Sunpenny Publishing: Writing Competitions

CHRISTIAN SHORT STORY COMPETITION:

SECOND PLACE WINNER

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"The Innkeeper's Gift"

by Gareth P Jones, Hailsham, England

Abraham leaned on the rough wood railing which bordered the porch at the front of his inn. His hard eyes contentedly scanned the dusty, sun-scorched courtyard; this business with the census had created all kinds of chaos, but he did not complain. He welcomed the increase in his business as people were forced to travel to their home towns. That his guests did not want to travel, and would not normally choose to stay at his inn was of no concern to him.

Martha, Abraham's wife, stubbornly refused to share his joy from this newfound financial windfall. She seemed to be more concerned with the weariness and fatigue of their guests than the money they brought with them. Abraham could not convince her that they were running a business, and that it was important for them to seize any opportunity to make money. The barn out back was particularly lucrative; animals and possessions alike needing a place to be stored overnight. When all the inns were overcrowded, high rates could be charged for any available space. People did not come to stay at this poor inn if they wanted to be comfortable. There was nothing wrong with putting two or even three families in the same room at double the normal prices. If they didn't want to pay, they did not have to stay; they could choose to move on or even sleep under the stars.

A slow movement at the edge of the courtyard disturbed Abraham's happy thoughts of making money. He squinted and stared toward this unwelcome intrusion. A bedraggled figure staggered into view, Abraham stiffened and let out a bellow.

'Levi, what are you doing, you lazy, good for nothing monkey?'

In response, a boy, who consisted more of bones than flesh, staggered closer to the porch. Two jugs of water, each almost as tall as the boy, weighed him down. He shuffled to a stop in front of Abraham.

'Yes master?' Levi kept his head down, too scared to look Abraham in the face.

Abraham, impervious to the boy's discomfort, carefully contemplated the situation. Levi did not look up from the ground. Abraham forced his voice to be calm as he spoke. 'Out of the goodness of my heart, when my wife found you on the streets, I allowed her to feed and shelter you. Given this kindness of mine, is it asking too much for you to help out with the occasional chore in a prompt manner? I know that you are such an ungrateful wretch that you will never repay my kindness; but as I am a patient man, I will wait to receive my reward in heaven.'

Abraham paused, and glared at Levi. Levi stood still, the ropes around the jars digging deeper into the scant flesh of his shoulders. He had learned from past, bitter experience not to cry out or show pain, as this was rewarded with the verbal attack being prolonged.

After a few moments, Abraham opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Martha came out of the house and interrupted, 'Levi, there you are, I am waiting for that water.' Abraham turned to his wife, but her face told him that there was no point arguing with her. Levi gratefully made his way into the house.

Man and wife stood at the front of the inn, their eyes impassively resting on each other. Abraham broke first, 'Make sure you don't you feed the boy until he has done all of his work.'

'He's only a boy, look at him, all skin and bones.'

'I am master of this house. You will do as I say.' Without waiting for a reply, Abraham turned and walked back into the inn.

Martha leaned on her broom, it was her turn to stop and think. Her face softened as she remembered when they were both young and so much in love. They had barely made a living from the inn, but they were so happy working side by side. She had not noticed their great love changing, ebbing away until it was too late. They had not been blessed with children, and Abraham's love for her turned into an obsession about money. It was as if wealth might fill the emptiness in his life. Not that money had ever brought them happiness. Pieces of gold and silver could not take the place of what Abraham felt was missing. She felt tears well at the corners of her eyes, tears for the man who had once been. Martha could feel a dark grief begin to overtake her thoughts and before it could take hold, she forced herself to concentrate on the drudgery of the day ahead, efficiently whisking the broom over the porch before going back inside.

The rest of the day passed in the normal routine. Guests grumbled and were ignored. Abraham stood over Martha in the kitchen, monitoring the amount of food being prepared, shouting at Levi, and as always, talking about the money they were spending. That evening, the guests retired early to their rooms, primarily in an attempt to secure a preferred space. Once in their rooms they seldom left. The ones that had comfortable spaces were frightened of losing them. The others sat like predators, waiting for those with the most comfortable spots to leave in answer to the call of nature. Martha and Abraham sat in front of the inn after the guests had retired for the night. This had been their daily habit started when they were first married.

Out of the dark, a shuffling alerted them to the approach of a weary traveller. The man stopped at the edge of the flickering, pale yellow light cast by the lamp hanging over the porch. Martha and Abraham regarded the man as he summoned up the energy to speak.

'I need a room.'

'Sorry all full up.' Abraham spoke slowly, assessing the man. He determined that this traveller was not in a position to pay enough even for a shared room.

'Please, you have to help me, my wife is pregnant, and I have been all over town looking for a place for her. I don't need anything for myself, but please, I'll pay anything, just to find her a place to rest.'

Martha could feel Abraham starting to bristle. When he smelled money there was a tingle of excitement in the air around him. Abraham started to rub his hands together and opened his mouth, but before any words came out, Martha spoke.

'There is no room at the inn. For your wife's sake you are welcome to stay in the stable tonight if you want. There are animals in there, but there is plenty of clean straw, so your wife can be made warm and comfortable.' There was a brief silence, and then she added quickly, 'and at least it won't cost you anything.'

She turned to her husband with hard defiance in her eyes. Abraham didn't dare reply; something stirred inside him, a faint memory of the eyes of a young bride that shone with fiery energy and determination. The moment passed, and Abraham looked at the traveller.

'If you want a meal and water, we have the best food at the most reasonable prices.' He smiled; there could be some profit from this traveller after all.

The relief was visible on the traveller's face. He stepped back into the darkness, returning a few minutes later leading a donkey. The donkey was carrying bundles of possessions and a very pregnant woman. Martha stepped forward to help. Keeping up a soft stream of comforting words, she accompanied the woman to the barn at the back of the inn. The traveller followed, and tended to his wife's comfort, before collapsing into an exhausted sleep himself. A few minutes later Abraham appeared with a tray of food and a jug of water.

'They'll still have to pay for this, even if they don't eat it.' He grumbled to himself as he sat the tray down. Martha and the animals ignored him, except for the Donkey who had carried the woman; he regarded Abraham balefully while slowly chewing a mouthful of hay. Martha ushered Abraham out of the barn before he could disturb their new guests.

The following morning, before Abraham had arisen, Martha visited the barn. She saw that the woman was in no state to travel and brought blankets and food.

'Ignore Abraham,' she told them, 'stay as long as you need, we will help as much as we can.' She could not get over the serenity of the lady, and was touched by the gracious gratitude of the traveller. Even the donkey seemed to be calm, and gave her a gentle head nudge on her way out of the barn, as if he were also saying 'thank you.'

That evening, Martha did not sit with her husband on the steps. She was in the barn, giving what aid she could to the birth. Abraham did not go in, but observed his wife from a distance. Without Martha next to him, he felt lost; but that was not the only thing that was bothering him. He saw how focussed she was on helping this stranger. He had forgotten her compassion, and how gentle she was. The wrinkled skin, scars of a lifetime of hard work, could not mask the beautiful person who he married so long ago. Hours later, when Martha reluctantly left the barn, Abraham quickly went into the inn so she did not see him watching her. When she got into their room, it appeared as if Abraham had been asleep for many hours.

The following morning, Abraham made sure he was up first. He started to walk softly to the barn, and stopped suddenly in surprise when he saw several shepherds look with adoration at the new baby. Something told him not to disturb them, and he returned to the inn to start business for the day.

In the evening, when the guests had retired and Martha was still working, Abraham approached the barn quietly.

'Everything all right in here?' he asked gruffly.

The traveller looked rested, and came over and held Abraham by the arms. 'Thank you my friend, I don't know how we can ever repay you. You gave us shelter, a place for my son to be born.'

Abraham turned and looked at the lady and babe, both gazing at him serenely. There was a maelstrom of emotions inside of him as he turned back to the man. He would have fainted if the traveller was not still holding him. Pleadingly, Abraham looked deep into the man's eyes.

The traveller, squeezed his arm reassuringly, 'You must be a father as well, to look after us the way you have done.'

Abraham dropped his head in shame, he could not reply, confused he mumbled so that they could hardly hear him, 'may I see the baby please?'

The traveller had not let go of Abraham's arms and he gently led Abraham over to his wife and the manger in which the baby lay. Abraham could feel his feet get heavy; he needed the reassurance of the traveller's grip on his arms to approach this child. At the manger, Abraham looked down at the child, serene and radiant. He could feel his heart fill with joy, erupting out of the cold dark box in which he had buried it. Tears of joy flooded his eyes and he prostrated himself in front of the child. Sobbing hard, the turmoil of his emotions was stilled by the gentle hand of the lady on his shoulder.

Abraham stood and faced the traveller and his wife, 'It is I who cannot repay you. I am not worthy enough for you to visit my humble home.'

'My friend,' the traveller replied, 'you have sheltered and fed my new family, when no-one else would.'

Abraham lowered his eyes in shame, 'It was my wife who helped you, not I.'

The traveller gently lifted Abraham's face, so he could look in his eyes. 'Then both you and I have had the fortune to marry good women.'

Abraham could feel the weight of many years misery lift from his heart. He felt invigorated and young again. A thought occurred to him, 'You said I must have been a father; that was before I told you that my wife was the one who looked after you.'

'I just assumed the young man working around the inn was your son. He looks to be a fine young man.'

Abraham was too bemused to reply, he simply embraced the traveller 'Anything you need, please, let me know. You must stay here as long as you need, and don't worry about anything, we'll look after you as best we can.'

Abraham turned and quickly left the barn. He could see Levi struggling with two jars of water. 'You, boy!' he bellowed, 'What do you think you are doing?'

Levi stopped, frozen in fear. Martha came out of the inn to see what all the noise was about. She did not know whether to laugh or cry, for coming up the path was Abraham, carrying the jugs of water, with Levi walking beside him. Levi no longer looked scared, just confused. Martha could hear Abraham's voice, the tone in which he spoke to Levi was gentle and loving, just as she remembered it when they were first married.

'Levi, you are too young to work so hard. After we get this water into the house, we shall see about getting you some food.' Levi continued to gaze at him, not quite sure if he was dreaming or not.

'From today, you will live in this house as my son, and I will not have any son of mine working like a servant. I am the innkeeper, not you.'

He stopped short in front of Martha and put the water jugs down. 'Wife, I have told Levi he is to consider himself our son.'

Martha did not reply, but looked him in the eyes. They were no longer small and hard, but warm; they were the eyes of the man she had married many years ago. He blushed under her scrutiny and said quietly, 'You brought this boy into our house. You always told me that you would give me a son.'

He knelt in front of her and took hold of her hands, 'Can you find it in your heart to forgive a stupid, stubborn man who has been too blind to notice my wonderful family.'

He looked up at her. She could see his eyes moisten. He stood and pressed his lips to hers, the kiss soft and sweet. He pulled away slightly, 'I have to make amends to the guests in my house.'

At first, the guests were highly suspicious when Abraham tried to return their money and invited them to occupy his personal rooms to reduce the overcrowding. Some were even frightened by the apparent change in this man, and were worried that he had been possessed by a daemon. Martha joined her husband, and together they managed to reassure the guests of their good intentions. Martha and Abraham sat up all night on the porch. That night they did not need a bed chamber to keep them warm.

After a few days, the traveller, his wife, and son left the barn. Other guests left too, and life settled down to a comfortable, happy rhythm. If not the most luxurious inn, it was certainly the happiest.

As the years passed, the inn became famous for its generosity. People knew that they could go there, even if they had no money and nowhere else to go. Abraham never made a fortune, but he considered himself the richest man in the world. Martha was happy, the man she had known had come back to her, and she had a son of her own to raise. Levi found that he had two loving and kind parents.

Martha and Abraham had many happy years together, each night sitting on the porch of their inn, never running out of things to say to each other. They never forgot the travellers who had stayed in their barn and talked about them often.

Eventually Martha passed on, and although Abraham missed her terribly, he found some comfort in knowing that anyone as kind and gentle as Martha would go straight to heaven and was with God. Abraham carried on as best he could, offering hospitality to people who needed it, just as Martha would want him to.

A year after she died, Abraham was sitting on the porch as he did every night, still conversing with Martha. He found himself thinking about the night the traveller with the pregnant wife had stayed in his barn. A shuffling of tired footsteps from the dark interrupted Abraham's thoughts.

'Do you need lodging?'

The man did not reply. Abraham looked at the man; it took a long time for his old eyes to recognise the traveller.

'I travel by myself today. I have come a long way to see you again.'

'It is good to see you. I have thought about you often over the past years. I wish my wife was also here to meet you again.'

Abraham struggled out of his chair and embraced the traveller. The traveller smiled at Abraham and took his hands. 'It is time for both of us to go meet our wives. It is a long journey, and I thought that you might like to travel together.'

Abraham stood straight, his body no longer old and infirm, the traveller giving him strength. 'Yes I would like that very much.' Arm in arm they walked past the inn and the barn, into the peaceful darkness.

JUDGES' COMMENTS:

Lucy McCarraher: "I actually found this very moving, but didn't feel I could score it any higher as the style wasn't wonderful and the story was somehow more superficial in the telling."

Jo Holloway: "This story's main appeal for me lies in it's unusual angle and freshness. It's a new take on the Christmas story, and has good emotional and spiritual appeal. However the writing itself is sometimes stilted, and could do with tightening up and polishing - as could the punctuation and style. And as with so many of the entries, the ending could do with being more impactful. The writer shows a lot of promise, and these are simply technical issues that can be worked on and improved in future projects. Nothing a good editor couldn't sort out! :-) "

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Gareth P Jones: "I am a manager of a high technology firm in the South East of England and started writing fiction about 4 years ago as a creative outlet from my work routine. In my school days, I loved writing stories and I wanted to rediscover the pastime. I enrolled in a creative writing course at a local college, and started a novel as part of the course; my first draft was completed last year.
         The idea which evolved into “The Innkeeper’s Gift” came to me on a flight to Chicago in December 2005. A combination of altitude, red wine and finishing the in-flight magazine crossword set the mood for a contemplation of the nativity. For me, the gift of shelter from the Innkeeper was as significant as the gifts from the Magi, and it seemed that the story was worth investigating. I developed the idea and entered the Sunpenny Christian Short Story competition as a means of getting the story to an audience. This story is significantly different from other things I have written, but the message it contains makes me very fond of it.
         I have several ideas for novels and short stories, and intend to enter more competitions. The prize money from this competition will fund other entry fees. I hope to develop my craft as a writer with short stories and sincerely hope that people will get pleasure from reading them.
         I am originally from North Wales and recently returned from 17 years abroad working in the United States. I am married and have one son and a cat – unfortunately, neither respects the peace and tranquillity required for me to write."

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