Page 22 - The Grotesque Children's Book

“Ah, hello Amelia, come in, come in!” twittered Signore Vendiri. “What
can I sell you today?”

“A bundle of charcloths, please. A nice big bundle.”

“Oh,” said Signore Vendiri, a dark shadow passing over his face. “I'm
afraid I have sold the last of my charcloths yesterday morning. Everyone's
asking for charcloths this week! Everyone's fires are going out all over the
town, and refusing to re-ignite. Mayor Avido bought the last of my cloths this
morning. I think there are none left in all the country. Burnt, burnt, but
brought no fire.”

“No, that can't be!” said Amelia.”

“I'm afraid it is. Even I myself. Look at my foot-stove. Cold as ice. It
seems that fire, on which we have relied for a thousand years -- ten
thousand! -- it seems fire no longer burns anything. There is no more heat in
fire itself.”

“As though the fire is tired.”

“Exactly!”

“Signore Vendiri, I think I might be able to coax the fire to return. Just
for a moment, just enough to warm ourselves. I think we've been greedy, and
just need to show some humility and generosity towards others.”

“Fire doesn't work like that, Amelia. If there is even a little of it, there
will be plenty for everyone. It will spread and spread.”

“Only if it wants to,” I think. Amelia thought hard, and looked around at
Signore Vendiri's foot-stove. “Please, Signore Vendiri. I can't go back to my
father without charcloth. Surely you have some left. Surely you didn't sell
your last bundle.”

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