Polly Brown

by Tricia Bennett

  Polly stood in stunned silence, her mind working overtime. Was Ralph trying to hint that maybe something as truly amazing might possibly happen to her one day? Did it mean that there was a real possibility that one day she could find herself becoming England’s prime minister, and thereby control the country’s wealth? That would surely mean she had control over all the food being transported in and out of the country.

  “Oh, wow!” Polly gasped, hardly able to contain her excitement as her irrepressible imagination ran riot.

  She knew she’d have no problem accepting the job when it was offered to her. And if not prime minister of England, then how about minister for agriculture, for she figured that post surely had to involve food. Finally she decided that if none of those positions were available, she would very happily settle for becoming the new owner of the Copper Kettle tearoom. She would change the name to Polly’s Pantry Royal Tearoom, and then she would do the most wonderful prince and princess birthday parties. She would also serve the finest Hodgekiss pies, Piadora puddings, pizzani lasagnas, and so on. Oh, not forgetting wonderful sandwiches, only this time with freshly baked bread. Polly’s mouth began to water just thinking about the endless possibilities that owning the tearoom would bring.

  “Yes,” she thought rather excitedly, “all the food would be made and served up with ladles of love.” Polly shook her head as if to tell herself to wake up and stop daydreaming, for none of this would or could possibly ever happen to a pathetic little wretch such as Polly Brown.

  Ralph smiled, for he knew her thoughts. “Polly, the story of Joseph is real. It is a true account of historical events that happened to a real man in a real place, and it is recorded in this most ancient of books. And although I cannot predict what your future holds, I can say that if you dare to have faith, then anything is possible. Yes, Polly, anything!”

  Polly still remained absolutely silent. She was not convinced by his stories, although she had little choice but to conclude that if they were true then they were pretty amazing.

  “Polly, people who insist on playing it safe rarely fulfill their dreams. For it takes great persistence and courage to follow after them.”

  She was impressed with Ralph’s thought-provoking insights, but certainly not ready to back down. As she could talk the hind legs off the back of a donkey, she determined that she wasn’t finished yet!

  “Well, that’s all well and good, Ralph, but if, like me, you lived in an orphanage that feels more like a prison, what then?”

  “Well, believe it or not, Polly, even that is covered in this most ancient of books. For there was a whole nation of people called the Israelites, and these dear people lived in bondage and slavery in a place called Egypt under a tyrant king who went by the name of Pharaoh. Every day brought them more pain and affliction.”

  “Oh, I know what that’s like,” interrupted Polly.

  “Then one day they were released from their years of slavery,” continued Ralph, most determined to finish his story.

  “At first they were delighted with their newfound freedom. But after spending years in the desert going around and around in circles, they became very fed up. The reason they were stuck in the desert so long was simply because they were afraid to go and take the land they had been promised. Oh, they had seen miracles all right. Even getting out from under Pharaoh’s feet had been against all the odds. But in truth they carried all their old bondages, or rather baggage, with them,” he said, slowly shaking his head.

  “Ralph, what was their baggage?” Polly asked, for she was most curious to know all. “I mean, if I had a long journey ahead of me, I would never take my bed or my bedside locker with me. And I would certainly leave the curtains for the next people. And there would be no point whatsoever in taking the fridge, for without electricity it would never work properly, would it Ralph?”

  Ralph smiled a smile of light despair. “Well, Polly, I’m not actually referring to physical items such as household furniture. No, I am referring to the affairs of the heart and mind. It was undoubtedly all the fear and failure of the past that troubled and gripped them like a vise, refusing to let go. They were unable to abandon these chains of the mind that tied them down and zapped their courage. So, having heard that giants were occupying the land they were heading for, they sat down and accepted defeat as their lot in life. Polly, can you believe it? Fear actually prevented them from fulfilling their dream of living in a new land flowing with milk and honey!”

  When Polly heard the word milk, she couldn’t help interrupting Ralph again. After all, milk was a really big issue to Polly. She loved the stuff but hated the lumpy, powdery liquid that she and the other foster children were forced to pour over their stale cereal every day. Now he was really talking her language.

  “Ralph,” said Polly thoughtfully. “I really love milk, so I can’t believe that the promise of as much as they could drink was not enough to persuade them to get off their backsides and have a jolly good try at giving those giants a good beating. I would at least have considered throwing a brick or two their way if I thought I might just be able to get hold of a bottle of the real stuff. As much as I adore honey, I love cold, fresh milk even more.”

  Ralph forgave Polly for yet again interrupting him. For he was beginning to get quite used to this talkative young lady who could not only divert conversations, but who could also easily turn every comment into a lengthy debate. However, he hoped this assignment would not turn into a lifetime commission as she grappled and argued every detail in their rather extensive conversations. He scratched his head as he pondered over this troublesome thought before continuing on with his story.

  “Now, Polly, you might be interested to know that there were two men who had been young lads when they left Egypt. Once they saw what they were going to miss if they hung around in the desert, they were having none of it. They determined to go after their dream and take the land, regardless of the personal cost. The two lads tried their hardest to persuade all the tribes to find the courage and join them. They even sneaked into the land and brought back grapes so large and juicy they could hardly carry them. But sadly, even this failed to persuade all the others to get off their rumps and at the very least have a good try to take the land. Not only were the tribes not prepared to listen but also they even considered going back to the land in which they had once been slaves. Can you believe that, Polly?”

  It was now Polly’s turn to smile, for she could well believe it. The chances were very high that she would have been among those who chose to stay and take their chances in the desert, for her problem with fear was no different from theirs. She would have been positively terrified! So perhaps after all, the promise of as much milk as she could drink might not have been enough to persuade her. However, she chose to keep this tiny thought from Ralph as he soldiered on with the story.

  “The two brave and very courageous men were Joshua and Caleb. I believe the name Joshua means ‘wholehearted,’” said Ralph, showing great excitement as he continued on. “So while all the people in the desert stood around whining about their lot in life, Joshua and Caleb refused to be fainthearted. Oh, they almost certainly had to deal with their fears, but they decided to go anyway! So there you have it, Polly. Of all the people who left Egypt and the land of slavery, these two were the only ones who got to live in the new land that they had been promised many years beforehand. I believe this to be an amazingly true story, for it shows you what faith mixed with determination can do for any person who will run with their dreams.”

  “Oh, they are wonderful stories, Ralph. Truly they are, but all my dreams are dead. I don’t feel like I have any future at all,” she said, feeling instantly discouraged and defeated. “Besides, all your stories are about men of valor and courage. You have failed to even mention a woman who went on to greatness. And if you hadn’t noticed, I just happen to be a girl of little strength—and a pretty useless one at that!”

  “Polly, what’s your middle name?” quizzed Ralph, delib
erately choosing to ignore her personal character assassination.

  “I don’t have one,” said Polly sadly. “I’m just plain old Polly Brown.”

  “I don’t believe that to be true,” said Ralph, gently challenging her.

  “No, really Ralph. I don’t have a middle name,” she insisted.

  “All right,” said Ralph. “But I happen to know that when you were confirmed, you were given another name, were you not?”

  “Yes,” said Polly rather hesitantly, “but I did not choose it. No, all the other children were allowed to choose a name they liked, but my guardians chose mine for me, and I hate it.”

  “Go on, Polly,” urged Ralph. “Spill the beans and tell me what name you were given.”

  Polly felt put in a corner. She was beginning to feel most uncomfortable. So it was with the greatest reluctance that she confided her middle name. “Please don’t laugh at me, will you, Ralph?” she begged.

  She took a deep breath. Then, after much hesitation and in little more than a whisper, she muttered, “It’s Esther.”

  “Esther!” exclaimed Ralph very loudly. “Why, that’s a wonderful name.”

  “Oh, sure, it’s really great. Polly Esther Brown.” She waited for Ralph to click on. He didn’t. “Polyester. Don’t you see the problem?”

  Ralph looked confused, for he appeared not to see what she was driving at.

  “Oh, come on, Ralph,” said Polly, feeling rather agitated. “Do I have to spell it out for you? I mean, are you really that thick? Polyester!”

  Ralph still did not appear to understand what Polly was getting at, forcing her to become even more exasperated with him.

  “Ralph, do you live on this planet or are you from another universe?”

  Ralph refused to be drawn into such a line of questioning.

  “Look, Ralph. Polyester is a cheap, clingy material,” she cried. “So even my name is a byword, something to laugh at. Not only am I Polly Brown, a sad and sorry excuse for a human being, but even my name is a joke as well. It was just one more thing to humiliate me. And the other children often use it to mock and ridicule me much of the time.” Polly looked at Ralph despairingly, at the same time thinking, “He’s as thick as the cheese sandwiches I make for him if he is unable to clearly see what I’m going on about.”

  “You will have to forgive my ignorance, Polly, but I can only see what I wish to see, and I would sincerely advise you to do likewise. People can only hurt you if you choose to let them. As for me, I prefer to think on things that are wonderful and of good report.”

  “Oh! So what you are really saying, Ralph, is that sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me. Well, you’re quite wrong,” Polly rather glumly insisted. “Whoever made up that saying obviously had no idea what they were talking about, Ralph. For when I’m beaten, it hurts, but that pain is, in time, little more than a memory. However, the terrible things that have been said to me, particularly by Aunt Mildred and Uncle Boritz, are then constantly repeated by the children. Well, those words not only hurt like crazy, but they live on to torment me day and night. Those scars are here to stay!” she yelled.

  “Oh, Polly,” said Ralph very softly. “These scars that have wounded you so deeply are caused by the despicable words of cowards and bullies, and you have suffered much by allowing yourself to take them on board. It is you who has given those words permission to take root in your heart and soul. Yes, Polly, and these have become the seemingly insurmountable giants in your land. It is these that you will need to conquer.”

  “I can’t. At least not while I remain imprisoned in this horrible orphanage,” she lamented. “Gailey Gobbstopper is the worst of all. She sleeps in the next bed, and she taunts me every night with her unkind words until I feel I am screaming inside. She only stops when she finally falls asleep. She was also really cruel and horrid to Thomas. He found it equally unbearable.”

  As Ralph listened to Polly, he felt nothing but the deepest compassion for her, for he witnessed that her heart was indeed near to breaking. He also knew that deep down she felt responsible for what happened to Thomas, and no amount of words on his part would dissuade her of this lie. However, he wholeheartedly agreed with Polly’s diagnosis that she had no hope while she remained in the orphanage. All necessary healing could only take place once Polly was finally away from this home. He knew from much experience that this type of scarring could take many years and as many tears to heal. He therefore resigned himself to making the deepest of sighs.

  Ralph waited until Polly had run out of steam, and then, giving her a gentle pat on the back, said, “Polly, I want to go back to your middle name. As I mentioned earlier, it is a lovely name. Now, I know it was chosen with the intention of hurting you further, but you asked me for a true tale that had a woman as the heroine. Well, there are many women in this ancient book who, despite hideous trials and tribulations, went on to do amazing exploits. The one I wish to tell you about is the story of a young girl who, funnily enough, was named Esther. Let me assure you, Polly, this story is no fairy tale. Just like the other tales I have shared with you this night, this too is a historical fact.”,

  Polly dried her eyes, and for once she listened intently.

  “Just like you, Polly, Esther was an orphan. And what happened to her parents is sadly not recorded. She was alone in life and was raised by her uncle, and they were poor. Also Esther was a Jew, and just like you, Polly, she and her people were despised. So she had to keep her true identity a secret. I am not going to tell you the whole story, for I want you to go in search and find the ancient book. When you do find it, you must promise to read her story. It is a wonderful story where she not only gets to become queen, but, against all the odds, she also saves all her people. She went through great persecution and trials, but she was a woman of courage who stood by her convictions. I think you are very like her, Polly!”

  Polly felt touched that Ralph could liken her to anyone who had courage, for she saw herself as little more than a useless blob.

  She chose not to share this little detail with him, for she was in too much despair.

  “So are you saying that you want me to go and search high and low in order to find this so-called ancient book, Ralph?” Polly asked, her voice tinged with annoyance. “If the book is hidden, then it will probably take me years of hunting around until I find it. Oh, that’s just perfect, isn’t it? Well, I can’t do it, for I am tired and fed up with looking for answers.”

  “You will become more tired running away from finding answers than going in search of them, Polly,” Ralph said meaningfully. “Look, Polly, nothing in life just happens by chance. What I mean is that all that has happened in your young life is for a purpose, just like Esther was born to save her people.”

  “And just who are my people?” Polly asked despairingly.

  “I think you already know the answer to that one,” responded Ralph.

  “Oh, why do you speak in riddles, Ralph?” cried Polly, quite exasperated as she wondered where this conversation was going. “You know I am an orphan, and therefore I have no people, unlike this so-called Esther. I’m ‘Polly Nobody.’ Nobody cares and nobody listens. I’m a real nobody’s child.”

  “Look, Polly, when you eventually free yourself from all this self-hatred and self-loathing that is clouding your heart and mind, then there will come a day when you will recognize who your people truly are. And then you will thank God. He made you Polly Brown with Esther as your middle name. Trust me, for I never lie.”

  Polly was well-and-truly stumped. And as she stood, momentarily silenced by the thought that maybe, just maybe, she had been born for some useful purpose, she was left with no choice but to give in. Yes, surrender. And for the first time ever she found herself ignoring, even denying, the tormenting voices that were constantly invading her heart and mind. For they whispered to her that Hodgekiss, Ralph, Piadora, and Hoolie Koolie trees were little more than ridiculous fantasies that beckoned her to follow afte
r them to the brink of a cliff and then far beyond into a world of complete madness!

  The time was getting very late, and with the shoes all polished and shining, Polly asked Ralph if he would pass on something that she wanted Hodgekiss to have. He said he would be seeing him very shortly and would be happy to pass on whatever Polly wished to give him. Polly thanked him and plunged her hand into the bottom of her pocket at the side of her frock. She pulled the small item out and handed it to Ralph. It was a packet of toothpicks.

  “I think he needs these,” said Polly with a smile.

  Ralph smiled back and replied, “I do believe you could be right, Polly.”

  With their conversation over, he buttoned up his coat with the one remaining button that was still attached, and, giving Polly a light peck on the cheek, he turned on his heels and left, closing the back door behind him.

  Polly turned off the light and left the room, heading for the staircase and bed. She felt very tired and frail, and she still had to think up a way of getting to Thomas’s funeral. The last thing she remembered as she got into bed was giving a big yawn. For Polly to fall asleep so suddenly with no huffing and puffing as she wrestled with the pillow and the bedclothes was something of a miracle. What she did not know was that this would be the first of many miracles as she got closer to going on the adventure of a lifetime!

  Chapter 13

  THE POPPY FIELD

  THE NEXT DAY there was a most disconcerting rumor circulating amongst the children at the orphanage. At first Polly wondered what on earth was going on and feared another family meeting might well be the reason for all the secretive whisperings. After much persuasion and pleading from Polly, Cecil Bogswater broke ranks and told her the latest piece of salacious gossip that was causing sensational ripples within the walls of the castle. Polly found herself smiling as she listened, hoping and praying that there was some truth to Cecil’s wild story. She knew from past experience that most events in the castle tended to get more colorful and spiced up as the news passed between informants. On this occasion Cecil’s story proved to be true, as it was confirmed by Tommy Pulleyblank and Bertha Banoffee later that morning.