Lying down on the sofa, the little gingerbread man is seeking help after an awful year of manic depression. Talking to the councillor he explains his worries.
Councillor: ...So how did you feel after you had fled the old couple?
GM: I wasn't certain of how to feel. Obviously at that time I was quite anxious, I mean I had to constantly watch my back. These days, you just can't trust old people.
Councillor: Yes... and how do you feel about the cow that tried to molest you for your buttons?
GM: Oh God, I felt, how can I put it? (starts to weep) I felt ashamed. I blamed myself and thought I was leading the cow on. These days, you can't trust cows.
Councillor: Yes, take your time. This must be very hard for you, this injustice. But I am here to help and that is what I am going to do. Now, mr. Gingerbread man, when the horse attacked you, how did you react?
GM: Negatively. That horse was out to get me, I was terrified, I mean what else could I have been? It was just evil attacking a poor defensless creature like me. It was wrong of him. I was surprised I got away. I am very fortunate to have God on my side. These days, you just can't trust horses.
Councillor: You poor thing. Coping through such distress is often tricky, yet I find it useful to review the situation, after so many incidents I would have asked myself "Now, do I trust this creature?"...
GM: ... Yes well, as you know us gingerbreads are quite naiive, but I knew to be careful with the fox. You see, after everything that had happened, I find it hard putting my trust into anything or anyone, they just take that trust and use it against me. Yet I was clever with the fox. I was ever so careful and he (Starts sobbing) Oh God, he assured me, everything would be cool if I just hopped onto his back and swam over that river. (Cries now) But, he was a sinner too, and I only narrowly excaped his claws. You just can't trust foxes.
Councilor: Mr. Gingerbread man, don't cry, you'll make your ... juicy biscuit base all wet and soggy. Now, seeing as you've trusted me, I am going to trust you. (she locks the door. She then turns to the gingerbread man) I didn't have to run as fast as I can, I can catch you, naiive gingerbread man!!!!
(she then gobbles him down in a few bites.)
Hey Jaffa
ReplyDeleteThis is very good - it really made me laugh. Importantly, though, it really does bring out some deeper thoughts to dwell on... issues of trust, betrayal, the threats posed by the 'modern world'...
I very much like how you have set up the context of a psychologist's session: because it's so distinctly modern, it works against the old-fashioned fairytale archetype very well.
By doing this, you can very successfully poke fun at some of the silliness of modern society as well as poking fun at traditional ideas - the way you send up the psychologist's responses of 'and how did that make you feel' etc. are very funny.
You have managed to make a strong characterisation in a short space of time with the gingerbread man - he seems like more than a one-dimensional joke, he actually has personality. I particularly like your use of the refrain 'you can't trust x nowadays' - it is comic but also rather poignant.
The ending is dramatic, and clever in that it is unexpected - it's quite brutal in its way though, which I think is a bit out of sync with the more comic, playful mood of the rest of the piece, but that can be ok... if you do it well, the abruptness of a sudden shift in mood can be effective.
Congratulations!
-claire
Hi,
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderfully complex subversion. Excessive Pride is punished in the original tale, but in this the gingerbread man is punished for naivte. This would seem merely cruel and pointless, but the title and the unfortunately common blame the gingerbread man places upon himself for his troubles make a much deeper statement about victimisation.
I also wonder about making him manic-depressive. The original Gingerbread was manic; here he is depressive. It makes me wonder if he is telling the truth in his session or viewing it from his current perspective.
As you can tell, I'm struggling with all the depths you've created in a small space. This is a great thing, and a testament to the thought (and natural talent) you've put into this.
The writing is filled with the dark humour I read in your previous work (the pun "cleaned the bloody floor" in Task 21 is wonderful). And, although the brevity works well, I would almost like to see more details of the attacks related by the gingerbread man. It would be a longer piece, but I think you'd be able to judge how that would change the dramatic tension.
I'll be thinking about this piece for quite awhile and look forward to your next submission.
thankyou claire and pugnax. Reading it back now, I do think I could have worked upon adding more detail to each of the incidents involving the different animals. thanks again,
ReplyDeletejaffercake :D xx
Complex, expertly structured and highly original, I think this is among your best work so far. It is strong on all sorts of levels, with motifs and a wonderful twist too - and the shrink's couch setting works wonders too.
ReplyDeleteVery well done indeed - really proud of you! :)
Hi Jaffacake,
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with all the above, this is a fantastic piece, darkly funny, with well realised characters and an original, sophisticated set up, so I don't have much more to add
The turn at the end (don't cry you'll make your...) is a structural masterstroke and the centre of this piece, forcing the reader to completely re-evaluate the situation, the councillor's motives and the Gingerbread Man's lack of situational/self awareness. This in turn raises lots of issues about modern society and the way we deal with problems like depression.
Great stuff!