A Meeting and a Change

Dec 04, 2024

Back on deck I dressed slowly--both because I had no desire to get dressed, and because I was surrounded by a crowd of Dwarf boys. Yesterday they had left me alone after my ‘failure’ when they had all wanted so much for me to succeed. I was the only one who had asked, but I was not the only one who had wanted to swim. Today they all gloried in my success. The rule was history: they too would get to swim! At least, they hoped so.

In many a family, however, a boy started the decision process, only to find themselves short circuited. “That question cannot yet be discussed.” It seemed that there was to be a meeting.

A meeting there was, and a decision came from it--one that sent the women howling. Not only were the men and boys to be allowed to swim, the decision was that all who had no excuse, male and female, would swim. Clothes would be arranged, others would help, but no longer would the Dwarves hold themselves aloof from this activity. The council of elders, the closest thing the ship had to royalty, had decided that the new plan, the settling of the continent, required the races to act together, in a way they hadn’t done for decades. Moreover, there was no actual reason (the modesty of the women being held of no account in a decision of this magnitude) why they should stand aloof in this area.

It took several days, indeed almost the rest of the voyage, before everyone had swum. There was much sewing and much reluctance. Ironically it was the vociferous objections of the daughters that made the process easier. The women did not want to strip, did not want to swim, did not want to join in this bizarre and embarrassing activity. When their daughters started to object, however, then the wives turned into Mothers and chivied their daughters into the water. They even forced those who hadn’t yet made their swim bladders to strip and help with the gutting (an activity far worse and far more embarrassing than swimming would have been). The work on the bladders moved miraculously fast after that.

Thank you for reading Von’s Substack. I would love it if you commented! I love hearing from readers, especially critical comments. I would love to start more letter exchanges, so if there’s a subject you’re interested in, get writing and tag me!

Being ‘restacked’ and mentioned in ‘notes’ is very important for lesser-known stacks so… feel free! I’m semi-retired and write as a ministry (and for fun) so you don’t need to feel guilty you aren’t paying for anything, but if you enjoy my writing (even if you dramatically disagree with it), then restack, please! Or mention me in one of your own posts.

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If you get lost, check out my ‘Table of Contents’ which I try to keep up to date.

Von also writes as ‘Arthur Yeomans’. Under that name he writes children’s, YA, and adult fiction from a Christian perspective. His books include:

The Bobtails meet the Preacher’s Kid

The Bobtails and the Cousins

The Bobtails go to France

and

No Ordinary School

Arthur also has a substack, and a website.

Thanks again, God Bless, Soli Deo gloria,

Von

Links

Island People is a young adult fantasy book centring on a young prince. The book starts with his kidnapping and follows his adventures as he not only escapes from his kidnapper but gains critical allies and friends.

The entire book is scheduled on Substack, and there are several sequels. This is a book I wrote years ago, so it is in a bit of a rough form. Critiques and comments are more than welcome, they are requested.

Book 3: Dwarves and Dragons

Dwarves and Dragons Intro

Looking Down on Happiness

Appeal

Gang of Helpers

Pre-immersion

A Meeting and a Change

Links

Book 2: Come the day

Book 3: Dwarves and Dragons

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