Gifts of the Wise

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"Are you a man or a woman?"

Gifts of the Wise

by Erin Halfelven

 
"What do you call that instrument you're playing?" the large man at one of the nearest tables asked.

Rae smiled. That sort of question came up at almost every performance. At least, those where the audience sat close enough to ask. "I call her, 'Gizmalena Ottano Bellatrixie Gildenlark Don't-Tell-Your-Mama Harpenstein' but his real name is 'Smoochie'." And so saying, Rae delivered a large, apparently juicy, theatrical kiss to the ribbed, pear-shaped body of the instrument.

Everyone laughed and the large man turned red in the face but he laughed, too. Rae ran a gurgling, recurring decrescendo on the strings in accompaniment. "No, I mean, what kind of instrument is it?" The large man persisted. "It looks like a banjo mated with a fiddle and raised their son to be a mandolin." More laughter.

Sitting up straight, Rae looked down a haughty nose and plucked a quavering, questioning chord, "That, sir, would be a ukelele." More laughs from the crowd. "Smoochie here is a luth-th-th." Rae's enunciation owed more to Sylvester Pussycat than to Renaissance French, but it was indeed a luth, the mandolin-like relative of the modern guitar with the typical "broken neck" Araby design, six courses double-strung in silver-wrapped gut and wire.

Keeping up a chuckling rhythm, the luth seemed to laugh in two keys at once. Using the little finger for stability, Rae wore a thimble-style plectrum on thumb and three fingers, like someone playing a steel guitar. It made possible an incredible density and complexity to the sounds produced by the antique instrument. Possible, at least, for someone with nearly inhuman dexterity and talent.

The large man caught his breath. "Where does it come from?"

"Ffrom Ffrance, by way of Damascuthth," sprayed Rae. "She was made by a Swiss luthier. That's a luth perthon who makes tight luths."

And while they still rocked and roared with laughter, Rae began to sing, singing the first line twice to let them get quiet and listen.

I wore the green of Lincoln with that outlaw Robin Hood.
Yes, I wore the green of Lincoln with that outlaw Robin Hood,
And we lived as was our pleasure in the forest of Sherwood.
They had a name they called me, 'twas Alan o' the Dale,
But that was long ago and far away and I already told the tale.
 
I crossed the waves on another time with old Teach they called Blackbeard,
We thought we were the boldest braves and never a man we feared.
They had a name they called me but it seems to've slipped my mind.
That was long ago and far away and maybe once upon a time.
 
I've lived a hundred lifetimes, you may think that I'm insane,
But once they called me Roland -- I think that was the name,
And when I blew that horn of mine to my side the chieftain came.
 
I played Dixie at Antietam when Lee gave Grant his sword
Or maybe it was Yankee Doodle, I don't remember what color I wore.
I beat a drum for Wellington, and I played a harp for Saul
And I made up songs for Billy in the Lincoln County War.
 
I carried a spear for Caesar, I just don't remember which one.
I carried a hod on the zigguraut, I don't know what I haven't done.
But mostly I've made music, with horn and lute and fife,
And it seems to me that's not so bad a way to spend a life.
 
For I've lived a hundred of them, and my name is Ysraefel.
But once they called me Joshua -- there's a story that they tell
That when I blew that horn of mine the walls of the city fell.
 
And I wore the green of Lincoln in the forest of Sherwood
And what we did we thought we did what we did was good.
They had a name they called me but it's been such a long long time
So long ago, so far way and maybe -- once upon a time.

The audience clapped when they realized the song had finished and Rae gave them eight more tunes -- familiar ones like Greensleeves, Sweet Betsy from Pike, three Simon and Garfunkel tunes, a Harry Chapin, a John Lennon, and one by Carly Simon. After the last, the crowd drifted away a bit or turned at their tables to speak to one another, magically allowing the musician time to take a break.

Rae put the luth away, taking out a blues guitar. The metal resonator glistened in the spotlight as loving hands set the instrument up where it could easily reach temperature equilibrium with the room. No metal-topped guitar would ever sound right played cold and Rae knew the individual peculiarities of every one of over fifty instruments after years of traveling together in the old Volkswagen van.

One lady still sat at her little round table front and center before the tiny stage watching Rae's little rituals. She wore a black tube skirt and an elegant white blouse with ruffles at neck and cuffs and a pleated bib front. Three necklaces, one of cut crystal, one of graduated pearls and one of brass tubelets matched similar bracelets. An empty cocktail glass sat in front of her and she rested her hands on the table, cupping her fingers around the stem.

After placing a ten-hole harmonica in a brace, Rae turned to the woman and arched one eyebrow. She nodded and Rae pulled over a chair from another table and sat down opposite her. A waiter silently placed a glass of German wheat beer in front of the musician and took away the woman's cocktail glass when she shook her head. Rae placed one slender hand on top of hers and asked, "Do you still sing?"

She shook her head again. "I'm not that brave," she said in a soft contralto. "How did you know I used to sing?"

Rae smiled, offering no elaboration but a simple, "I watched you."

"We've never met before. You don't know anything about me," she said.

"Nothing you haven't told me," Rae agreed.

She looked at the slender hand resting now between hers. Rae's nails were short while hers were long and painted. She looked back up. "Are you a man or a woman?" she asked.

"Are you?" Rae asked, still smiling.

* * *

Later they made love in the noisy bed of a nearby motel, squeaky music of springs and sighs. "I'd like to sing again," she said while they rested together like spoons in tattered velvet.

"Why don't you?" asked Rae.

"I'm afraid," she admitted. "I sang..." she trailed off.

Rae's fingers traced her neck gently. "You still sing, you just don't let anyone else hear you. You're afraid people will think your voice too low for a woman's?"

She nodded. "You have such an incredible range. No one would know?"

"Know what?" Rae asked, smiling.

"Whether you're a man or a woman?"

Rae laughed softly. "We just made love and you're still not sure?"

She stared for a moment then dissolved into giggles.

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Comments

Very Cute Story Erin, I Like Your

Story and the personality of Rae, especially her last line. She really hit it off with her friend.
May Your Light Forever Shine

    Stanman
May Your Light Forever Shine

She?

erin's picture

Maybe you need to read it again. :)

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Intriguing.

I love the feeling this story evokes, of a culture of people all around us.
People we see quite clearly, but who never the less remain unseen. So,
I suppose, it always goes for the lives of travling bards and mistrals.

Thank you, Erin. It made me laugh.

Sarah Lynn

Laughing

erin's picture

I've known a few of the traveling men and women. They are a world unto themselves and that's the way many of them prefer it. I suppose it can be lonely but there's a majesty in it we mundanes can imagine. Perhaps we only imagine it but it's fun to do so. :)

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Oh what a rare treat!

Erin, this is delightful! As an ex-guitarist (try playing with nails as long as mine are now!) and a current bass player, my taste in music ranges far and wide and stringed instruments are foremost in that range. This is superb, with such a wonderful use of language.

Susie

Gee-tar

erin's picture

My fingers are too flimsy to play guitar, can't hold the strings against the frets with my left hand because I'm missing some cartilage in the joints. I've thought about seeing if I can do it with a left-handed strung instrument. :) I do love music and the stringed instruments are among my favorites. Well, a piano has strings too. :)

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Erin dear

Androgyny sweet androgyny, the ability to be mistaken for either sex and never known whether you were clearly one or the other. What a gift for a transsexual of either sex. You could easily, with a change of clothing, take on the appearance of the sex you wished to portray at that time. To be overly masculine such as I, or overly feminine such as some of my FtM friends the curse of being transgendered will never end but for Rae the true question is only “Did it ever begin?”.

Nothing in Life is Free; if the cost is not monetary it will be physical, emotional, or spiritual.

Rachel Anne

Nothing in Life is Free; if the cost is not monetary it will be physical, emotional, or spiritual.
Rachel Anne

Androgyne

erin's picture

I've always been a bit androgynous myself. I'm ambidextrous, too. I haven't tried to breathe water, but it might work. :)

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Public Domain

laika's picture

Rae my dear don'tcha think it's queer
That tho' you've rocked me to my soul;
It ain't too clear who did what to who,
Or what went in what hole...
Oh Susanna, don't you cry for me;
For I've come from Alabama
Where they've banned androgyny.

~~~{Sorry! This sweet, soulful story deserves better than that...} /// Hugs, Laika :)

Oop!

erin's picture

Warning to everyone. don't read Laika's comments when you're contemplating a trip to the bathroom. :)

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

BTW

erin's picture

Showing this story to Rachel Anne prompted it getting posted. It had been sitting on my hard drive for two years because I didn't think it was done. :) Thanks Rachel.

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Loved the song!

Erin I really liked the song and your story. All seemed to ask who am I, and answer I am many different things. Seems a more feminine song along the lines of the Highwayman done by those 'guys' many years ago.

A little sassy, a little compassionate,and a little sweet makes for a one very nice story with a big heart! Wonderful!

hugs!
grover

The song

erin's picture

I wrote the song more than 30 years ago, or a version of it. When the Highwaymen did their number, I wondered if they had been listening. :) When I started this story, I thought it would be much longer and I could use more verses of the song but so far, this is just as long as it is. I'm glad you liked both song and story.

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Perfect

The length of the story is just perfect. So was the story itself!

Thanks, Pippa

erin's picture

Sometimes stories are just how you find them. :)

Hugs,
- Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Oops!!

I see what you mean Erin, my mistake.
May Your Light Forever Shine

    Stanman
May Your Light Forever Shine

Well done!

Fun,interesting, well developed context and characters - please change my praise to 'masterfully done'!

YW

He conquers who endures. ~ Persius

Sketches

erin's picture

The joy of writing a short story like this is like watercolor, how much can you do with how little? I know a lot more about the characters than is revealed in the story, which is why I thought the story might be longer -- but unseen underpainting (to mix my media) is what makes this short work, I think.

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

- Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Very nicely done

The light touch of this story is just perfect.

Skills

erin's picture

I don't think there is anyone writing here, or much of anywhere else, who is better at narrative surprise than you are Kaleigh. :) Characterization, dialog, scene-setting, foreshadowing, suspense, you've got an impressive skill list, hon. :)

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Erin, This is a lovely story

Erin,
This is a lovely story and I truly enjoyed the song you put into it. Have you published it other than in your story? I would love to hear it sung as it seems it would make the charts. "Greensleeves" that you mentioned is another one of my very favorites. I was told many years ago that it is a toss up between Henry the VIII or Queen Elizabeth I as to who wrote that one. Hugs to you, J-Lynn

Not published

erin's picture

Although I wrote that song more than 30 years ago, it's never been published before. I needed a song for Rae to sing and that one seemed appropriate. I have written music for it, but I'm not completely happy with that yet.

Thanks for the comment. :)

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Thith thtory wath tho thweet!

Andrea Lena's picture

...I play autoharp on occasion and I write my own songs...Wrote a song for a friend's wedding...her 25th anniversary tonight as a matter of fact, and one of my best friends is a master luthier who crafts autoharps and guitars as prizes for various music competitions around the country. Tho it wath really thpecial that I dithcovered thith thtory! Thankth! Oh, and Merry Christmas in 12 minutes here.
She was born for all the wrong reasons but grew up for all the right ones.
Possa Dio riccamente vi benedica, tutto il mio amore, Andrea

  

To be alive is to be vulnerable. Madeleine L'Engle
Love, Andrea Lena

Nice to see comments...

erin's picture

...On one of my older stories. Thank you both.

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

still not sure?

'Rae laughed softly. "We just made love and you're still not sure?"' a funny moment.

"Treat everyone you meet as though they had a sign on them that said "Fragile, under construction"

dorothycolleen

DogSig.png

Thanks for the comment

erin's picture

This is one of my favorite stories and I keep hoping that Rae has another one to tell me someday.

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Favourite

Just discovered this from the left hand (sorry) menu bar and comment. Some folk may have noticed I have a passion for music, and instruments, and I loved the little touch of musician's understanding about temperature and tempering. At 'Steph's' festival this year, the instruments in my tent changed tuning as the sun came up....and went down.
Nicely done,and an excellent example of how much back-story lurks behind the shortest piece of fiction.

Thank you, Erin.

You're welcome

erin's picture

Because of the earlier post this week, I actually started a new Rae story, titled so far, "Comedy Gold". If it takes no longer to get right than the first one did, I promise to post the completed story sometime in 2014. :)

I remember cold mornings in marching band and my cornet needing to be retuned after every number. :)

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Irrelevant

...to the story, but 'marching band' reminds me of a great Woody Allen sight gag, in which he is a member of a marching band who plays...the cello.

Oooo...

I really enjoyed meetin' Rae in this story. Did ya ever finish writin' Comedy Gold? Gettin' to see Rae again would be such a treat! :)

Gifts of the Wise

I just have to pull this nice story out of the "Random Solos" again.
Very carefull written to not give a direct hint about Rae :)

M

Martina

Thank you

erin's picture

And I added another few lines to the second Rae story just a week or so ago. At this rate I probably will be able to post it in 2014, on schedule :)

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Wow Erin !

Your talents are very broad, What a song you made up. What a story, what a great line, "We just made love, and you're still not sure?"

Karen

Nice story

Jamie Lee's picture

A nicely done story, providing mystery in the process.

Others have feelings too.

Sing a tune, raise a glass...

play the instrument of the occasion, once Alan o' Dale. Once an angel singing Joy... a mother a lullaby... a soldier out of tune of memories not forgotten, look away, look away. Nicely done, in remembering our days. The warmth of another chases away the blues.

Jessie C

Jessica E. Connors

Jessica Connors