Fourth December Drabble

It was a normal day in spring at the abbey and three of the monks were sitting in the kitchen, having a good time as usual by the large oak table. In the corner stood the massive stove in black stone and along the walls hung small icons of different saints and interpretations of jesus christ.

It was the usual gang of Anthony, who was round-faced and porky, Gall, who was skinny and gangly looking, and Munchin, who was very short and had stubby legs and arms.

They had just completed all the chores of the morning and were now about to whip something up for an early lunch, to avoid the rush of all the other monks in the kitchen. This was rather frowned upon by the other monks, but so was also many other things these three particular monks often chose to do spend their time on. Many thought that they shouldn’t be allowed to be in the abbey at all, many questioned their loyalty to the oaths they once took, but as they all said, only god can make those decision, and until he does, they just had to live with the reality until then and take the day as it comes.

The three friends had just decided that they didn’t feel like cooking and would rather just have some sandwiches when the abbot entered the kitchen, to spy on them, or perhaps just to get a snack. They started to bring out stuff from the cupboards and drawers. Anthony got the bread, Gall got the butter and Munchin found a jar of marmalade.

The abbot just stood there, watching the scene, obviously expecting some acknowledgement no doubt, but none came, he stood his ground however and refused to move or say anything until they greeted him. It was protocol, after all.

No greeting came however, instead he stood silently and watched as Munchin tried to get the marmalade jar open, but couldn’t, the lid was fastened too tight. A grin then spread across Munchin's face.

“Oi, abbot Odilo”, he called. The abbot's eyes instantly flickered onto his and started to burn him with their gaze. “You got a church key on you?”, he then asked and chuckled.

Both Anthony and Gall snickered at his joke but tried to hide it, it was highly inappropriate to joke at the abbot's expense, and even more so to laugh at him.

“Good one, Munchin”, Anthony called and covered his mouth with his fist to conceal his attempts to stop laughing.

“Here you go”, Gall said and handed Munchin one from a drawer close by.

“Aye, thanks.”

Abbot Odilo just shook his head, and with a very saddened expression he left the kitchen. Why was he faced with this challenge? Grief, jealousy, sadness and disputes were things he could handle. But disrespectfulness went deeper. One day... maybe, they would find the light.

---

Word of the day:

church key

Wordcount: 487

Fun factor: 5/5