Chapter 8 - Sir Caprica

   While most of the animals were meeting with their knight guardians, Sir Caprica wandered between the groups.  He was listening for raised voices, scraps between species, and anyone who wasn’t following the “Grouse Truce,” agreement.   This time things were pretty quiet. There were the usual scraps between animals as they tried to have their concerns heard, but the truce was abided by.  Then he looked over to a group that had no knight by them.   “Can I help you?”  he asked the cluster, which was mainly full of birds.    “We are the real grouse. There are those who use our name in an unfair way,” said one of the Ruffed Grouse males.  He was flapping his wings making that drumming sound that the farm knew so well, but he was using it as a way of emphasizing his frustration.  “Why do you think Grousing Day is an insult to you?  People use Sir Assinine’s name in a negative way, but he knows that just means they are not educated. He is a donkey, or a burro, or an ass, not an unpopular human or someone’s hind end.”   “Grousing Day makes it sound like all we do is complain,” said the grouse-cock.   “Well, look at what you’re doing now.  You are grousing, aren’t you?” replied Sir Caprica.   The flock grew quiet.  “But this is the day we’re supposed to be able to express our frustrations, so that is what we’re doing,” replied one of the hens.  “You’re right, but no one is associating you with constant complaining, except possibly you.  People say I am the GOAT, the Greatest of All Time.  I know that isn’t true, but I choose to smile and enjoy the moment. I am just a goat, who happens to be a knight, but I am not the best goat, nor am I the best knight, there has ever been.  When people use terms like that they are just taking short cuts, not thinking things through.”  He paused for a bit and then finished with “Would you rather have us call it “Complaining Day?”  Would you come to an event that had that name. Grousing Day is a way of saying “this is a safe place to express your concern.”  Isn’t it better to be associated with a peaceful time than with complaining? “  The birds grumbled to themselves and agreed that it was all a matter of how you take a comment. From then on they would choose to feel honored by the peace instead of insulted.

  At that, Sir Caprica popped up like a touch-me-not blossom, kicked his heels into the air, and trotted over to the edge of the veil.  Someone was looking in.

  Standing at the edge of the wall that bordered the pasture, stood a family of humans.  The adults were watching the goats, and enjoying the forest, but Sir Caprica’s ears heard one of the children say “Is that a fairy?  Did you see that goat talking?”  Those children could see through the veil.

 He trotted over to Queen Agra and told her about his worry. “Don’t worry,” she said. “Human children see magic all around them. As they get older their vision narrows to “owning things,” but as youngsters, the kids know that there is a lot to see without controlling it, so they can see through most veils.”   Sir Caprica bowed, and turned to trot back to the veil.  He looked through to the human kids and said as clear as day, “Don’t tell anyone what you see here, okay?  This is a magic place and a special day.  We don’t want to interrupt the meetings, and we don’t want to destroy the magic here. Do you understand?”   The kids smiled and nodded. They whispered, “Is this always here? Can we come visit again sometime?”    “Yes, the veil is always here, but most of the time the magic is quiet.  You are always welcome to visit, but please don’t cross the veil. If one of us comes to talk with you, we’ll come to you. Humans have a way of pushing boundaries.”

  The children nodded. They had noticed that too.  “We’ll come again sometime, but we’ll try to make sure Mom and Dad are busy doing something else, ok?”    “That works fine,” said the goat. “I look forward to it.” And then he turned around to walk between the knight clusters.  The family stayed for awhile longer, and then got into their box on wheels, and left.