The City of Men

In the small city of Gia, so they say, it happened that for one generation women only gave birth to boys. The city’s elders believed it was a curse put upon them by an evil witch of the Hissing Woods, as the Paladin’s daughter was said to have seduced the witch’s son. For the city it was a disaster, as it meant that all boys had to leave their families behind when they were old enough and look for a wife. For Gia it meant that all young workforce would leave, and Gia would become the city of the old and helpless.

One summer day, the birds seemed to sing especially beautiful. There was a sweet smell in the air from flowers that the citizens of Gia haven’t smelled in very long. And then it happened that the wife of the city’s painter gave birth to a beautiful daughter, called Shina.

The city of Gia prepared a large festive for the family, as it seemed that the curse was broken. Since the little girl was born, her family was blessed with many gifts from the other families in Gia, as they all wanted to show them their affection. But it happened, that the girl was the only one for many more years, so when she grew up, she had to choose among all men of the town.

Illustration by  David Revoy

During her youth, the family received more presents than they could remember. Almost daily another mother or father knocked at the door and gave the parents gifts. One man brought them free sweet bakery goods that were full of sugar and so delicious, that the family ate them at once and even licked their fingers afterwards. A woman, mother to two boys in the neighbourhood, sew for the girl a beautiful blue dress that brought out her blue eyes. “Do not forget, oh Madame and Sir, that this gift is from me, mother of Gort and Ezal.” “Of course not.”, said Shina’s mother. The very next day, another mother knocked on the door with a large woven basked in her hand. “My husband just arrived from his travels.” , she told Shina and her family. “He brought back so many delicious mushrooms, that I thought you might enjoy some of the most beautiful and most juice ones.” Years passed, and the people gave the family so many gifts, that they were rich with food and luxury goods. Shina always wore the most beautiful dresses, had the best food and the best toys. But all the gifts also had their consequence. Shina and her family got so much food, that they ate like kings, and soon became bigger and bigger. Shina became a large woman and was heavier than most men with the age of 13. Also her parents became bigger and bigger from all the muffins and sweets they received, that they soon could not fit through their door frame and it hat to be enlarged, which was of course a gift by the carpenter, who told them: “Do not forget, that I am the father of Gabriel!” Also, Shina’s popularity made it difficult for her to run around on the streets, so she spend most of her life inside her parents’ house. Everything she wanted or needed was brought by the neighbours, anyways.

The day came, when Shina turned 18. The family made a big fest to celebrate their daughter’s birthday and invited all families with sons of the city.

Nobody had ever such a large birthday, as everyone in the city celebrated with the girl. Everyone wanted their son to get married to Shina, so they could stay and help the parents with their business. Shina’s parents stood in front of their house, were hundreds of handsome young man stood around and watched full of excitement.

“Young gentlemen’s, thank you for coming!”, said Shina’s father proudly, and everyone clapped.

“Over the many years of our beautiful daughter’s life, we were blessed with your love!”, he continued and opened his arms. “Thank you so much for this. And now our beloved Shina is old enough to get married. She told us so herself! She also said, that she is ready to marry any young man of you generous families. So to decide who her husband will become, we decided to let the young men fight for life and death for our daughter’s love, as she deserves the strongest and smartest ma to protect her.”

Everyone whispered excitedly. Many mothers screamed, as they did not want their sons to engage in a fight. They rather send them off into another city than letting them die. But Shina’s parents were too spoiled to think about that.

“The time has come!”, said Shina’s mother proudly. “Our beloved daughter will step out, and everyone who wants to fight for her, stay, as the fights will happen this afternoon at this very street!”

Shina’s parents enjoyed the loud whispers, but mistook them for excitement. Even worse, they mistook the surprised gasp of the audience for a gasp of admiration, when their daughter finally stepped outside.

Shina became fatter than her parents in the many years, because she never left the house to play. The lack of sun made her skin transparent, and her hair was white like snow. Her spoiled life made her greedy, as she was wearing the most pompous dress in pink and white. Her hungry eyes looked for the richest people in the crowd, but she did not understand that everyone gave them so many presents over the years, that the families had nothing left, barely for themselves.

“This is what I was waiting for my whole life?” A young man spoke first. He was dressed as a knight and very handsome. “I do not want a greedy wife, which will eat out children if I cannot provide. And I will not risk my life for her either; I would rather travel through the Hissing woods than marrying this… this… creature!”

And all the men agreed.

“Wait, wait, do not leave…”, said Shina’s father confused. He did not understand what was happening. But it was too late. The men and their families left, and Shina and her parents were left alone with tears in their eyes.



Text Copyright © Rachel Sesom