The Market Economy of the Small Creatures of Glen Meadow By Frieda Von Steuben, Master Healer, Healer’s Hall

Many humans have asked me what life is like for a typical creature in Glen Meadow. Do all the small animals have jobs? Isn’t the forest an idyllic setting to live free without responsibility? Why is Market Day so important to all the small creatures?

I’ll answer those questions by examining the work week of a typical wee creature. Let me introduce you to a young coppersmith who has just recently set up his own foundry and forge. He is an affable young hare named Diggi Lipton, and what follows is his weekly routine for bringing his wares to Market Day each Wednesday.

Wednesday, Market Day: Diggi got up at 4:00 AM, just before morning twilight. He bathed in the creek and dressed in his finest Market Day clothes. His knee pants were hand-me-downs from his father, the fabric was frayed a bit at the cuffs and thin in the seat. But, there were no holes or patches, they fit well and they still looked stylish. He wore a brocade linen shirt and a matching waistcoat that signified he was a Journey Level II Metal-crafter. He was most proud of his sword and buckler that he earned when he passed his Journey Level I exams. Finally, he brushed back his whiskers then donned his brown bowler hat. He was ready for the day.

Diggi foraged for any remaining food in the house and found a small sausage, some cheese and the heels of his last loaf of bread. He toasted them all over the hearth and savored a mug of herb tea before he left his burrow. He wanted to hit the trail at first light so that he could arrive in time to get a good spot to set up his booth.

The young rabbit pulled his loaded paw cart four miles south and then up hill to Market Rock. After a short rest, he bartered with Mum Wheezle for a dozen of her famous honey-nut muffins and a mug of tea. He ate three muffins immediately while he laid out his wares on a ground blanket. He had copper pots, kettles, molds and cooking sheets to sell and he prayed to the Maker that his goods were desirable enough to get what he needed for the coming week. He really craved fresh fruits and vegetables, he had run out three days ago and had been living on bread and cheese. He had a lot to learn about running a household and trading for the correct kinds of foods.

He worked hard all day, the bartering this week wasn’t as lucrative as it was the previous week, but he managed to make a few good deals. At least he wouldn’t starve. He traded one of his smaller kettles for a new pair of trousers that he’d wear at the dance next week. In addition to bread cheese and sausage, he traded for carrots, sweet potatoes, apples and grapes. If someone would teach him how to bake bread in his oven, he could save on the cost of bread and just barter for flour.

After bartering all day, Diggi packed up his cart and headed down the hill to the Market Day Dance where the entire community gathered to dance, gossip, flirt and catch up on all the news of the day. Down in the Burrow Inn, there was a thick, hot stew, fresh steamed brown bread, and plenty of ale to wash all the hearty food down. In the massive hall, the dance was already in progress, the musicians played all the favorite jigs, reels, polkas and waltzes while creatures of all species danced.

Diggi danced all night with the hope of starting up a relationship with a potential mate. Over the Summer, Diggi had managed to draw the attention of several young does, but they hadn’t committed to his courtship yet. His biggest competition for the affection of these young females has been the silversmith, who was both rich and handsome. Diggi hadn’t given up hope, but Fall was coming soon and he was eager to have a companion.

Thursday: Diggi woke up on the floor of the Burrow Inn at 4:00 AM. He had fallen asleep talking to some of his old friends sometime after midnight. He stumbled in the dim light of the oil night-lights to the toilet to appease his angry bladder. Did he really drink that much ale and eat that much bread? He fought the headache and queasy tummy caused by over-indulgence. He found the Master Healer and begged her for some bismuth and willow bark. He got both, plus a kiss on the cheek, a hug and words of encouragement from the Master Healer and his heart did a little flip-flop.

Diggi staggered to the kitchen and wasn’t surprised at the long service line. Many creatures were up early, the trip back home was a day and a half journey for some. He only had four miles to go. He choked down a bowl of thick porridge with raisins, two scones and two mugs of tea. He willed it to stay down, the bismuth hadn’t begun to work quite yet.

He double-checked the tie-downs on his paw cart and headed out across Glen Meadow toward Buckeye Hollow, four miles to the north along Misty Creek. He arrived home in mid-afternoon. He unloaded his cart and ate a hearty dinner of fresh fruit, toast with honey, and ale that he got at the Burrow Inn from Poppy Wheezle. He stored all his provisions away in his cupboards and stowed his cart up against the wall outside his front door. Finally, he rested in his favorite chair, put his paws up on a footstool, picked up his dulcimer and sang himself to sleep. Sometimes, he has cried himself to sleep, he wants so much to be in love and to start a family. He hadn’t counted on the fact that being out on his own was so lonely.

Friday: Diggi woke up just before first light. He lit the foundry, then sorted out scrap copper he had scavenged near some abandoned human-made buildings. He weighed out ten doses of copper and smelted each batch in the foundry one at a time. By midnight all ten copper batches had been poured into ingots.

Saturday: Again, Diggi awoke before twilight. He lit the forge and prepared to pound each ingot into flat sheets, a laborious job. He finished by midnight and had formed ten sheets of high quality copper.

Sunday: Sunday was Diggi’s day of rest. He slept in until dawn, then bathed in the creek. He visited his parents and siblings and ate Sunday dinner with them. They sang, played games, napped, joked and talked about all the news in the Meadow. Father Lipton offered Diggi a smoke from his pipe, but Diggi declined. He had once stolen his father’s pipe when he was a youngster and had thrown up several times after smoking half a bowl of pipe-weed. Some creatures just weren’t meant to smolder like a chimney.

Monday: Diggi slept overnight at his parent’s home so that he wouldn’t have to be alone and so that he could get some of his mother's carrot cheese quiche in the morning with hot coffee. Diggi woke up before dawn and was pleased that his mother was also awake.

While they had coffee and quiche, she informed him that a new girl moved into the village and that she will be at the Market Day Dance next week. Mom Lipton seems to know all the gossip in the village. Mom Lipton was also the neighborhood’s most successful matchmaker.

She packed Diggi off home with a whole carrot cheese quiche, some fresh vegetables from her garden and a motherly kiss. She was concerned that he was working too hard and that he wasn’t eating enough, but she admired his work habits and his happy attitude.

It was only an hour back to Diggi’s house and as soon as he arrived he relit the forge. The copper sheets were cut, heated and pounded into pots, pans, molds, utensils, and special orders. By midnight all copper work was finished and Diggi collapsed, exhausted into bed.

Tuesday: Diggi was up before dawn, the foundry relit, and scrap brass was sorted into batches to be melted. Brass was used to make fittings and handles for some of the pots and kettles. Copper utensils that were used for food were tinned, and all brass fittings were applied with rivets. Finally, all polishing and packing was completed and Diggi loaded up his cart by nightfall. Diggi washed his face and paws, ate a simple meal of the last of the fruit, said his prayers and collapsed into bed early. Tomorrow will pay for all.

Wednesday: Market Day: Diggi was up, bathed, dressed in his new clothes and eager to get to Market Rock. There was a new girl to meet, a new opportunity to make some new deals and perhaps today was the day that he found love. Anything could happen at Market Day.

Diggi did meet the new girl, her name is Mahogany Balsam and she is a Journey Level I cheesemaker. After a whirlwind courtship of a month, Mahogany agreed to marry Diggi in September. By the next spring, Mahogany and Diggi were expecting their first litter. Diggi also passed his Level III exams and was able to take apprentices, which brought in more income. Diggi and Mahogany have worked hard to make a place for themselves in the community and are loved by all who meet them. They are a beautiful couple.

It's a hard life, but it’s a good life. Our culture and heritage give us the roadmap for doing what we do. Our family and friends help us through the hard times and share with us during all the good times. This is why Market Day is the cultural high point of life in Glen Meadow.