slightest reflex of his throat.
“My, you are full of mischief.” And Joseph moaned as his prick swelled inside the old man’s mouth. “You have the skill of an expert in these matters.” Joseph’s knees weakened as the intense pleasure of the old man’s mouth mounted to incredible heights. The old man’s lips and tongue worked Joseph’s prick to a fit of madness, releasing great quantities of precome. He pulled the old man to his feet to steady himself. The old man kissed him. Joseph tasted himself inside the old man’s mouth. His head swooned from delight as he licked the warm, sweet moisture from within. The old man broke their embrace and looked upon Joseph. In that moment, Joseph could see the youthfulness and angelic beauty that the old man once held.
“I would like the pleasure of entering you,” said the old man. When Joseph didn’t respond the old man continued. “Ah, I see the hesitation in your eyes, and therefore know of your purity. Trust me when I say that I understand these feelings, but I must assure you that there is a greater power at work here than you can possibly know.”
“I do not follow what you say.”
“I have waited centuries for this moment. There can be only one man upon all the earth who shall bear witness to my offering, and now that he has come to me, he mustn’t fear me. You are he, and you have been directed to me for things greater than you alone can imagine.”
Before Joseph could ask more of the old man’s remarks, he was lowered to the bed. The old man climbed upon Joseph. Their bodies melted together in perfect harmony. The old man kissed Joseph. The warmth and energy Joseph felt earlier returned. He gave himself over to the old man, as he had never done for any other man or woman.
Soon Joseph felt the firmness of the old man’s prick growing between his ass. Joseph lifted his legs above their bodies and allowed the old man to enter. His body tightened. His breath hitched as the thick head of the old man’s prick slipped inside. Their bodies began to rock in complete unison. Joseph felt light headed and dizzy from the firmness that was now growing more intense inside him. Heat radiated off the old man, warming and caressing his body. Sweat broke out from every pore of his nakedness, matting every thread of hair to his skin.
“I knew not of the pleasure that this would bring,” groaned Joseph as his ass opened up to admit the full length of the old man’s prick. “For the love of all greater things, mount me with all of your might.” Joseph grabbed onto his ankles and pulled his body further upon itself, a position he would not have thought possible before tonight.
The small wooden frame of the bed began to creak and groan from the forceful thrusts of the old man. Joseph relaxed even more. He could almost feel every muscle and vein of the old man’s prick moving in and out of his body. He reached down and grabbed his own member and fondled it. His furry sack tightened in response. A sudden urge like nothing Joseph had ever experienced rose deep inside of him. It grew and spread over the surface of his entire body.
“Yes, Joseph, that is the way; tighten yourself around my prick.” The old man began to pant and then to groan. “Yes, that is it. Oh, yes.” The old man shouted. His body shook as he released himself into Joseph’s ass.
Lost in the intense pleasure of being fulfilled in such a way, Joseph exploded, showering his body with his own hot seed. The old man collapsed on top of him. Their bodies shook and trembled together until the height of pleasure passed.
“You are stronger and more confident than you think,” whispered the old man. “Believe in yourself and listen closely to your heart. Follow it, and do not fear the unknown, for it is only when we let our fears control us that we do not find our true selves. Trust in yourself and you will find the rarest of all things – true happiness.” Joseph listened to the words of the old man, as sleep fell upon him.
Joseph awoke to the loudest of thundering sounds. He lay in bed trying to rid his mind of sleep as the noise shook the tiny hut. He looked around for the old man, but he was nowhere to be found. Joseph leapt out of bed and dressed himself. The thunderous noise grew louder as he approached the door of the hut. Once outside, Joseph immediately saw where the noise was coming from. There in the forest not even a few feet in front of him, a magnificent bull and a beautiful stag were preparing to fight.
The animals stopped for a moment to regard Joseph, who stared back at them in fear. Then, without showing any concern for their onlooker, the great beasts charged each other. The ground shook from the impact of their hooves and the air vibrated with their roars. The stag lowered its head in a fit of anger and thrusts its antlers into the side of the bull. The bull collapsed upon the earth and, with a few short bellows of defeat, lay dead.
Victorious, the stag turned his attention to Joseph and charged the man. Joseph, who until that moment stood motionless for what he had just witnessed, had no time to flee. The stag brought his head down and without so much as slowing down his pace, lifted Joseph up with his tines and rushed off into the great forest.
Fearing for his life, Joseph gripped the stag’s antlers, full of uncertainty over his fate. They charged through the trees, valleys, and rivers at such speed that Joseph felt sure that they were not touching the ground. The forest opened onto a vast land of rolling sandy hills. Without warning the stag came to a stop in front of a large wall made of stone. He gently tipped his head and allowed Joseph to step upon the sandy soil before rushing head long into the wall. The force of his charge opened a large door set into the wall. Flames burst out from the opening, but dwindled into a thick cloud of smoke that engulfed Joseph. The stag had disappeared. Joseph wondered at such magic. He had no idea why he had been brought to the door.
A distant voice cried out, “Do not fear. No evil shall befall you here.”
Joseph hesitated at first, but then moved towards the door. He felt he was not in control of his actions, as if a mysterious force had overtaken him and pressed him further on. The door opened up into a very large and spacious hall whose walls and ceiling were made of shiny stones. Upon each stone was carved with intricate detail an unfamiliar symbol.
“Great fortunes await you. Find yourself upon the center stone and behold wonders you never before dreamed.”
By this time Joseph’s courage had grown strong, so that he did not hesitate, and obeyed the mysterious voice. As he stepped upon the great stone, it moved beneath his feet and descended into the depths of the earth. When it had stopped and his footing was once again firm, he stepped off into a room like the one above, but with many more trinkets.
Within the stone walls were cut openings that housed beautiful crystal urns of various shapes and sizes, each of them filled with a colorful, volatile liquid. Joseph peered into one of the urns, and became instantly mesmerized by the swirling mist held within it. Behind him lay two great glass coffins, each of identical size and shape. His curiosity got the better of him, and as he peered inside he saw a miniature kingdom complete with castle, farmhouses and many other exquisitely carved items. He might not have taken his eyes away from such an extraordinary vision, except for the voice that once again spoke and begged him to turn around.
As soon as he did what the voice asked him to do his heart was swept away in an unfamiliar way. For lying in the second glass coffin was the most beautiful maiden he had ever seen. She lay there as if asleep. Her shoulders were wrapped in her long blonde hair. Her eyes were shut, but the silky red ribbon that she wore around her neck lifted as she breathed, letting Joseph know that she was in fact still alive.
As Joseph gazed upon her with a beating heart, he began to notice her facial features, which were more masculine than he first realized. He raised the heavy glass dome that enclosed her and leaned in, bringing his face nearer to hers. He ran his fingers across her cheek and felt the sharp little blades of hairs rising to the surface. His heart gave way to even more passion as he realized the beautiful “maiden” who lay before him was in fact a man.
Now with great hopes of awakening her, Joseph lowered himself closer and laid a kiss upon her lips. Her eyes fluttered quickly as the kiss ended. She awoke with a start at his closeness, but her face was immediately full of joy.
“My savior, you have finally come as I dreamed you would, delivered to me by the heavens above. Quickly, help me out of this dreadful box.”
Joseph went to work lifting her out of the coffin and carrying her to the large stone in the center of the room, where he wrapped her in a large cloak of many different colors.
“You are more handsome than my dreams foretold. Please sit with me and let me kiss you and tell you how I came to be here.” She patted a soft spot of her cloak and motioned for him to sit. As soon as Joseph did, she laid several warm kisses on his lips. They were the warmest and softest kisses Joseph could ever remember and gave rise to his needs that lay beneath his trousers.
“I was born Samuel, the son of a rich nobleman. When my parents died they awarded me to the care of my elder brother, Matthew. We loved each other very much and had most everything in common with each other, including our inclinations and desires for other men. Yet there was one difference between us, a difference that would end up tearing our world apart. While he lay with other men as a man, I’d always felt more feminine than he, as if being a man was not what had been intended for me. It was Matthew who purchased my first gown. It was then that I changed my name to Samantha, or simply Sam. We were so happy together that we vowed never to marry so that we could be together in our own little kingdom until the end of time.”
Joseph could feel the sadness of memories building around them. He kissed Sam’s cheek, tasting a tear that had fallen from her eye. She turned to him and kissed him deeply. Their tongues met for the first time, filling Joseph with a love he never thought possible. His sex grew firmer in his trousers, but he knew it was not the time for such a selfish act. “I’m sorry for my sudden weakness. Please continue your tale.”
“You are my love and I am yours. We shall forever be one, and there should never be a need to apologize for that love. But let me tell the rest of the tale. My brother and I would hold wonderful festivals for our people in the kingdom. We would dance and drink the night away. It was during one of our revelries that a stranger came to our kingdom. Matthew loved all men, but the stranger was different. Matthew became obsessed with him. Loving on him constantly and after much encouragement, he got the stranger to agree to spend a night with him.
It was during his first evening with us that my brother slipped into the stranger’s bed, expecting to be greeted warmly and with affection. But the stranger was angered and disgusted at Matthew’s advances. I could hear a great commotion happening through the floor of my room and quickly slipped on my dressing gown and followed their yelling out into the courtyard. It was then that I saw the true evil of this stranger. In his rage against us for how we lived our lives, he turned my darling brother into a stag. For the stranger was a wizard. When Matthew saw the fear in my eyes, he took off into the forest and I never saw him again.
“It was then that the stranger turned his attention to me. He charged after me and upon knocking me to the ground, he picked me up and carried me off. When I awoke, I was here, deep within this cavernous place. The stranger told me that I must renounce my ways or suffer along with my people for all eternity. I refused to pretend to be other than I was, so he used his black arts to shrink our beautiful kingdom and placed it in the first coffin. He then took all of our villagers and turned them into mist and enclosed them in the urns, before turning his black arts upon me, causing me to fall into a deep sleep.”
“But how did you awaken yourself?”
“It was not I who did that, but you. The stranger’s spell could have only been broken when a man of great virtue could be found. Once found, he would be guided to me. It was your unconditional love for me, regardless of my sex or identity, that brought me back from my slumber, for the stranger never thought possible that someone could love such a person as me.”
Joseph was full of desire and could not contain himself any longer. He kissed her, and brought her to the floor where he placed his body on top of hers and felt the stirring of her sex against his. He wasted no time in removing Sam’s dress. He nibbled and kissed her smooth torso, all the while enjoying the growing urgency of Sam’s prick against his stomach, chest and throat.
Joseph raised himself off of Sam to remove her undergarment. Her prick fell against her stomach. Joseph’s mouth went to rubbing, licking and caressing its smooth, silky skin. Soon Joseph’s face grew wet with Sam’s excitement and spittle; he raised Sam’s legs and placed them gently on his shoulders. He exposed his privates to her for the first time, stroking his prick to firm it even more.
“Do not be alarmed my love.” Joseph said as he looked upon her naked body. “I know of your purity, and will be gentle, but I feel we must marry in this way to break the final spell.”
“I trust you, Joseph, and wish as much as you to be married right here among what remains of my kingdom.”
Joseph continued to watch Sam as he entered her. The entry was tight, for no one else had breached it. He moved slowly to help release the tension. They rocked upon one another, swaying back and forth against the sandy soil, as Joseph’s prick ran in and out of her ass in long, slow thrusts.
The room began to spin around them. The air, damp and heavy with vapors swirled above them as they continued to fuck. Sweat rolled off their bodies, dampening the soil beneath them. Joseph could feel the pressure building deep inside of him, the heat of his seed boiling just beneath the surface. Sam’s body had given way to a pleasure he never knew existed. Their passions united each to the other. They had become one.
Sam reached down and began stroking her prick as Joseph swelled inside of her. Their breathing, once gentle and easy, was now hot and labored. Joseph groaned in excitement as he released himself into Sam. Wave after wave of his seed rushed into her. Not knowing when it would stop, Joseph fell upon Sam. Feeling the rush of heat deep inside of her Sam lost control and exploded her hot spunk between their nakedness.
As Joseph and Sam lay upon one another spent and exhausted, the room continued to vibrate. The walls shook, sending sand through the air. It wasn’t long before they feared for their lives. Had their marrying done more than join the two of them? They quickly dressed and rushed to the center stone. It was not as stable as before, yet it still carried them above ground to the emptiness that Joseph remembered. As the stone came to its stopping place, Joseph looked around at the beautiful kingdom that lay before them. Confronted with her kingdom as it had been in its former glory, Sam began to sob. As they stepped off the large stone, the villagers began to appear, moving about their day as if the years had not been taken from them.
Joseph and Sam heard a large roar behind them. They turned towards the sound and witnessed the large stag charging toward them. As it reached them the stag seemed to blur, then to change its shape. Matthew, Sam’s brother who had been lost to her by the evil of the stranger, stood before them.
The two siblings ran to each other and embraced. It was then that Sam introduced her brother to Joseph.
“My heart saddens at the thought of you not waiting for me, my beautiful sister.” Matthew exclaimed as he looked upon Joseph. “You and I made a promise many years past to never marry, but I see in your face you have done just that.”
“My dear brother Matthew,” Sam replied as she held his hand. “It is true that I have married, but if it were not for Joseph, we would not have reunited. We had also made a promise that I intend to keep, and that is of sharing everything with one another.”
Upon hearing Sam’s words, Matthew and Joseph looked toward each other and grasped immediately the intention to which Sam spoke.
“What kind of sister would I be, if I did not share my only love with my only brother. Go now into the bedchamber and share your bodies with one another.” She paused as she sensed their hesitation. “Please do as I say, for without the two of you in my life, I shall not be able to bear either of you alone. Go now, for I must attend to my people.”
From that day forward, Joseph, Sam and Matthew lived happily ever after.
ƒ
Joshua and His Many Men
a retelling of
Death’s Messengers
Hundreds of years ago, when the world was much smaller, a large giant whose body was covered with hair and muscles was traveling alone on a great and winding road. Without warning a strange man leapt in front of him.
“Halt,” shouted the stranger. “You may not go any farther.”
The giant laughed at this strange little man. “Do you think a creature whom I can snap in two with my fingers can block my passage?” The giant took another step closer. “Who are you that dare speak to me so boldly?”
“I am Death,” replied the other. “And as no one can defy death, you must obey me.”
Now the giant, full of anger and pride, refused to listen to this tiny creature. He chose at once to fight. Thus began a violent battle between the giant and Death. The battle raged till the sun had almost set. At last the giant gave the final blow and struck Death down with his great fist. Death fell to the ground with a mighty force and lay faint by a garden of stones. The giant went on his way, leaving Death to die.
Death lay there in such a weakened state that he could not raise himself off the ground. “What shall I do? If I stay here in this garden with no strength to go out in the world, no one will die. The world will be overrun with people and the earth and its inhabitants will eventually perish.”
As Death contemplated his own fate, a handsome young man came along the great road. He was strong and healthy, and he sang a loud song. He looked upon the fallen one and went to him. It was not however an act of compassion, for the handsome young man, was too full of his own pride and went to the stranger out of lust and desire. He fell to the earth and cradled the stranger in his arms as he poured a heavy, stout liquid from his flask for the man to drink of.
Joshua said nothing as the man drank from the flask, but his mind had turned to study this stranger. He was dressed in layers of black. The thin, sheer material draped and caressed his naked body. Joshua with growing lust studied the length and thinness of his flaccid cock as it lay wrapped in the material. Dark shadows of hair surrounded it, as if cradling it. The urge to touch it, to stroke, to coddle it began to overtake Joshua, yet he held back from his usual prowess, because the stranger did not look fit to receive any advances.
The stranger regained his strength and soon stood before Joshua, who still kneeled. The thin fabric of the stranger’s cloak waved in the warm breeze and brushed Joshua’s face. The stranger’s manhood hung between his legs. Full of boldness and mischief, Joshua was determined to seek pleasure from this man on whom he had spent his valuable time. So he reached up and fondled the stranger’s prick. It was cold to the touch, but soon began to lengthen in his grip.
“Take your hand from me this instant,” cried the stranger. “Do you not know who I am or who it is you have touched in such a manner?”
“Who you are makes no difference to me. It is your prick that I desire.”
“I am Death, and I do not make such pacts of affection with anyone in this world.”
“I expect something in return for my good deed, and what I want is your prick in my mouth.”
“You are a scoundrel. By all rights, I should claim you now.” Death reached down and pulled Joshua to his feet. “But to show my gratitude towards you for saving me from such peril, I shall spare your miserable life at least for a little while. And when your time is nearing, I will not come to you unannounced. I shall send my messengers to you as a warning that your time is near so that you may prepare yourself to leave this world behind.”
“If that is all you can offer, than I shall have to accept it, but knowing this now, I shall think twice before helping you again.” Before parting from Death, Joshua reached down once more and cupped Death’s privates in his hands, “These are too small to be any use to me anyway.” He returned to his song as he continued down the road.
Now Death knew that Joshua’s time would soon be coming to an end – and much sooner than Joshua realized. Though Joshua was strong and healthy, what mattered was the state of Joshua’s heart. Death could see that Joshua’s heart was cold, and it was that icy organ that would be his undoing.
Joshua soon reached a large village. He was pleased with the many men he saw roaming the streets, for Joshua did not have a home of his own. He traveled from village to village seducing as many men as he could for his own pleasure. He did not care about any of them. The only person that mattered to Joshua was Joshua himself. And so Joshua set about his games in this new village. Night after night he would patrol the narrow and darkened streets attracting the attention of every man in need. Some he fondled with his mouth in the darkened alleys in which they found him. Others, if they looked well suited, would be asked to take him to a more appropriate place.
One evening while Joshua slept there came a loud rap on his room’s door. He awoke with a start and listened once more, unsure whether he had heard anything at all. The rap came once more.
“Who dares awaken me in the dead of night?” He lay there in the silence: no one answered him. Then, to his astonishment, the door flew open and in came the most beautiful young man he had ever seen. The youth came to his bedside and touched Joshua’s naked body. His hands were soft and gentle and spread heat over Joshua’s skin. Beside himself with lust, Joshua pulled the man down upon him and there lay with him in the heat of passion he had never before experienced. Then Joshua fell into exhausted sleep and awoke the next morning with little breath left in him and his bedding sodden with his own sweat. He slept away the day and most of the night, until his sleep was once again disturbed by a knock on his door.
“If it is you from the night past, do not bother me with your needs, for I have been with you once, and will not do so again.” As he spoke these words, the door opened again, but the man who walked in was much different than the other. He came confidently to Joshua and undressed before proceeding to slip under the covers of the bed. His smooth body was like silk to Joshua’s touch and the green of his eyes caused Joshua’s body to burn with a desire. He placed hungry kisses upon Joshua’s lips and stirred even more passion than the previous night’s visitor.
It was then that Joshua broke his own resolve and allowed this stranger to slip inside where no one else had been sanctioned to go. The stranger’s prick was thick with need and entered Joshua with one fell swoop. The stranger thrust for hours before spending himself within Joshua’s ass. As night turned into day, Joshua awoke feeling somewhat worse than before. His head swam with dizziness and his body ached from pains. It was then that he judged he should stay in bed once more.
The next night Joshua was once again awakened by a knock at his chamber door. Even in his weakened state, he could not turn away this other man, for his needs continued to stir. He beckoned the unknown man to enter his room and was delighted to see this new man was even more handsome than the two men before him.
Joshua threw off the covers and exposed his stiffening prick to the handsome stranger. He watched with growing urgency as the stranger’s silky, black hair fell seductively across his face. The man said not a word but removed his clothing. Joshua’s prick expanded even more as his eyes gazed upon the salt and pepper hair that covered this man’s body.
To Joshua’s surprise and delight, the stranger wasted no time before mounting his body, and soon the warmth and moisture of this stranger ass surrounded Joshua’s sex. Their bodies melted together in a fit of sweat and seed, until both had spent themselves more than four times each. Joshua fell asleep the moment the sex had ended, as any small talk after desire was sated had always bored him to tears.
The next morning Joshua awoke, but only for a brief minute before sleep once again took over. He slept for two days. On the third day he awoke and felt himself much better. As he wandered the streets early that day, he felt a tap upon his shoulder. When he turned around, it was none other than Death himself.
“It is time for your departure from this world.” Death spoke as he reached out his hand to Joshua. “Follow me.”
“After all I have done for you, you dare come here to me and break your promise?”
“I have broken no vows with you.”
“Did you not promise me the day that I saved your very life, that you would send me a messenger before coming yourself? I received no notice of your intent and so I will not depart this life.”
“Silence,” bellowed Death. “I have sent my three brothers to you as messengers of my arrival. Did not my brother Fever visit you four nights past, and leave your body racked with heat and sweat? Did my second brother Dizziness not visit you three nights past and cause you bewilderment in your head and body? Did not my third brother Sleep pay a visit to you for two days and two nights where it was dark before your very eyes and did you not lie for these long days as if you were already dead?”
Joshua realized sullenly who had visited him in his room. He could make no answers to Death and so he took death by the hand and yielded to his fate.
Mr. Brightboots
a retelling of
The Boots of Buffalo Leather
Once upon a time a valiant soldier named Remington received his discharge, and as he had no other skills than that which he was trained for he was not able to go out and earn any wages. He traveled the land and begged what he could from the kindness of people he encountered. He was a strong young man, with characteristics of what many in the villages would call handsome in a rugged way. He wore a long black coat on his back and a pair of calf-high boots made of leather.
One day he was walking through a great forest and came across a handsome older man sitting by himself in a small clearing. The man was dressed in a dark and dingy riding coat. His britches were in the same condition as the rest of him. The only remarkable feature other than his handsome face was the bright green boots he wore on his feet. Needing a rest, the soldier sat down on the grass beside the stranger and stretched out his legs.
“I am Remington, a former soldier who has recently been discharged from the army. And who might you be?”
“Gustav’s my name. I am a huntsman looking for his dinner.” Gustav looked upon Remington with a desirous eye. “If you will, tell me please why a soldier of such fine shape and stature was removed from his duties as the war surely hasn’t ended.”
“Ended it has not. But my sergeant decided that I was not like the other men. Fearing that I might try to corrupt the others by becoming intimate with one of them, he discharged me.”
“Was he right in his decision?” Gustav questioned with a glimmer of hope in his eye.
“Perhaps he was. In any case, you are in good company with me. Let us talk of different things and perhaps you will come to see for yourself what type of man I really am.” Remington studied Gustav’s reaction to his words before taking up the conversation. “You have some good boots I see, which appear to be well worn.” Remington clapped his hands on the stranger’s boot and gave his foot a gentle squeeze. “Ah, but if you travel as I do, they would not last the year out. Look at mine, they are made of excellent leather and have brought me to war and back.” He unlaced his boot and slipped his foot out of them. He held it close to his face and secretly inhaled to make sure there were no offensive odors, before handing it to the handsome stranger.
“These are indeed better workmanship than mine,” Gustav responded as he turned the boot over and around in his hands. He took a deep breath and let the aroma of leather warmed by Remington’s foot caress and toy with his loneliness. He did not care if Remington had noticed, for Gustav seemed to be braver about the desires of the heart than his new companion. He handed the boot back to Remington. “But your black boots cannot compare with the color and brightness of mine.” He lifted his leg as he twisted and turned his ankle to show off his shiny green boots.
Remington smiled as he stood up, deciding to set off. “I can stay no longer as hunger and thirst drives me forward. Can you tell me where this road leads?”
“I’m sorry I cannot, as I have lost my way in the forest.”
“As you and I are both lost in this forest, will you do me the honor of accompanying me? Perhaps we can find our way out of here together.” Remington held out his hand, which Gustav readily accepted. “I shall call you Mr. Brightboots, and you can call me Remy.” Gustav smiled at his newly acquired name and they walked off hand and hand into the forest.
They walked further and further into the thick, wooded area until the sky was dark and their vision dim. As night surrounded them, they saw a faint light shining through the trees. They followed the light and came upon a stone house. When they knocked upon on the door, an old woman greeted them with alarm.
“Forgive us for intruding. I am Remington and this is my companion, Mr. Brightboots. As it is late, we are looking for a place to rest for the night and perhaps nourish our stomachs, for we have not eaten in days.”
“You cannot stay here in this house,” replied the old woman. “For this is a house of liars, murderers and thieves. You would do well to get away before they return or else you will perish at their hands.”
“Surely they cannot be as bad as that.” Remington frowned at the woman.
“They have done worse to those who cross their path for much less.”
“It matters not to me, for it is all the same whether I die by their hands or die of hunger in the forest.” Remington stepped forward.
“Very well, but you have been warned.”
Now Mr. Brightboots stood still in fear of entering the house, but Remington with his brave heart took him by the hand. “You have nothing to fear, my Mr. Brightboots, for I shall not let one hair on your head be harmed.” He closed the space between them and laid a kiss upon Gustav’s lips. He lingered, enjoying the warmth and fullness. They broke the kiss as they entered the house.
“Slip in here,” ordered the old woman, “behind the stove, and if the men leave anything after they are finished, I shall bring it to you while they sleep off their meal.”
Within a very short time after they hid behind the stove, six men came through the door and seated themselves at the table, which was already set to welcome them. Remington, from behind the safety of the stove, watched as the old woman brought them great quantities of roast meats and roots.
The leader of the gang was a beast of a man and towered over the others. His large muscular frame was evident even behind the layers of his clothes. His face, what could be seen of it through the thick unruly beard, looked older than his healthy body appeared.
Remington whispered to his companion, “I surely cannot hold out any longer. I shall show myself and sit at their table.”
“You will bring death to us both,” whispered Mr. Brightboots, who held him by the arm. Ignoring his companion’s worries, Remington stood up and walked out from behind the stove.
“Who are you and what are you doing here?” cried the leader. “Have you been sent here to spy on our activities? If so, I will kill you with nothing more than my bare hands.”
“You should learn to be more civil to guests in your home,” replied Remington. “I am a former soldier and nothing more. I am hungry and wish to eat. When I am done you can do what you wish with me.”
“You are indeed a soldier, for you have no fear. Come sit and eat with us then. But you shall not leave here alive.”
Remington placed himself at one of the empty chairs and filled his plate with an assortment of meats and roots. “Mr. Brightboots, come and eat with me, for you must be as hungry as I and you cannot find any better meal than the one that the old lady has set.”
Gustav stood from behind that stove and nervously took the seat next to Remington. The smell of the meal that was spread out before him overcame his fears and soon his plate was overflowing with the hot food. As the food became scarce upon the table, Remington called out, “I have had enough food, now bring us something good to drink.”
The leader of the gang appeared astounded by the boldness and bravery that Remington had displayed. “Old woman, do as the soldier requests and bring us a bottle of the finest wine from the cellar.”
Remington opened the bottle and took a hefty smell of the contents. “This is a fine wine for our celebration.”
“Yes, celebrate your last drink.” The gang leader laughed and the other men followed his lead.
Remington stood up and raised the bottle in front of him. “May each of you enjoy long lives that are merry and gay. May you find love in your hearts for one another and all of mankind.”
Remington took a deep drink of the fiery liquid and waved the bottle over the heads of the men. As he took another hearty drink the six men rose to their feet. Their clothes had been transformed into beautiful garments made of the finest materials. They laughed and kissed upon each other and fondled each other’s privates.
Gustav rose in surprise. “You have quite a way with trickery and other wicked arts.”
“They are only wicked, my dear Mr. Brightboots, if you use them for wicked things. My tricks are for the betterment of all mankind.”
“I don’t believe I properly introduced myself to you,” remarked the leader of the gang. “I am Solomon, leader of this pack of merry men.” He brought himself closer to Remington. “You are quite a fine man.” He ran his hand down Remington’s chest. “It would be an honor to bed with you this evening and allow you to spill your seed with me.”
“My dear Solomon, I am flattered by your words, but cannot accept your offer of pleasure as my heart is bound to Mr. Brightboots.” Remington reached out and intertwined his fingers with Gustav’s. “It appears, however, that your men have found pleasure with each other. Perhaps you should join them and become even better acquainted with your pack of men.”
Solomon looked over his shoulder as his men busied themselves with removing their clothes. They fondled and giggled, they kissed and coddled each other, as their pricks grew thick with desire. Solomon turned back. “It was a pleasure to meet you, my fine man. If ever you feel the need to busy yourself with someone other than your intended, please think of me. I will always welcome you into my chambers.” As he spoke the last of his words, he bowed to the two strangers and then joined the other men.