Chapter 7
The Statue Room
Mr. Keeper led the trio along the room explaining to Tommy that the many statues were of animals of the forest that had since past away, but that all had something in common. They had contributed something of great importance at some time in their life to the well-being of the forest and its occupants:
“There is a story to tell of each and every one of them,” Mr. Keeper said proudly. “You will no doubt in time hear about some of them,” he said to Tommy.
Esmeralda smiled as she listened to the pair talking, and was pleased that they were getting on well together. Of course Esmeralda had heard many stories about the statues from Mr. Keeper over the years since they first met, when she was introduced by Damatrisa as a child.
Every one of the stories had enthralled her and stayed in her memory ever since. Many of them were quite wonderful, and awe-inspiring to say the least. Tommy stopped at one of the statues of a magnificent tiger standing on a rock pedestal with a fish in its mouth.
“Isn’t she a beauty?” remarked Tommy.
“Yes, I think I will let Esmeralda explain about her,” he said with a smile.
Esmeralda explained to Tommy that the statue was of Sabre’s mother, who herself had played an important part in the history of the forest; she had well earned her position in the statue room. Whilst they were talking, Saber had climbed upon the rock and was now lying beside the statue of her mother as if she knew.
Tommy couldn’t hold back his tears and they now flowed freely. He felt embarrassed at this. He felt like running out of the room. Saber seeing his distress jumped down to him and he hugged her, sobbing uncontrollably as she licked the tears from his face.
Mr. Keeper placed his hand on Tommy’s shoulder in a comforting way and turned to Esmeralda.
“The boy has a lot of feelings,” he said in a quiet voice. “Something he should not to be ashamed of.”
“Yes,” replied Esmeralda, “he is a very good lad and has taken to Saber since they first met.”
Mr. Keeper still in a quiet voice asked Esmeralda if on this occasion she might intervene to correct the matter of Tommy being so upset. Esmeralda opened the black bag that she was carrying and took out a small round silver box.
She opened it and said a few words, taking a pinch of the contents and sprinkling it over Tommy’s head as he cuddled Saber. It had an immediate effect on him. He suddenly started to laugh, and cheer up once again, as if nothing had happened.
Mr. Keeper smiled at Esmeralda and they all laughed until tears were streaming down their faces, and everything was as it was before. The four of them continued on past the many statues, still laughing now and again, and not knowing what they were laughing for, but that didn’t matter.
The fact was, they were all very happy now, and ready to enjoy the feast that Mr. Keeper had spoken of when they arrived.
“Come, through here, my friends.” Mr. Keeper said opening the first of three doors at the end of the statue room. “And of course, ladies first, Esmeralda if you please,” he said ushering them into the room.
To say that the dining room was large would be an understatement. It was huge and well lit with lamps placed every few feet in alcoves along the walls. The walls were painted with every different kind of tree. The ceiling depicted the four seasons of the year, spring, summer, autumn and winter. How beautiful it was.
There were painted pictures of spring flowers, daffodils, tulips, crocus, snowdrops and violets on one part of the ceiling. On another part were summer flowers of carnations, sweat peas, petunias, fucias, geraniums, lupines, and a host of others.
Autumn was shown in the colours of the falling leaves together with pansies, chestnut trees and all kinds of birds in flight, emigrating to warmer climates. Winter had holly trees and snowflakes and icy lakes with swans upon them.
Taking the centre of the stage on the ceiling was a painting of the sun, casting its rays to the far corners of the room. The floor had a covering of red and gold carpet. A huge dining table of solid oak ran the length of the room with high backed chairs in blue covers seated all around it.
A large clock with the face of the moon, chimed 10 o’clock. The table was set for many guests with silver plates and dishes, candelabras, wine glasses and knives, forks and spoons. The whole display was quite breathtaking for Tommy. He stood there with his mouth half open in amazement, whilst Esmeralda and Mr. Keeper had a smile across their faces.
Esmeralda has clearly seen this all before, thought Tommy as he glanced at them both.
“Come now,” said Mr. Keeper leading them along to the end of the dining table. He sat himself down at the head of the table in a somewhat larger chair than all the others.
“Esmeralda, if you would be so kind,” he said, gesturing to a chair to his right.
“And, Tommy,” he continued, gesturing to his left side.
Saber had taken her place next to Esmeralda’s feet, stretching herself out on the carpet next to her black bag, that she’d placed on the floor. The keeper of the forest explained that they would be the only one’s attending on this particular occasion, as he thought it fitting that he welcome his good friend Esmeralda in the style that she deserved.
Esmeralda bowed her head towards Mr. Keeper to acknowledge his polite reference to their friendship.
“And of course,” he continued, “I welcome, Tommy who has been accepted by my good friend, Esmeralda and her companion, Saber.”
Tommy thought it best to bow his head too in acknowledgement, which he did and Mr. Keeper looked pleased with Tommy’s gesture, nodding in reply.
“And now we shall eat and enjoy each other’s company,” said Mr. Keeper picking up a hand bell from the table where he sat.
He gave a shake of the bell, which rang out clearly in the large room and a door opened almost immediately. In walked a butler dressed very smart, in a dark evening suite, white shirt, black tie, and white gloves. What stood out to Tommy besides his smartness was his height. He was unbelievably small; only about 3 feet tall, barely reaching the dining table top…he bowed low to Mr. Keeper.
Mr. Keeper then proceeded to explain to Tommy that the butler was his most trusted servant, and that his name was Malcolm. The butler gave a bow to Tommy who nodded in return.
“Of course, Esmeralda has met Malcolm on many occasions,” said Mr. Keeper with a smile. Esmeralda bowing her head once again in acknowledgement.
“May I serve dinner, Sir?” Malcolm Asked, in a quiet voice.
“Yes please, Malcolm, my guests and I are all quite ready thank you,” came Mr. Keepers reply.
Malcolm bowed low and left the room as quietly as he came in. Tommy looked around the dining room at its splendour and wonderful paintings. He was overwhelmed by the lavish silverware on the table and was taken aback by it all.
He thought about his gran back at the house and wondered what she would make of all this splendour. If only she could see him sitting there now.
It’s going to be hard to explain to her all the happenings here today he thought to himself still gazing around.
Tommy’s thoughts were interrupted with the return of Malcolm wheeling in a serving trolley on wheels; it carried a silver container with handles on it. Malcolm removed the lid from the container, and proceeded to serve the contents with a large ladle, starting with Mr. Keeper.
“Ah, my favourite soup,” said Mr. Keeper, sniffing as it was placed before him.
Malcolm then went to Esmeralda and Tommy in turn serving them a generous portion before placing a bowl of water next to Saber. Malcolm bowed low again and left the room with the serving trolley as quietly again as he came. Mr. Keeper began to speak;
“God bless this forest, and all that live in her,” he said picking up his silver soup spoon.
“Aye” -, said Esmeralda.
“Aye”- , said Tommy hoping he had said the right thing and the three of them commenced eating the soup before them, which smelled delicious. At the first taste Tommy knew that he’d never had anything like this before at home with his gran, although she was a very good cook. It was absolutely beautiful, with a taste of its own and a hint of a vegetable that he couldn’t make out.
After a while, Esmeralda and Mr. Keeper smiled to each other as they noticed that Tommy had finished before they had got half way through their own. Malcolm was soon back again to clear the soup dishes.
“Is everything to your liking, Sir?” Malcolm asked, speaking directly to Mr. Keeper.
“Yes, excellent,” he replied, “excellent, excellent, and excellent,” he repeated.
Malcolm bowed and left the room returning again with another serving trolley, which held the main course in many containers. Starting again with the Keeper he proceeded to serve the contents of each container onto the largest of the plates set before them in ample portions and steaming hot. It really did smell delicious and inviting.
Tommy could hardly wait to get started. After Malcolm had left the room Mr. Keeper made to speak again:
“God bless this forest and all that live in her,” he said as before.
“Aye” - , said Esmeralda,
“Aye” - , said Tommy with more confidence now than before and a little louder.
They all laughed as they started to tuck into their main meal whilst Saber began to eat from a special dish that Malcolm had placed beside her on the floor, containing appropriate food for a tiger.
The main course was delicious and consisted of pure vegetables with no meat whatsoever and heavy scented gravy that tasted out of this world.
“What a wonderful meal,” said Tommy cheerfully as he continued to enjoy it. Esmeralda nodding her head in agreement as she too continued with her meal.
“Oh thank you, Tommy,” replied Mr. Keeper: “As you may have probably noticed, we don’t eat any animal meat here in the forest,” He explained. “My job is to protect all living creatures of the forest, and to see that the forest life runs smoothly day to day, and hour by hour.”
“In fact there is nothing that goes on in the forest that I don’t know about,” he proudly continued to say.
“I even knew of the very moment you all set foot in the forest to make your way here,” he said with a friendly smile, “and that’s how come the food was prepared ready for your arrival”.
Malcolm was back again now as they had all finished their meal, and was already in the process of clearing away the dinner plates in his usual quiet manner. Saber yawned as she stretched herself on the carpet beside Esmeralda. Everyone was contented after their lovely meal but at the same time, Tommy had many questions he’d like to ask Mr. Keeper.
He wondered whether it was the right time or would it be impolite to do so. After all he had only met him for the first time today, and the last thing he wanted was to upset him. No, I’d better wait, he thought to himself.
The Statue Room
Mr. Keeper led the trio along the room explaining to Tommy that the many statues were of animals of the forest that had since past away, but that all had something in common. They had contributed something of great importance at some time in their life to the well-being of the forest and its occupants:
“There is a story to tell of each and every one of them,” Mr. Keeper said proudly. “You will no doubt in time hear about some of them,” he said to Tommy.
Esmeralda smiled as she listened to the pair talking, and was pleased that they were getting on well together. Of course Esmeralda had heard many stories about the statues from Mr. Keeper over the years since they first met, when she was introduced by Damatrisa as a child.
Every one of the stories had enthralled her and stayed in her memory ever since. Many of them were quite wonderful, and awe-inspiring to say the least. Tommy stopped at one of the statues of a magnificent tiger standing on a rock pedestal with a fish in its mouth.
“Isn’t she a beauty?” remarked Tommy.
“Yes, I think I will let Esmeralda explain about her,” he said with a smile.
Esmeralda explained to Tommy that the statue was of Sabre’s mother, who herself had played an important part in the history of the forest; she had well earned her position in the statue room. Whilst they were talking, Saber had climbed upon the rock and was now lying beside the statue of her mother as if she knew.
Tommy couldn’t hold back his tears and they now flowed freely. He felt embarrassed at this. He felt like running out of the room. Saber seeing his distress jumped down to him and he hugged her, sobbing uncontrollably as she licked the tears from his face.
Mr. Keeper placed his hand on Tommy’s shoulder in a comforting way and turned to Esmeralda.
“The boy has a lot of feelings,” he said in a quiet voice. “Something he should not to be ashamed of.”
“Yes,” replied Esmeralda, “he is a very good lad and has taken to Saber since they first met.”
Mr. Keeper still in a quiet voice asked Esmeralda if on this occasion she might intervene to correct the matter of Tommy being so upset. Esmeralda opened the black bag that she was carrying and took out a small round silver box.
She opened it and said a few words, taking a pinch of the contents and sprinkling it over Tommy’s head as he cuddled Saber. It had an immediate effect on him. He suddenly started to laugh, and cheer up once again, as if nothing had happened.
Mr. Keeper smiled at Esmeralda and they all laughed until tears were streaming down their faces, and everything was as it was before. The four of them continued on past the many statues, still laughing now and again, and not knowing what they were laughing for, but that didn’t matter.
The fact was, they were all very happy now, and ready to enjoy the feast that Mr. Keeper had spoken of when they arrived.
“Come, through here, my friends.” Mr. Keeper said opening the first of three doors at the end of the statue room. “And of course, ladies first, Esmeralda if you please,” he said ushering them into the room.
To say that the dining room was large would be an understatement. It was huge and well lit with lamps placed every few feet in alcoves along the walls. The walls were painted with every different kind of tree. The ceiling depicted the four seasons of the year, spring, summer, autumn and winter. How beautiful it was.
There were painted pictures of spring flowers, daffodils, tulips, crocus, snowdrops and violets on one part of the ceiling. On another part were summer flowers of carnations, sweat peas, petunias, fucias, geraniums, lupines, and a host of others.
Autumn was shown in the colours of the falling leaves together with pansies, chestnut trees and all kinds of birds in flight, emigrating to warmer climates. Winter had holly trees and snowflakes and icy lakes with swans upon them.
Taking the centre of the stage on the ceiling was a painting of the sun, casting its rays to the far corners of the room. The floor had a covering of red and gold carpet. A huge dining table of solid oak ran the length of the room with high backed chairs in blue covers seated all around it.
A large clock with the face of the moon, chimed 10 o’clock. The table was set for many guests with silver plates and dishes, candelabras, wine glasses and knives, forks and spoons. The whole display was quite breathtaking for Tommy. He stood there with his mouth half open in amazement, whilst Esmeralda and Mr. Keeper had a smile across their faces.
Esmeralda has clearly seen this all before, thought Tommy as he glanced at them both.
“Come now,” said Mr. Keeper leading them along to the end of the dining table. He sat himself down at the head of the table in a somewhat larger chair than all the others.
“Esmeralda, if you would be so kind,” he said, gesturing to a chair to his right.
“And, Tommy,” he continued, gesturing to his left side.
Saber had taken her place next to Esmeralda’s feet, stretching herself out on the carpet next to her black bag, that she’d placed on the floor. The keeper of the forest explained that they would be the only one’s attending on this particular occasion, as he thought it fitting that he welcome his good friend Esmeralda in the style that she deserved.
Esmeralda bowed her head towards Mr. Keeper to acknowledge his polite reference to their friendship.
“And of course,” he continued, “I welcome, Tommy who has been accepted by my good friend, Esmeralda and her companion, Saber.”
Tommy thought it best to bow his head too in acknowledgement, which he did and Mr. Keeper looked pleased with Tommy’s gesture, nodding in reply.
“And now we shall eat and enjoy each other’s company,” said Mr. Keeper picking up a hand bell from the table where he sat.
He gave a shake of the bell, which rang out clearly in the large room and a door opened almost immediately. In walked a butler dressed very smart, in a dark evening suite, white shirt, black tie, and white gloves. What stood out to Tommy besides his smartness was his height. He was unbelievably small; only about 3 feet tall, barely reaching the dining table top…he bowed low to Mr. Keeper.
Mr. Keeper then proceeded to explain to Tommy that the butler was his most trusted servant, and that his name was Malcolm. The butler gave a bow to Tommy who nodded in return.
“Of course, Esmeralda has met Malcolm on many occasions,” said Mr. Keeper with a smile. Esmeralda bowing her head once again in acknowledgement.
“May I serve dinner, Sir?” Malcolm Asked, in a quiet voice.
“Yes please, Malcolm, my guests and I are all quite ready thank you,” came Mr. Keepers reply.
Malcolm bowed low and left the room as quietly as he came in. Tommy looked around the dining room at its splendour and wonderful paintings. He was overwhelmed by the lavish silverware on the table and was taken aback by it all.
He thought about his gran back at the house and wondered what she would make of all this splendour. If only she could see him sitting there now.
It’s going to be hard to explain to her all the happenings here today he thought to himself still gazing around.
Tommy’s thoughts were interrupted with the return of Malcolm wheeling in a serving trolley on wheels; it carried a silver container with handles on it. Malcolm removed the lid from the container, and proceeded to serve the contents with a large ladle, starting with Mr. Keeper.
“Ah, my favourite soup,” said Mr. Keeper, sniffing as it was placed before him.
Malcolm then went to Esmeralda and Tommy in turn serving them a generous portion before placing a bowl of water next to Saber. Malcolm bowed low again and left the room with the serving trolley as quietly again as he came. Mr. Keeper began to speak;
“God bless this forest, and all that live in her,” he said picking up his silver soup spoon.
“Aye” -, said Esmeralda.
“Aye”- , said Tommy hoping he had said the right thing and the three of them commenced eating the soup before them, which smelled delicious. At the first taste Tommy knew that he’d never had anything like this before at home with his gran, although she was a very good cook. It was absolutely beautiful, with a taste of its own and a hint of a vegetable that he couldn’t make out.
After a while, Esmeralda and Mr. Keeper smiled to each other as they noticed that Tommy had finished before they had got half way through their own. Malcolm was soon back again to clear the soup dishes.
“Is everything to your liking, Sir?” Malcolm asked, speaking directly to Mr. Keeper.
“Yes, excellent,” he replied, “excellent, excellent, and excellent,” he repeated.
Malcolm bowed and left the room returning again with another serving trolley, which held the main course in many containers. Starting again with the Keeper he proceeded to serve the contents of each container onto the largest of the plates set before them in ample portions and steaming hot. It really did smell delicious and inviting.
Tommy could hardly wait to get started. After Malcolm had left the room Mr. Keeper made to speak again:
“God bless this forest and all that live in her,” he said as before.
“Aye” - , said Esmeralda,
“Aye” - , said Tommy with more confidence now than before and a little louder.
They all laughed as they started to tuck into their main meal whilst Saber began to eat from a special dish that Malcolm had placed beside her on the floor, containing appropriate food for a tiger.
The main course was delicious and consisted of pure vegetables with no meat whatsoever and heavy scented gravy that tasted out of this world.
“What a wonderful meal,” said Tommy cheerfully as he continued to enjoy it. Esmeralda nodding her head in agreement as she too continued with her meal.
“Oh thank you, Tommy,” replied Mr. Keeper: “As you may have probably noticed, we don’t eat any animal meat here in the forest,” He explained. “My job is to protect all living creatures of the forest, and to see that the forest life runs smoothly day to day, and hour by hour.”
“In fact there is nothing that goes on in the forest that I don’t know about,” he proudly continued to say.
“I even knew of the very moment you all set foot in the forest to make your way here,” he said with a friendly smile, “and that’s how come the food was prepared ready for your arrival”.
Malcolm was back again now as they had all finished their meal, and was already in the process of clearing away the dinner plates in his usual quiet manner. Saber yawned as she stretched herself on the carpet beside Esmeralda. Everyone was contented after their lovely meal but at the same time, Tommy had many questions he’d like to ask Mr. Keeper.
He wondered whether it was the right time or would it be impolite to do so. After all he had only met him for the first time today, and the last thing he wanted was to upset him. No, I’d better wait, he thought to himself.