Damages
by David Cory · from The Iceberg Express
Adapted Version
King Seaphus waited. He was not happy. Two visitors came. He heard knocks. He wanted them to come in. He was a little angry.
A helper came. He brought two friends. A Polar Bear came in. A Star Fish came in. They bowed to King Seaphus. The Star Fish winked.
"What do you want?" King Seaphus asked. "I want money for my hurt finger," the Star Fish gurgled. His finger was bad. King Seaphus was worried. He owned part of the train company.
"My tummy hurts inside," the Polar Bear said. He spoke quickly. The Star Fish made him brave.
"My finger is very bad," the Star Fish said. "I have five fingers. One is hurt. This is worse." "I have many small feet. They are not fingers. My mouth is special too."
The King thought the Star Fish was smart. "I must help him fast," he thought. "He will make trouble."
"I was hit in my chest," the Polar Bear said. "Was it a chest for ice?" the King asked. He made a small joke. He liked to joke.
"I went to a warm place," the Star Fish said. "It was for my health. My doctor told me." "I wanted to go far away." The King was confused.
King Seaphus was a little angry. "I will get you a special train!" he said. "You will go to the warm place."
"What about my finger?" the Star Fish asked. "I will pay for your ticket," the King said. "You will get your money back."
"What about you?" the King asked the Polar Bear. "Train workers get little money." "I will give you double money," the King said.
The King spoke to his helper. "Tell the train boss," he said. "Get a special train ready. It goes tomorrow."
The visitors left. King Seaphus smiled. He talked to Mary Louise. He talked to his daughter. "That Star Fish is so smart!" he said. "He knows many things."
"I want to go too," Mary Louise said. "The warm place sounds fun." "Can I go with her?" the Mermaid Princess asked. "Yes, you can go," her father said.
Next morning came. The train was ready. Mary Louise came. The Mermaid Princess came. The Star Fish was there. They got on the train. It went to the warm place far away. They all went on a fun trip. The Star Fish was happy. The Princess and Mary Louise were happy too. What a great adventure!
Original Story
Damages
King Seaphus waited anxiously as the knocking on the castle door continued. "Billows and breakers," he exclaimed again, expectantly waiting for the visitor or visitors to be announced.
Just as his impatience was nearly exhausted, a court page appeared escorting a Polar Bear and a Star Fish. Mary Louise at once recognized the former as the porter on the Iceberg Express. The visitors bowed respectfully to the King, and the little Star Fish winked one of his five small eyes at the Princess. The Polar Bear smiled at Mary Louise, but said nothing.
"Well," exclaimed King Seaphus, after a brief silence, "you honor us by your presence, but, what do you want?"
"I want redress," cried the Star Fish in a queer little gurgle.
"You want what?" thundered the King, realizing now that his visitors were looking for damages on account of the accident. This naturally worried him, as he was a heavy stockholder in the Sea Bottom Subway.
"One of my five fingers has been badly bruised," continued the Star Fish, "for which reason I shall sue for damages."
"I have suffered internal injuries," said the Polar Bear, speaking up quickly, encouraged by the independent manner of the Star Fish.
"Internal injuries!" laughed the King; "infernal fiddlesticks, I have heard that tune before!"
"Your Highness," interposed the Star Fish, "my condition is quite serious. As I have but five fingers, to have one of them injured is far worse than to have one of my feet, for of the latter I have hundreds."
The King looked at him inquiringly. Although he was Monarch of the Sea, perhaps he did not know that a Star Fish, while he has hundreds of little feet, has no legs at all. Even his feet do not move as ordinary feet do, one before the other; they can only cling like little suckers pulling him slowly along from place to place.
"Neither am I like the everyday common fish. My mouth is in the center of my body, and I have a little scarlet-colored sieve through which I strain the sea-water. I couldn't think of swallowing sea-water with everything that might be floating in it."
"Holy mackerel!" exclaimed the King, under his breath, "I'd better settle with this individual as quickly as possible. He'll drive me crazy if I don't, and maybe, cause me no end of trouble."
"Your Royal Highness," began the Polar Bear, "I was hit by a large piece of ice in the chest."
"In the ice-chest or in the ice-box?" inquired the King, his humor getting the better of his anger, for he could never let go by an opportunity to make a pun.
"Your Royal Highness," interrupted the Star Fish, "I wish to state that I took this little trip for my health. My doctor told me I must go South. So I boarded the Iceberg Express at Cape Cod, intending to spend the summer in the mountains."
"In the mountains!" roared King Seaphus. "You don't go to the seashore for the mountains! You should have gone inland to the White Mountains or the Catskills—those are well-known summer resorts."
"May it please your Royal Highness," said the Star Fish, stroking his beautiful purple coat with one of his five little fingers, "I was bound for the Caribbean Sea, which is as full of mountains as New Hampshire and Vermont are. Of course, none of them have caps of snow like Mount Washington, for it's nice and warm in the Caribbean Sea; that's the reason I want to go there. But, if the Iceberg Express is wrecked, how am I to continue my journey?"
"Sufferin' mackerel!" exclaimed King Seaphus; this time he uttered the words aloud and not under his breath, "Sufferin' mackerel! I'll see that you get there, if I have to charter a special train!"
"But what about my finger?" asked the Star Fish.
"Oh, I'll reimburse you for your ticket," exclaimed the King. "And now, what can I do for you?" he asked, turning to the Polar Bear.
"Train Porters have very low wages," replied the Polar Bear.
"Very well," answered King Seaphus, "I will see that yours are doubled," and he waved the two visitors away with a haughty gesture. The court page then escorted them to the door.
"You heard what I said," cried the King, turning to the Prime Minister. "Now go to the General Manager of the Sea Bottom Subway and inform him of my wishes. Also that he must have an express ready to start for the Caribbean Sea tomorrow morning without fail."
The Prime Minister bowed respectfully and departed.
"Whew!" exclaimed the King, smiling at Mary Louise and his daughter as soon as the three were again alone, "if that Star Fish wasn't a walking encyclopedia! He had everything at his five finger-ends!"
"I think I'll take the same train as the little Star Fish," said Mary Louise, "for I've never been to the Caribbean Sea and I think it must be a lovely place."
"May I go with Mary Louise?" asked the Mermaid Princess.
"Well, I don't see why not," answered her father, after a pause, "only you must get back inside of a fortnight, for your mother will be home by that time."
"I must see that my mother-of-pearl trunk is packed," said the Princess. "Come with me, Mary Louise." Then curtseying to the King, they swam up the water stairway to the room of the little mermaid.
The next morning found Mary Louise and the Mermaid Princess waiting anxiously at the station for the Iceberg Express. On the platform they recognized among the passengers their little friend, the Star Fish. In a few minutes the express thundered into the station. "Watch your step!" yelled the Polar Bear Porter as he helped Mary Louise and the Princess on board. Then with a rush and a roar the Iceberg Express started on its journey for the Mountains of the Sea!
Story DNA
Plot Summary
King Seaphus, ruler of the sea, is vexed by a Star Fish and a Polar Bear seeking 'damages' for injuries sustained on the Iceberg Express. The clever Star Fish meticulously details his unique anatomy and travel plans to the 'mountains' of the Caribbean Sea, overwhelming the King with his persistence and knowledge. To avoid further trouble, King Seaphus agrees to charter a special train for the Star Fish and double the Polar Bear's wages. His daughter, the Mermaid Princess, and her friend Mary Louise decide to join the Star Fish on his journey, embarking on a new adventure.
Themes
Emotional Arc
annoyance to resolution
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
David Cory was an American author known for his children's stories, often featuring anthropomorphic animals and light humor, popular in the early 20th century. The story reflects a period when train travel was a prominent mode of transport.
Plot Beats (15)
- King Seaphus impatiently awaits visitors at his castle.
- A Polar Bear and a Star Fish are announced and enter, bowing to the King.
- The Star Fish, in a gurgle, demands 'redress' for a bruised finger, causing the King concern as a stockholder in the Sea Bottom Subway.
- The Polar Bear, encouraged, claims 'internal injuries'.
- The Star Fish elaborates on the severity of his finger injury, explaining his unique anatomy to the King.
- The King, realizing the Star Fish's cleverness, decides he must settle quickly.
- The Polar Bear reiterates his injury, prompting a pun from the King.
- The Star Fish explains he was traveling to the 'mountains' of the Caribbean Sea for his health, further confusing the King.
- The King, exasperated, agrees to charter a special train for the Star Fish to the Caribbean Sea.
- The Star Fish also demands compensation for his finger, which the King agrees to by reimbursing his ticket.
- The King then doubles the Polar Bear's wages.
- King Seaphus instructs his Prime Minister to arrange the special train and inform the Sea Bottom Subway manager.
- The King expresses his admiration for the Star Fish's knowledge to Mary Louise and his daughter.
- Mary Louise and the Mermaid Princess decide to join the Star Fish on his journey to the Caribbean Sea.
- The next morning, Mary Louise, the Princess, and the Star Fish board the Iceberg Express for their journey to the 'Mountains of the Sea'.
Characters
King Seaphus
A robust man of regal bearing, likely with a broad chest and a commanding presence, befitting a monarch of the sea. His skin tone would be fair, consistent with European royalty.
Attire: Rich, flowing robes in deep blues and greens, perhaps embroidered with silver or gold motifs of waves, fish, or anchors, made of heavy silk or velvet. A golden crown, possibly adorned with pearls or sea-themed jewels, sits on his head.
Wants: To maintain order and peace in his kingdom, avoid unnecessary trouble, and ensure the well-being and happiness of his daughter and her friend.
Flaw: His impatience and tendency to be easily annoyed by verbose or pedantic individuals.
He starts annoyed and worried about potential damages but quickly resolves the situation, showing his benevolent and decisive nature.
Impatient, easily exasperated, quick-witted, pun-loving, ultimately fair, and protective of his family.
Star Fish
A small, five-pointed starfish, described as having a 'beautiful purple coat'. Its mouth is in the center of its body, and it has a scarlet-colored sieve. It possesses hundreds of tiny feet for clinging and movement.
Attire: Its 'beautiful purple coat' refers to its natural coloration, not clothing.
Wants: To receive redress for its injured 'finger' and to ensure its journey to the Caribbean Sea for health reasons can continue.
Flaw: Its overly detailed explanations and pedantic nature can annoy others.
Successfully argues its case and secures both compensation for its injury and continued travel.
Verbose, pedantic, intelligent, persistent, health-conscious, and surprisingly knowledgeable.
Polar Bear
A large, imposing polar bear, likely with thick white fur and a powerful build, consistent with its role as a porter. Its fur would be pristine white, and its paws large and strong.
Attire: As a porter, it might wear a simple, functional uniform piece, such as a dark blue or black cap with a train logo, or a sturdy vest, over its natural white fur.
Wants: To receive compensation for its 'internal injuries' and to secure higher wages for train porters.
Flaw: Initially hesitant to speak up, needing encouragement from the Star Fish.
Successfully secures a doubling of wages for porters, showing a positive outcome for its quiet advocacy.
Quiet, observant, opportunistic (in seeking higher wages), and helpful (as a porter).
Mary Louise
A young human girl, likely with a curious and adventurous demeanor. Her build would be slender and youthful. Her skin tone would be fair, consistent with a European child.
Attire: A simple but well-made dress, perhaps in a pastel color like blue or pink, made of linen or cotton, suitable for travel and a child of her status. She might wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes.
Wants: To experience new places and travel, specifically to the Caribbean Sea.
Flaw: Her youthful naivety, though not explicitly shown as a flaw.
Embarks on an exciting journey to the Caribbean Sea, fulfilling her desire for adventure.
Curious, adventurous, observant, and friendly.
Mermaid Princess
A young mermaid, daughter of King Seaphus. Her lower body is a fish tail, likely shimmering with mother-of-pearl scales. Her upper body would be human-like, with fair skin. Her tail would be a vibrant, iridescent color.
Attire: Her 'mother-of-pearl trunk' suggests she has human-like clothing for land travel, but her primary 'attire' is her shimmering, scaled tail. When in her natural form, she might wear delicate shell or pearl adornments.
Wants: To accompany her friend Mary Louise on an exciting journey to the Caribbean Sea.
Flaw: Her youth and dependence on her father's permission.
Embarks on an adventure with her friend, expanding her world beyond the castle.
Sweet, eager, adventurous, and obedient to her father.
Locations
King Seaphus's Throne Room
A formal royal chamber within an underwater castle, likely adorned with elements reflecting its marine environment. The king sits on his throne, and a court page escorts visitors. The atmosphere is initially anxious, then shifts to humorous and exasperated.
Mood: Formal, slightly tense, then humorous and exasperated.
King Seaphus receives the Polar Bear and Star Fish, who demand damages for injuries sustained on the Iceberg Express. He makes a pun and eventually agrees to their demands.
Mermaid Princess's Room
The private chamber of the Mermaid Princess, accessed via a water stairway. It's where she prepares for her journey, implying a space suitable for a mermaid, possibly with aquatic furnishings.
Mood: Anticipatory, private, feminine.
The Mermaid Princess and Mary Louise go to pack the princess's trunk in preparation for their trip to the Caribbean Sea.
Sea Bottom Subway Station
An underwater train station where the Iceberg Express departs. It's a bustling platform with passengers, including the Star Fish, waiting for their journey.
Mood: Busy, exciting, anticipatory.
Mary Louise and the Mermaid Princess board the Iceberg Express with the Star Fish, beginning their journey to the Caribbean Sea.