Puppets

In The Tinker’s workshop, unfinished puppets hang from the ceiling by their strings. He calls them Marionettes: reminders of his past mistakes. When a Marionette is born, the first thing it does is cry. It may plead to be cut down so it can play with the boys and girls who come in. But soon the joints begin to rust from disuse, and the wood begins to rot. Then the Marionette will cry no more, for even if it is cut down, it can no longer move of its own accord.

The Tinker keeps them hanging as a reminder—a warning to himself, in a way, that he carries life and death in each hand. Through his left eye he sees joy, and through the right he sees despair. A weaker man might tie one arm to his side or might keep his right eye shut. But The Tinker cannot work without both hands; he needs both eyes to see. So The Tinker allows himself to be surrounded by his failures, so that even while he creates life, he will be surrounded by death.

The Tinker wakes up bright and early, excited for the new day because his toy shop is about to receive a new addition. The Tinker walks from his room into his workshop and stands there. The swinging Marionettes moan and creak as he enters.

“Agreed,” The Tinker says cheerfully. “This place is a disaster.”

The Tinker walks around his workshop, his feet sticking to the floor, cleaning up the clutter that remained from his work the night before. While moving to tidy things up, he makes sure to put away his various tools: chisels, saws, and sanders, all methodically taken to their proper places. Once he is done, The Tinker stands for a minute, admiring his work.

“That’s much better! Wouldn’t you say?”

But the Marionettes just creak and shudder in response.

“Bah! There’s no appeasing you,” he says in mock defeat before making his way toward the showroom.

There, he can see all of his beautiful toys in their proper places. The shelves are all stocked so neatly, with only one empty spot remaining. Among his most popular toys are his “Puppets,” little wooden dolls with an unmatched charm to them. Admiring the darling wooden faces, The Tinker reaches into his apron’s pocket and pulls out a brand-new one. He is rather proud of this Puppet. Considering how much time it takes to make one, The Tinker really comes to appreciate each in its own regard.

After placing the Puppet on the shelf, he moves to unlock the door and flip the sign. The Tinker’s Toyshop is open, and he is ready for another exciting day. Moving behind his counter, The Tinker walks past his corkboard of various delightful reviews he’s had these past few months:

The Tinker’s Toyshop is just so charming!

From clocks, to cars, or even dolls, the

Tinker will have something for anyone.

My little girl just loves her new Puppet from that little place down by the church. Oh, it’s just so delightful. The two are practically inseparable. Having tea parties and dancing. I can’t even get that girl to be anywhere if she doesn’t have her Puppet in her arms.

I just bought a little wooden doll, Puppet, I think he called it, from that woodcarver. I thought it’d be a nice gift for my granddaughter, but I might just have to keep this one. It’s so delightful. I started telling it bedtime stories, which felt pretty silly at the time. But now it won’t go to bed without one. I’ve grown quite fond of this little one.

For just a moment, The Tinker pauses, admiring the board. Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out a crumpled piece of paper. With practiced motion, he finds an empty space and sticks a news article to the board.

Officers have officially called off the search for lost 9-year-old Jamie Elwood. The Town Marshal had this to say: “While we grieve with the Elwood family, it is time we accepted the facts. Wherever Jamie has gone, he is gone for good. There has been no evidence that the young man has run away, so we must assume that he was taken. After this long, it is safe to say that wherever he has gone, he will not be coming back.”

Just as The Tinker has finished, he hears the familiar ding announcing a young boy, holding onto his mother’s hand, entering the shop. The Tinker stutters once he recognizes the pair.

“Mrs. Elwood! It is so nice to see you!”

Rushing to them with a smooth gait, he takes the woman’s hand, clasping it between his own. “I heard the news. I am so terribly sorry, my lady. Anything that can be done for your family, you just say the word.”

Mrs. Elwood smiles warmly, then looks down toward the boy holding her hand. “Why don’t you go look around, son?” And so he does.

Once he is out of earshot, Mrs. Elwood speaks less cheerfully. “In all honesty, I am relieved by the news. After this long, we all knew he wasn’t coming back, but the waiting was torture. That last sliver of hope that maybe things can go back to the way they were was an unbearable weight on our family.”

“I see,” The Tinker says, running his hands through his hair. “And how is young Tommy taking the news?”

“He’s been quiet, always seems to be in his own world now. He doesn’t want to play sports anymore, and he’s not doing well in school. I thought maybe something like this might help distract him.”

“Why, that is a wonderful idea! Any idea what the tyke might be interested in?”

“Oh, please, no need for modesty. Word around town about your new toy, Puppets, I think they were called, has caused quite a stir. No doubt that’ll be what he’s after.”

Just that moment, little Tommy comes holding a beautiful little wooden doll, the very Puppet that The Tinker had just placed upon the shelf. Tommy’s eyes light up as he looks at it, and just like that, The Tinker can tell that Tommy has fallen in love.

“Can I get this one, Mom, please?” Tommy cries, practically begging.

Mrs. Elwood sighs. “How much will that run me?”

The Tinker smiles absently, then looks down at the boy and laughs. “I don’t think you can put a price on that. Consider it a gift.”

With that, Tommy jumps up into the air, dancing and laughing, spinning around with his new toy. “Well, Tommy,” says Mrs. Elwood, “he’s going to need a name.”Tommy stops for a moment and looks deep into the carved face of the Puppet.

“Jamie,” he says with confidence. “His name is Jamie.”

With that, the mother and son leave The Tinker’s Toyshop, and The Tinker goes back to work, feeling pride in his work and the joy that only he can give to a grieving child.