I
The Wright Little Tea Maker’s Challenge
Early each morning, all three set up their stalls and began their daily renditions, “…Best wares in town! None the finer! Pan’s, Kettles & Pennywhistles! Come look! You won’t find any better!…” was yelled whilst throwing winks to members of the crowd.
“...New shoes madam? I have them in all the seasons’ colours! Best leathers, bows or laces. Please, take your time. Come… look around… You may find a bargain!…”
“Teas, spices & herbs! The finest blends you’ll find nowhere else but in this town… from your trusty tea trader, Me! You know you’ve bought the right tea blend when you’ve bought from Mr Wright and Son's tea traders! Ceylon, Oolong, Canton and Turkish blends are just the start of what we have to offer. From afternoon sips to a digestive post-feast! I serve all flavours and I can blend to suit any appetite! Here Sir, try this. Freshly brewed with my finest of Kettles, bought - may I add - from that most trusty of gentleman over there!”
Each vied for the crowd's attention, claiming to sell the best of wares from far around. Their fierce competition with each other, emboldened them as they try selling to the swelling crowd. Customers came and browsed, looking or tasting as they went around. Then, tired, they would leave without spending a penny or even a pound. They left telling stories of wonder at what they’d pondered at each of the three curious little stands. They passed on their tall tales to their friends, filling their ears with the magnificent wonders seen in that old market town.
Now, through no fault of their own, all manner of maladies seemed to be plaguing the land. From high taxes and a call to arms by the Emperor to fight his war against his brother - rebel to our great Emperor’s nation. Landlords, naturally, raised rents to meet these exorbitant taxes and the cost of their empty houses after their tenants had been called to serve.
Many in the town had left, wives and children went to live with relatives in the countryside, escaping starvation in the dwindling town. Shops stood empty from bakers to wandmakers - closed because of fear of the Emperor’s recruitment gangs and his ban on magic, who many claimed his brother had and he did not - while dressmakers only stocked the poorest quality of weave and woollen bolts of cloth, worried by the flights of hungry white moths that appeared regularly in waves above the town.
So with little trade from the poor residents and even less from the passing traders from nearby market towns, the three stallholders’ were poorer than a beggar’s proffered hand. All that could be heard from a single pocket, was a faint jingling sound. Hidden in that pocket, nestled next to an old worn house key, slept a widely sought, yet unlucky golden pound. The coin - no other like it could be found - slumbered in that pocket, bringing bad luck to its owner and his town. All we can do is hope that one day it might be proffered or dropped upon the ground. However, this hasn’t happened. It still sits in its owner’s pocket and continues to make its faint jingling sound.
***
Seeing their coffers bare, trade scarce and all they owned tied up in stock,they realised very few customers could afford their wares. It seemed like time to move on. The Wright little tea maker, proposed to his fellow traders a challenge. With his heart filled with the best of intentions - but prone to misadventures - he gathered his competitors around, and said “Listen up! I challenge you all to make yourselves a fortune! Find the finest of your wares you can lay hands on. Then we’ll sell them to those richest of men who visit our fair towns on their way to see the Emperor and his Empress at court. Such a competition will bring many a customer to see what is at hand. If you dare take part, then do not depart, stay and listen! I … have a cunning plan!” Some turned away, afraid of misadventure, shaking their heads and returning to their stands. ‘It’ll never work’ they muttered, shoulders hunched, eyes upon the ground, already beaten it seemed, by these desperate times. Only two remained listening, focused on the tea trader without a sound. Totally enthralled, they listened with both their eyes and their ears and waited to hear this little man’s plan. He nodded to them with respect and continued “First we must sell all of our wares to ensure we each have coin for our adventure! Then you must each track down masters in your trade and learn or buy from them the finest of your goods or hone your talents. The one who returns with the most beautiful products and sells them at the highest profit will win hands down. But remember, play fair or you’ll forfeit any chance of winning here in this town. In that case your fate will mean you’ll be labelled a cheat for your deceit, and you’ll be chased like a thief out of town!” No more than a fleeting second of hesitation crossed their minds; all three nodded vigorously, visions of winning filling their eyes; piles of gold counted and stacked nearly touching the sky. He continued “We’ll meet back here in a year and with it, our fortunes will be assured. No stealing, no borrowing & no magic either! Spread the news and tell all you see upon your travels of your participation in our fair little competition and invite them to join!”
So all three packed up their stands and handed back the keys to their landlords. They sold all their stock to the other traders at what would be considered far too low a price. And for one last time, they looked over their shoulders at their poor little town in the afternoon light as they each set off down separate roads on their great adventure…
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