WFFF

7/13/26 (1) What I like: The intense interaction between Jemima and the fox as he tries to eat her and her eggs.

-She went away to find a safe place to build a nest because she yearns to be a mother.

(2) Why I like it: The interaction is suspenseful, riveting, I wanted to know what will happen next.

-The longing to be a mother makes sense an it’s natural.

(3) Techniques: What makes that interaction so good?

-It’s funny the way they talk, one trying to intentionally trick the other.

-The author gives clues through out the story, however, Jemima isn’t able to figure out because she’s a simpleton and maybe she’s too preoccupied with her desire to be a mother.

-To be able to trick someone, a person has to have the things that the other person wants, i.e. feathered bed, a soft and comfy place to build a nest.

A duck who yearns to be a mother would love to build a nest in a soft and comfy place, not a hard rocky location.

(4) My story: A wealthy son of a rich merchant yearned to be a knight/hero. One day he decided to go on a journey alone to save poor helpless people against bad people. “I want to save people so that they will respect and honor me.” His mother, knowing her son well, tried many ways to stop him from going on this dangerous trip to no avail. So she bought him a strong horse, beautiful clothing, swords and armors. She also gave him a bag of gold coins and waved farewell with tears in her eyes.

He went to the road out of the big city into the wild. One day he passed through a small village where houses were few and far in between. A man and a teenage boy looked at him with wide eyes on the side of the dirt road.

“Greetings my lord!”

“Please don’t call me that. I am a knight.”

“Greetings knight. Where are you headed?”

“Nowhere in particular. I am here to protect common people against evil men.”

“Perfect! We have an injustice…”

“Injustice? Yes pray tell. I am here to serve.”

“Mr. knight, please come inside,” the man whispered, “it’s better to talk in private.”

“Ahh, yes. Privacy…privacy is necessary in important matters.”

He got off his beautiful white horse. The teenage boy took the rein and tied it to an oak tree on the side of the house.

When they walked through the open door and entered the house, the man offered to take his armor and his bag of gold coin.

“Knight, please let me take your armor and that bag off you so you can feel more light and comfy.”

“Ah thank you for your hospitality, kind…”

“I am just a common man…I don’t have a title for you to address.”

“Ah I did not know that. Thank you nonetheless.”

He took off his armor and hand it to the man who took it eagerly and put it on the small bed by the wall.

“Knight, let me take your cloak as well. It’s a hot day.”

The knight hesitated for a moment then agreed to take his cloak off.

The man glanced at the bag of gold coin for a brief moment. He had been trying hard not to look at it.

“Knight, the bag as well.”

The knight looked at the bag, considered it for a moment, then said.

“Thank you but I will keep that bag with me.”

The man and the boy looked at each other briefly then quickly the man smiled.

“All is well knight. Would you like a cup of water? We are poor common people and don’t have fancy tea or other refreshers.”

“Don’t worry, kind sir. Water would suffice.”

The man made a signal to his son to go to kitchen for water. As the boy were leaving for the kitchen, the man offered the knight a seat at the dirty wooden table and found himself a seat opposite of the knight.

“So kind sir, what is this injustice that you mentioned earlier?” Knight asked eagerly, “There are few things in this world I would love to do more than offering my assistance to eradicate injustice.”

“Ah you are very kind and courageous,” said the man,” Your kindness is greatly appreciated, Mr. Knight.”

“Please just call me knight.”

“Ah, knight…so there’s this notorious group of thieves from somewhere up in the mountain. Nobody knows where they live but I do though nobody has the courage and passion needed to travel up the rugged mountain to find and bring them to justice.”

He listened attentively to every word, and couldn’t help but showed excitement on his face.

“So where do they live?”

“They live in a cave in the wooded area about mid way up the majestic mountain.”

“Oh Oh can you take me there? I will bring them to justice, that I will do.”

“Knight, are you sure? You are but only one person, and there are maybe about ten of them.”

“That wouldn’t be a problem at all.”

“And I also saw some women and children with them.”

“Women and children?”

“Yes, most likely women that they kidnapped and had children with.”

“Hmmm those damn bandit! I will bring them to justice or I will die.”

“Thank you knight. Where have you been all our lives?

“In Crocos city.”

“Ah, I heard of its beauty and prosperity.”

“I like it here more, to be honest with ya. Anyways can you take me there? I will take care of those nasty bandits.”

“It’s getting late. I can take you there tomorrow if that’s fine with you.”

“Yes, Yes, we leave first thing in the morning.”

“Yes, knight. I will be ready when the rooster crows.”

He smiled broadly, nodding his head and reaching for the water.

“Knight, we have prepared a simple meal for you. Please honor us with your presence at our dining table.”

“Yes, thank you, kind sir.”

As they were sitting down at the wooden table, the man got out a glass of wine and offered it to the knight.

“Ah thank you, kind sir, but I will enjoy your simple meal but I don’t believe it’s wise to drink the night before a battle.”

“You are wise indeed, knight. A glass of wine shouldn’t affect your strength and sword skills? I doubt it. You will handle the bandits with ease.”

“You are right. One glass wouldn’t hurt.”

He took the wine glass and raised it to his nose to smell quickly.

“Oh the fragrance!”

He took a sip and nodded his head.

“I can’t believe there’s such wine of this quality in a place like this…”

He caught himself and apologized, “My apologies, kind sir. I didn’t mean to disrespect you and your home.”

“No apologies needed, knight! You see, we only crack the barrow for guests of significant importance and honor such as yourself.”

He nodded and emptied the wine glass. He looked down at the food on the table, and saw nothing enticing. Out of politeness, he nibbled the steamed pumpkin then put the whole piece in his mouth. The man offered another glass of wine and he quickly grabbed and drank it eagerly with food still in his mouth. It was easy to wash to down with delicious wine, he thought.

He looked at the rest of the food on the table and decided that he was no longer hungry.

“Have you ever fought bandits before, knight?” the man asked, offering him another glass of wine.

“Unfortunately, I have not. But I have fought my friends, cousins, and servants all my life and I haven’t lost a bout yet.”

“That is impressive indeed, knight. How did you learn your sword skills?”

He gave it another sip.

“Mostly I learned it myself. I had a few sword masters when I was young but after than I worked and developed sword skills myself.”

“Truly, knight?”

“Yes, truly. I am a passionate student of sword skills. I’ve devoted all my life to learn and polish my skills.”

To be continued.