Dogwood

                                                                                Dogwood                                        February 27, 2025


                    Sometimes, the most remarkable and amazing things happen to the most common kith – even in the moderately forested land of Dogwood. On one such common day, in the early season, before full summer, one common human dwarf had such an unexpected day. Because he was working in his vegetable garden earlier and had to wash, Fluö(Flay), who lives in the east woods of Dogwood, struggled to carry a metal pale of water into his modest cabin from his stone well.

                    Then, infinite moments later, – approaching footsteps – as tempted as he was, he thought, It’s best to wait for the visitor to knock before opening one’s door; it would be rude otherwise. I mean, suppose he intended to surprise me, or it was a matter of secrecy. Then, he would be taken back if his plan, from the start, was foiled.
So, Fluö waited and waited still.
                    Bang! Bang!
It was a reverberating knock like a hollow drum.
It wasn’t an elf’s hand. He thought.
                    “Do you have any gumbles?” the well-dressed visitor asked straight away.
                    “My,” Fluö said, “for a beggar, you’re extravagantly dressed, and yes, I do if you’re hungry. As for myself, I’ve already eaten my broizch.” (Broy-sh: a mid-day meal).
                   “Ha! Ha! Ho!” heartily laughed the visitor, “No, my boy! I am not here beggin’. Let’s go in your stump first.”
                   “Can you lighten the room a bit? I prefer to see who’s in the shadows – no offense!”
                   “None Taken.”
Then he walked to the rear, left corner fumbling with something and mumbling to himself. After a few moments, he emerged with a lighted lantern, but it didn’t have anything inside that caused any light; the light just emanate from it (in the right brightness)
                   “Now it is I who wishes not to offend you, but I prefer to know to who I am speaking when I permit them into my home. “ said Fluö.