My short story 'A Goood Start'

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Brian (and his cat)

Brian Patton sent us his short story, based loosely on a German folk tale, about a Duke's son who is brought of his shell when he meets the more outgoing Lothair, who stammers.

Foreword by Brian

I've just finished this short story based on a based on a 17th century tale from Bremen, whose details I have completely forgotten. It could be something I picked up when learning German, a language that abounds in such tales. It centred on the Ducal court and was about the son of someone important, who was disabled and wanted to marry the daughter of a rich merchant. He had difficulty walking and by the end gets the better of those who do him down, eventually getting permission to marry. I've altered the story to involve two lads with speaking problems, a duchess and a cat. There is no cat in the original, but as a cat lover, as you can see from my picture, I included it.

A Goood Start

by Brian Patton

About 200 years ago, the Duke and Duchess of Bremen were worried about their handsome son Roland. He was now 23, tall and well built, but to date he had shown no interest in any of the pretty, lively and rich young ladies whom he had been obliged to meet at court balls. Nor did they show much interest in him after the first minuet. They all tried, in different ways, to make him talk but even an account of dancing with Crown Prince Ferdinand at a court ball in Vienna brought only a kind of grunt. He never started a conversation but often managed to bring one to a close. 

One night, after they had given a soirée at which Roland had been virtually speechless, the Duchess raised the subject with her husband as she brushed the shining white fur of Puss-Puss. She paused to ask him bluntly if it was not time to do something about the boy. The Duke, slightly irritated, told her not to worry, as it was just a question of waiting until the right girl came along. Roland's mother sighed and resumed her attention to the cat. She loved her and her son in equal measure and wanted to see him as properly settled as she was, but there was no sign of that. "It's only that young count, Lothair, that gets anything out of him," she said sadly. "You don't need to worry about him," the Duke replied roughly. "With that dreadful stammer, no girl will go near him." He turned down the gas and soon they were all asleep.         

But it stuck in the Duchess's mind that perhaps a change of background and people would stimulate their son into a more sociable frame of mind. Someone of his own age, she thought, less buttoned-up, with wider experience of the wide world. She canvassed several likely lads at court about spending a day with Roland by the Weser but all those she approached seemed to be busy on the suggested date. To be truthful, they had no wish to be involved with someone whose conversation was minimal and who had no idea of a bit of fun, especially with a young lady. In the end Lothair von Maxim, a slightly older lad, was the only young man of the right age group remaining and Roland sometimes hung around near him. The boy seemed to be curious about him. Lothair was attractive. lively, literate and good-looking. He was trustworthy too and always willing to help out around the court at Bremen. Puss-Puss seemed to like him too and, to the Duchess, that was a good sign. When asked, he showed himself quite willing to spend a day by, and perhaps on or in, the Weser with Roland. He was aware that he was tolerated at the court mainly for the bravery shown by his father in the fight with Napoleon and his own general usefulness and ability with figures. He had no particular wish to be lumbered with someone that he regarded as a silent, spoiled and stuck-up so-and-so. But he was also aware of the scarcely-suppressed giggles from some other people in court when he lost control of a word, which happened often, and so, to keep his post, he had no choice but to make himself useful to the Duke — and sometimes the Duchess. By the water, he could watch the birds, which he loved, and he might even get a swim. 

It was a fine day in June as they set off in one of the ducal landaus and rattled through the woods to a sandy beach by a sparkling stream that fed into the river. The coachman set them down, with their picnic, and, having confirmed that he would be back at five, turned the landau and went off to see an old uncle who lived nearby. The first hour was heavy-going for Lothair. No matter how hard he tried — and sometimes it was hard for him-with talk about birds or the big ships that passed on the river, which he found really interesting. There was even one of the new steamboats that paddled past, engines clanking, paddles thrashing the water, tall funnels spouting clouds of black smoke. Roland only grunted at Lothair's enthusiasm. They ate the excellent food that the Duchess had ordered, in almost total silence and Lothair, who was now at his wits' end, suggested a siesta. When they came round, he announced that he was going for a swim and proceeded to remove all his clothes, before throwing himself, with much splashing, into the clear water.

Roland had never seen another male unclothed and he was dumbfounded. But somehow, he liked what he had just seen and suddenly he decided to follow the other's example. When he had done so, it was clear that he was very excited and Lothair, laughing, scooped up a handful of cool water, with which he scored a direct hit. Roland screamed and shrieked as did Puss-Puss when angry – "Yaooooowwwww". He followed this up with a cry of "You nasty fellow, that water is soooo cold". Then he realised that he had spoken far more than he had done in years. He couldn't believe it and to test it, he yelled "I'm coming to get you". This he did and a kind of water wrestling match ensued, which both of them thoroughly enjoyed. When they finally came ashore and each had helped to dry the other, they lay down on the warm grass, looked at each other and laughed. "But how could I say all that at once? With hardly a single grunt. It's just so good. Can't believe it". Roland shook the last drops from his thick brown hair.  It was very strange.     

Lothair thought it odd too and pondered before he spoke, with quite a few interruptions. He had clearly broken through to the boy – who was now showing every sign of happiness – and, having himself often tried so much, with a little success, he could perhaps help him to an easier way of speaking. However, the rattling of the landau heralded five o'clock and there was only time to clear up the remnants of the picnic. There was mainly silence on the way back, but somehow it was a relaxed silence and the glances that accompanied it said all that was to be said. 

When they came back to Court, Roland at first continued in near-silence but to his delight, Puss-Puss came along, purring loudly with her tail up; Roland was one of her favourite humans. She rubbed against his leg before going on to repeat the exercise on Lothair. Roland had wondered how he could take on the relationship and here was a cat giving him the key. "She loves you too," he smiled, as he  picked her up into his arms. And they both laughed again. It was now easy for him to suggest and Lothair to agree to meet in a new French restaurant on the next night but one. And that was a memorable evening.

As she climbed into bed one night soon afterwards, the Duchess smiled at her rather dour husband, saying, "I think, my dear, we have solved the Roland problem. He's becoming a different young man. He speaks to people now".  "Can't think why, with a friend with a stammer like that man's". replied the ever-doubtful Duke. He paused and reflected then went on, "But maybe a stammer can break a barrier. You've got it right, my dear, as usual". 

And he kissed her as he turned down the gas.

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