Smith of Wootton Major: Giving Back

As usual, feel free to skim over the quotes from the book.  They are just for reference.  Cut and paste questions are at the end.

"You could give it to me," said Alf, "but you might find that too hard. Will you come with me to my storeroom and put it back in the box where your grandfather laid it?"

"I did not know that," said the smith.

"No one knew but me. I was the only one with him."

"Then I suppose that you know how he came by the star, and why he put it in the box?"

"He brought it from Faery: that you know without asking," Alf answered. "He left it behind in the hope that it might come to you, his only grandchild. So he told me, for he thought that I could arrange that. He was your mother's father. I do not know whether she told you much about him, if indeed she knew much to tell. Rider was his name, and he was a great traveller: he had seen many things and could do many things before he settled down and became Master Cook. But he went away when you were only two years old and they could find no one better to follow him than Nokes, poor man. Still, as we expected, I became Master in time. This year I shall make another Great Cake: the only Cook, as far as is remembered, ever to make a second one. I wish to put the star in it."

Why do you suppose Rider, Smith’s grandfather, left and never came back?  Did Smith’s mother not know much about her father?  Why?  If there are no story internal answers, what are the story external reasons?

"Very well, you shall have it," said the smith. He looked at Alf as if he was trying to read his thought. "Do you know who will find it?"

"What is that to you, Master Smith?"

"I should like to know, if you do, Master Cook. It might make it easier for me to part with a thing so dear to me. My daughter's child is too young.”

"It might and it might not. We shall see," said Alf."

They said no more, and they went on their way until they passed out of Faery and came back at last to the village. Then they walked to the Hall; and in the world the sun was now setting and a red light was in the windows. The gilded carvings on the great door glowed, and strange faces of many colours looked down from the water-spouts under the roof. Not long ago the Hall had been re-glazed and re-painted, and there had been much debate on the Council about it. Some disliked it and called it "new-fangled," but some with more knowledge knew that it was a return to old custom. Still, since it had cost no one a penny and the Master Cook must have paid for it himself, he was allowed to have his own way. But the smith had not seen it in such a light before, and he stood and looked at the Hall in wonder, forgetting his errand.

He felt a touch on his arm, and Alf led him round to a small door at the back. He opened it and led the smith down a dark passage into the store-room. There he lit a tall candle, and unlocking a cupboard he took down from a shelf the black box. It was polished now and adorned with silver scrolls.

What is the significance of the remodeling of the hall and the changes to the black box?

He raised the lid and showed it to the smith.  One small compartment was empty; the others were now filled with spices, fresh and pungent, and the smith's eyes began to water. He put his hand to his forehead, and the star came away readily; but he felt a sudden stab of pain, and tears ran down his face. Though the star shone brightly again as it lay in his hand, he could not see it, except as a blurred dazzle of light that seemed far away.

"I cannot see clearly," he said. "You must put it in for me." He held out his hand, and Alf took the star and laid it in its place, and it went dark.

The smith turned away without another word and groped his way to the door. On the threshold he found that his sight had cleared again. It was evening and the Even-star was shining in a luminous sky close to the Moon.

What is the significance of Smith being blinded by tears and requesting help?

As he stood for a moment looking at their beauty, he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned.

"You gave me the star freely," said Alf. "If you still wish to know to which child it will go, I will tell you."

"I do indeed."

"It shall go to anyone that you appoint."

NE Brigand asked, “Does ‘Let him choose’ mean not just ‘choose a successor’ but also ‘choose whether to give up the star?’”

Smith gives up the star before knowing who will find it.  Would it have been easier for him if he knew if Tim would find it?  Why might it not have helped?

Cut and paste questions:

1. Why do you suppose Rider, Smith’s grandfather, left and never came back?  Did Smith’s mother not know much about her father?  Why?  If there are no story internal answers, what are the story external reasons?

2. What is the significance of the remodeling of the hall and the changes to the black box?

3. What is the significance of Smith being blinded by tears and requesting help?

4. NE Brigand asked, “Does ‘Let him choose’ mean not just ‘choose a successor’ but also ‘choose whether to give up the star?’”

5. Smith gives up the star before knowing who will find it.  Would it have been easier for him if he knew if Tim would find it?  Why might it not have helped?

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“I'd have to get a wash first, or he wouldn't know me.” – Sam, TT

Sing hey! for the bath at close of day
that washes the weary mud away!
A loon is he that will not sing:
O! Water Hot is a noble thing!
- Pippin, FotR