The Quiet Flag Game — From the low window above the bakehouse, Bren tapped a spoon on a cup and named his new game: Quiet Flag. Read the full story →
From the low window above the bakehouse, Bren tapped a spoon on a cup and named his new game: Quiet Flag. To win, he had to bring back one river reed that could make the flagpole whisper. The moat shone silver in the afternoon, and beyond the drawbridge the reeds rustled hush-hush, farther than he had ever gone alone.
He stepped out with the spoon in his pocket. The bridge boards creaked under him, and the water below smelled of mud and mint. Halfway across, a cart rumbled through the gate, and Bren pressed flat against the cool stone wall until it passed. His small price was the apple tart in his hand; he gave it to a nervous guard dog so it would stop barking.
At the bank, Bren chose a reed striped green and gold. When he came back, knees dusty and fingers prickled, he tied it below the flag. The wind slid through it with a soft, brave note. Next time you see the flag over the tallest tower, can you hear Bren’s Quiet Flag?
