Poor Owen
Deep in the Oldlandian Mountains, the Grand River cuts out a basin of rich farmland wrapping around the tiny village of Westgrovia. Good people lived here, including Owen.
Enter into Owen’s world through the woodcut illustrations of Wick Williams that accompany the story Poor Owen, written by Lassiter Williams (to be published in 2023).
“Poor Owen had a smile as warm as the sun, and he shared it with everyone. But the townspeople shook their heads and clucked their tongues at the sight of him, for he slept in haystacks and ate berries from the forest. It is tragic, the townspeople said, the poor boy has nothing.”
“Among the townspeople there lived a wealthy merchant who spared no expense on his only daughter. From the day of her birth she had been festooned in silk and pearls until she shimmered and shone always. The townspeople sighed longingly at the sight of her, and she was simply called the Jewel. It is a blessing, the townspeople said, the lucky girl has everything.”
One day Poor Owen was wandering through town and came upon the merchant's house. There he saw the Jewel on her balcony, brushing her ebony hair with an ivory comb and studying her opalescent skin in a silver mirror. Poor Owen was dazzled, and every day after he returned for another glimpse. The townspeople shook their heads and clucked their tongues at this. For, they said, the Jewel is a treasure Poor Owen can never afford.
One morning while Poor Owen was admiring the Jewel, one of her suitors appeared. "I have offered you all that I own," the suitor cried. "Yet you will not have me! Why?!" The Jewel replied daintily, "You are a farmer. You offer me nothing but dirt and smelly cows. Bring me silver, rubies, gold, and diamonds, and I will have you." As the suitor staggered away in despair, Poor Owen thought about silver, rubies, gold, and diamonds.