XIV: the ROBBER
by Abbie Farwell Brown · from Kisington Town
Adapted Version
Harold was very tired. He had a busy day. He went to bed.
In the night, he heard a sound. Tap, tap, tap. It came from the kitchen. Harold sat up. He listened. Someone was in the kitchen. He got up. He went to the door. He saw a light in the pantry. Someone was there.
Harold was brave. He ran to the pantry door. He turned the key. He locked the door. "Mother! Help!" he shouted. "A thief is in the pantry!"
Mother came down the stairs. In the pantry, there was a crash. The thief went through the small window. Harold grabbed the thief's shawl. It came off in his hands.
They opened the door. The pantry was a mess. "Oh no!" said Mother. "My pies are gone!" One pie was eaten. The other pies were taken. They were for the Red King.
Mother was sad. "The pies are gone," she said. "No gift for the King." Harold felt sad.
They went back to bed. "We will look in the morning," said Mother.
In the morning, Harold took the shawl. He went to the Librarian. "A thief took our pies," he said.
The Librarian was surprised. They went to the Mayor. The Mayor looked at the shawl. "This is from far away," he said. "The thief is not from here. I will help you."
The Mayor was kind. "We will fix your pantry," he said.
The Librarian had an idea. "Ask the Red King to visit," he said. "It will give us more time."
Harold was brave. "I will try," he said.
Harold went to school. The Librarian went to his books. The Mayor went to his work. Mother cleaned the pantry. Harold smiled. He would try his best.
Original Story
XIV: THE ROBBER
Harold was very weary when he returned to the cottage that evening; and he was still more weary before he tumbled into bed. For in the mean time he had to learn his school lessons for the following day, and tell the other boys all about his adventures. He slept like a top; quite like a top,--for sometimes during the night there came from his little room beyond the kitchen a sound like a humming top.
It was about midnight when Harold was awakened by a peculiar noise. It was a queer, clicking, tapping noise that seemed to come from the kitchen close by. Harold sat up in bed and listened. Some one was certainly moving about in the kitchen. It was probably his mother, he thought. And yet, what could his mother be doing there at that time of night? Stealthy steps crossed the kitchen; just then Harold sneezed,--he could not help it. There was silence.
Presently he heard a noise in the pantry, which was next his own little room. Harold rose and crept noiselessly out of his chamber. Yes, there was someone in the pantry. The door was open,--something not allowed in his mother's kitchen rule. An uncertain light flickered behind the pantry door. Harold could not see plainly, but there certainly was some one meddling with the dishes on the shelves. Suddenly a silhouette came between Harold and the light, and he saw the shape of the intruder. It seemed to be a very tall old woman in bonnet and shawl, and her great hand was carrying something from the pantry shelf to the mouth within the bonnet.
Harold felt himself growing very angry. Who was this stranger who dared to force a way into their cottage and eat up the hard-earned victuals which his mother had painfully prepared? Such doings were rare indeed in Kisington. It was a wicked thief, a robber, a house-breaker! Even though it was a woman, she must be punished.
There was a key in the lock outside the pantry door. Quick as a flash Harold made a leap for it, and turned it in the lock. At the same time he shouted to his mother who slept in the room upstairs,--"Quick! Quick, Mother! There is an old woman in the pantry eating up the food! I have caught her at it!"
In a few minutes his mother's feet came pattering down the stairs. But in the mean time what a hubbub was going on in the pantry! Evidently the thief had no mind to be discovered and taken in her criminal act. There was the sound of overturned boxes and barrels, the crash of crockery and glass. The thief was smashing the pantry window!
"Open the door, Harold!" screamed his mother. "She is climbing out the window!"
It did not seem possible that the thief could do this, it was such a tiny window. But, sure enough! when the door was opened, and Harold and his mother crowded into the pantry, they were but just in time to seize the hem of the old woman's shawl, as her last leg squeezed through the casement. Harold held on to the shawl tightly, however, and off it came in his hands. It was a very nice shawl.
"Who ever heard of a thief in Kisington!" exclaimed the mother. "Who could it be? I never saw a shawl like this. Let us examine what she has taken, the wicked old creature!"
Harold got a candle, and presently returned to the pantry, where his mother was groping among the smashed crockery for some other clue to the thief. When the light flickered on the pantry shelves the mother gave a scream of surprise and anger. "My six beautiful pies!" she exclaimed. "The thief has stolen my six beautiful apple pies! Oh, what a wicked old soul!"
"Those lovely pies!" groaned Harold. "See, Mother, she has gobbled one and left the empty plate. The others she has taken away with her."
"I wish they may choke her!" cried the mother angrily. "Now you will have none to take to your Red King to-morrow. I was going to save the finest of all for him, in the hope that it would soften his hard heart."
"It will never soften his heart nor please his stomach now, Mother," said Harold ruefully. "And still more I regret the other five pies which I know you meant for me. When shall we ever see such pies again?"
"They were made from the last of the flour and apples and sugar sent you in gratitude by the Leading Citizens," said Harold's mother sadly. "I am sorry your reward is thus wasted, my poor boy! What spiteful neighbor could have spied them through the pantry window and planned this midnight raid at our expense?"
Harold shook his head mournfully. "I do not know any one in Kisington whom I could suspect," he said. "Come, Mother, let us go back to bed. To-morrow we will look further into the matter. We have at least this handsome shawl as one clue, which if it does not find us the thief will be very nice for you to wear."
They went to bed again, and slept until morning.
Now in the morning before school Harold took the shawl and went to his friend the Librarian and told him what had happened during the night. The Librarian was greatly shocked to hear of a theft in town and went with Harold straight to the Lord Mayor.
The Mayor examined the shawl carefully and shook his head. "This is very strange!" he said. "This is no shawl made in Kisington, or in our Kingdom. It is a strange foreign shawl, and very valuable. I am glad to believe that the thief must have been a foreigner, or a gypsy, or a vagrant of some sort. But how did she find her way into our guarded city? I must look into this! Meanwhile, my lad, since you have suffered loss and damage to your pantry and to your feelings the Leading Citizens will see that you are made whole at their expense; I will answer for their gratitude to you."
"My Lord," said the Librarian, patting Harold affectionately on the head, "our boy has done so well already in handling this savage King, may we not expect still more from him now that the time is so critical? King Victor should soon be coming to our aid. If we can but postpone the siege for at least another day! Suppose Harold should invite Red Rex, under a flag of truce, to visit and inspect our Library?"
"Good!" cried the Mayor. "When you go to Red Rex this afternoon, Harold, my boy, see what you can do further in the matter."
"I will try, my Lord Mayor," said Harold. "But Red Rex is growing very impatient. I fear that I cannot much longer keep him amused with our tales."
"Clever lad! You have already done right well," said the Librarian, embracing Harold proudly. "And I dare say you will be able to do yet more. Now, run along to school; for we must not forget our everyday duties, even in these times of excitement and danger."
So Harold went to school, and you can imagine how many questions he had to answer at recess time. The Librarian went to his books and the Lord Mayor to his desk. And Harold's mother went down on her knees, cleaning up the wrecked pantry.
But where was the strange old woman all this time?
Story DNA
Plot Summary
Harold, a boy tasked with entertaining the besieging Red King, discovers a mysterious old woman robbing his family's pantry at night. He manages to lock her in, but she escapes through a window, leaving behind a valuable foreign shawl. The robber steals all six special apple pies meant to appease the Red King and feed Harold. The next morning, Harold reports the theft to the Lord Mayor and Librarian, who identify the shawl as foreign and decide to use this new development to further delay the Red King, tasking Harold with inviting the King to inspect the Library.
Themes
Emotional Arc
anxiety to determination
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story reflects a simpler time where a theft in a small town ('Kisington') would be a shocking and unusual event, and community leaders would be directly involved.
Plot Beats (13)
- Harold returns home weary from his adventures and lessons, then sleeps soundly.
- He is awakened by strange noises in the kitchen and investigates, discovering a figure in the pantry.
- Harold, angered by the intrusion, locks the pantry door and calls his mother.
- The thief, a tall old woman, smashes a window and escapes, but Harold manages to grab her shawl.
- Harold and his mother enter the wrecked pantry and discover all six special apple pies have been stolen, one eaten on the spot.
- Harold's mother laments the loss of the pies, especially the one meant to soften the Red King's heart, and suspects a spiteful neighbor.
- Harold and his mother go back to bed, deciding to investigate further in the morning.
- The next morning, Harold takes the shawl to the Librarian and tells him about the theft.
- The Librarian and Harold go to the Lord Mayor, who identifies the shawl as foreign and valuable, suggesting the thief is an outsider.
- The Mayor promises Harold compensation for the damages and loss.
- The Librarian suggests Harold use this new development to further delay the impatient Red King, by inviting him to inspect the Library.
- Harold agrees to try, despite his fears that the Red King is growing tired of his tales.
- Harold goes to school, the Librarian and Mayor continue their duties, and Harold's mother cleans the pantry, while the thief's whereabouts remain unknown.
Characters
Harold ★ protagonist
A young boy, likely of average height and build for his age, with a youthful, perhaps slightly tired, appearance from his daily duties and adventures.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing suitable for a schoolboy in a small town, likely made of durable fabrics like linen or wool in muted colors, perhaps a tunic and breeches.
Wants: To protect his home and family's resources, to fulfill his duties to the town (like amusing Red Rex), and to understand the mystery of the thief.
Flaw: His youth and relative inexperience, leading to some naivety about the world and its dangers.
He grows in his understanding of the world's complexities and his own capabilities, taking on more responsibility.
Brave, observant, quick-thinking, responsible, and a bit naive. He is protective of his family's belongings and resourceful.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young boy of about ten years old, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a sturdy build, fair skin, and short, light brown hair. His eyes are a bright blue, and his expression is a mix of determination and slight bewilderment. He wears a simple, practical tunic of muted green linen, dark brown breeches, and sturdy leather boots. He holds a richly patterned, colorful shawl in his hands, examining it closely. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Harold's Mother ◆ supporting
A hardworking woman, likely with a practical build from managing a household. Her appearance would reflect the care and effort she puts into her home.
Attire: Simple, durable clothing typical of a Kisington housewife, such as a long linen dress or skirt and blouse, with an apron, in practical, muted colors.
Wants: To provide for her family, maintain her home, and ensure her son's well-being and success.
Flaw: Her anger can be quick to rise, and she is deeply affected by losses, especially those that impact her son's duties.
She experiences a setback and loss but demonstrates her resilience in cleaning up and moving forward.
Hardworking, thrifty, protective of her family's resources, easily angered by injustice, and loving towards her son.
Image Prompt & Upload
An adult woman of average height and a sturdy, hardworking build, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a kind but worried expression, with lines of concern around her eyes. Her hair is light brown, pulled back neatly into a bun. She wears a practical, long-sleeved, dark blue linen dress with a cream-colored apron tied at the waist. Her hands are clasped in front of her, showing a mix of frustration and resignation. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Robber ⚔ antagonist
A very tall old woman, with a large build, capable of surprising agility despite her age, squeezing through a tiny window.
Attire: A bonnet and a shawl. The shawl is described as 'very nice' and 'strange foreign', suggesting it is of good quality and unusual design for Kisington.
Wants: Hunger and the need for sustenance, possibly driven by poverty or a vagrant lifestyle.
Flaw: Her desperation leads her to take risks and cause a commotion, ultimately leading to her discovery and the loss of her shawl.
She remains an elusive figure, her actions serving as the catalyst for the story's events without her own personal change.
Bold, desperate, cunning, and destructive when cornered. She is focused on her immediate needs (food) and willing to cause damage to escape.
Image Prompt & Upload
A very tall elderly woman, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. Her face is mostly obscured by the deep shadow of a dark, practical bonnet. She has a large, somewhat hunched build, and her hands appear strong and weathered. She wears a dark, thick wool shawl with a distinctive, colorful, geometric pattern in reds and blues draped over her shoulders, and a simple, dark, long-sleeved dress beneath. Her posture is slightly stooped but suggests underlying strength. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Librarian ◆ supporting
A scholarly man, likely of a slender build, with an air of quiet wisdom and intellectual focus.
Attire: Formal but practical attire suitable for a scholar or public official, such as a dark, long-sleeved tunic or coat over trousers, made of wool or sturdy linen.
Wants: To maintain order and knowledge in Kisington, and to guide and support Harold in his important duties.
Flaw: Perhaps a tendency to be overly trusting or optimistic about human nature, given his shock at the theft.
He serves as a steadying and guiding presence, reinforcing Harold's importance.
Wise, supportive, perceptive, and encouraging. He values knowledge and believes in Harold's capabilities.
Image Prompt & Upload
An adult man of slender build and average height, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a thoughtful, kind expression, with a neatly trimmed beard and dark, receding hair. He wears round spectacles perched on his nose. His attire consists of a long, dark grey wool tunic with a high collar, cinched at the waist with a simple leather belt, and dark trousers. His hands are clasped in front of him, conveying a sense of calm wisdom. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Lord Mayor ◆ supporting
A figure of authority, likely well-dressed and perhaps of a more substantial build, reflecting his position.
Attire: Formal and authoritative attire, such as a rich, dark coat or robe over fine clothing, possibly with a chain of office or other symbols of his position.
Wants: To maintain order and security in Kisington, and to protect its citizens and resources.
Flaw: Perhaps a slight tendency to be overly confident in the city's security, leading to surprise when a theft occurs.
He takes action to investigate the theft and support Harold, demonstrating his leadership.
Authoritative, concerned with the welfare of his city, decisive, and appreciative of Harold's efforts.
Image Prompt & Upload
An adult man of robust build and dignified stature, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a serious, commanding expression, with a neatly trimmed grey beard and short, well-groomed grey hair. He wears a rich, dark blue velvet coat with wide lapels over a crisp white shirt, and dark trousers. A heavy, ornate silver chain of office with a large medallion hangs around his neck. His hands are clasped in front of him, conveying authority. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Harold's Cottage Kitchen
A modest, functional kitchen in a Kisington cottage, likely with a simple hearth, wooden table, and basic cooking implements. It connects to Harold's small room and the pantry.
Mood: Initially peaceful, then tense and alarming due to the intruder.
Harold is awakened by strange noises and realizes there's an intruder in the house.
Image Prompt & Upload
A dimly lit, rustic cottage kitchen at midnight. Moonlight filters faintly through a small window, casting long shadows across rough-hewn timber walls and a simple wooden table. A stone hearth is dark and cold. The floor is made of wide, worn wooden planks. The atmosphere is quiet and eerie. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Cottage Pantry
A small, cluttered pantry adjacent to Harold's room, filled with shelves of dishes, boxes, and barrels. It has a tiny casement window and a door with an external lock.
Mood: Initially mysterious and unsettling, then chaotic and destructive.
Harold confronts the robber, locks her in, and she escapes through the window, leaving behind her shawl and the remains of the stolen pies.
Image Prompt & Upload
A cramped, chaotic pantry interior at night, illuminated by the flickering, uncertain glow of a candle. Wooden shelves are askew, with smashed crockery and overturned barrels littering the floor. A tiny, broken casement window shows a sliver of dark night sky. The air is thick with tension and the aftermath of a struggle. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.