The Two Gifts
A feminist medieval tale about the choices in using power in relationships
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May you find this story to be a drawbridge into the joyous castle of contentment in all your relationships.
A long time ago, in the early days of England when Arthur and his court ruled at Camelot, there was a kind young man named Jonathan. He was an artist in the service of the court. Jonathan had created fanciful works of art for the court. He was well respected for his creativity.
That year, Jonathan became engaged to Anne of Avenforth. She was a fair maiden who was skilled as an accountant, in service for the queen and the king. Anne lived in a castle in the next county and their impending wedding was announced to the delight of all.
One week before the wedding, Jonathan was walking through the west wing of the castle, intending to see the king. He had recently been commissioned to sculpt a rendering of Queen Guenevere’s summer castle. He wanted King Arthur to inspect his plans. As he passed by a door in the hallway, he heard a sigh from one of the king’s scribes working at his desk. Pausing to look in the door, Jonathan saw Andrew standing by his printing device. He was looking for something in the piles of matter on his desk that might remedy his problem.
Jonathan rarely saw Andrew because of the divergence of their respective responsibilities. He did remember seeing the printing devices the court’s scribes were using. He often marveled at their mechanisms.
“What’s the matter, Master Andrew?” Jonathan said. “You look like you have scribe’s block.”
“Oh hello, Master Jonathan,” Andrew responded with some fatigue in his voice. “I have no patience with these machines. It seems that just when I am about to produce a…
