His name was James Willington and he was the youngest son of Robert and Mary Willington. Because of this his parents had him taught to be a gentleman. He knew that this was the right thing. He started learning to play the flute, reading and writing as soon as he was old enough as they had gleaned from the lessons they'd gotten from people around them, not regularly, but when they could.
He was a bright lad, who had an inquiring mind. He observed many things around him. Because of this he was a bit quiet and reserved at times. His older brother George was always the one who was loud, happy and boisterous, but not James. He was very serious in his ways of learning and thought. It was this mind of his that finally spurred him to take action.
It had been on one of the days, when he was sitting outside playing the flute, reading his lessons to his brother and caring for some birds that were singing in a nearby bush, when there was a knock at the door. It was a small slow rattling knock that came from just an ordinary door. As the siblings sat there a little wary at the sound, their mother came out of their storeroom and called the boys from inside.
"Come inside lad, it's time for dinner."
The boys nodded and got up from their chairs. George, who was much more boisterous and slow compared to his older brother, rushed ahead while James, who lingered a bit, looked at the door and wondered. There was something about the lack of loud thumping, the lack of punctual in time hitting, and the lack of many other characteristics that would suggest this was the normal way that people would speak if they were wanting to come and meet the Willingdons.
As he walked inside he looked at his mother and she just smiled at him. She did not see anything out of the ordinary. He glanced back at the door and wondered even more. Something was off and he wasn't sure what it was. Then, just as he was wondering, the door to the shop swung open declaring its entry to a strange young boy.
It was hard to see much of his face as the boy had his head down and was shuffling inside. James was astonished as he looked at the boy. He was copying many of his movements and mannerisms with his hands. He was surprised that such a small thing as this could cause so much shock as he looked at the young lad in answer to his asking.
"Hey, I'm James Willington, but you can call me Jak-"
"I'm sorry but names are not allowed here, lad," said the boy as he turned and winced right as he spoke. It was then that James noticed the boy held his left hand tightly.
"Oh," James wanted to ask why, but the boy turned away and began to stare at the table. He sat down looking dejected and then suddenly leaped up again.
"Golly, it's not often that I get to see your table like this, Mr. Willington," he said and laughed before sitting back down.
James had never seen the boy before, but he was instantly stricken by a certain feeling and look about him. He knew this boy for who he was. This small boy was a hero.
"I'm sorry I was a bit late. I am Gamelah, Gamelah Hawthorne. Pleased to meet you," the boy bowed his head and returned the courtesy of a handshake.
"I'm James Willington, pleased to meet you to," James replied.
"Golly, you are are really something else, Mr. Willington. I mean, where I come from we don't see a boy stuff as much as you do," said the boy with a smile and a chuckle.
"I think you're exaggerating a bit," James replied as his brother sat down beside him.
"No I'm not. Where I come from we don't have any stuff like this. I am truly amazed by it all," Gamelah exclaimed.
"Modest, as well as well spoken, what kind of village is that?" Mary spoke.
"One where stuff like this is not considered important, mum," the boy responded and then quickly blushed. "No, no, I meant no offence or anything. I'm sorry."
"It's quite alright, I wasn't insulted," Mary responded back with a smile.
"I'm James Willington Sr. But you may call me sir or Mr. Willington, if you wish."
"It's real nice to meet you, sir," Gamelah said as he smiled and then quickly looked down at his food. "Thank you for the food, it smells fantastic."
The Willington's looked at each other and smiled at the boy. They could not tell but he was a hero. His manners and actions of the world to come were something that dazzle the eyes and ears of the people of this time.
James already knew this, but he was determined not to speak it until he had to. He wanted to see how the boy would react. He wanted to see how great this child could be.