The Icy-Crystal See-Through
No-Name Man

 

The harbinger of winter arrived and a chilling wind warned people of the village to prepare for cold weather. Hendrik walked along a road on his way home from school, watching his breath form tiny clouds. His nose felt very cold. The northeast wind bit his ears.

Suddenly a strange shape appeared in front of him. It looked like a transparent man! Hendrik was fascinated y this peculiar creature and stared at his white silky beard with icicles sticking out in all directions.

The see-through man smiled at Hendrik and said, "Hello, young man! Don't be afraid. I have been sent by the Great Master of the Cold and I make beautiful designs on windows of your home while you sleep."

"You see", continued his new friend, "each year around this time, I come and give to adults and children alike beautiful artwork, just like the patterns I see you have noticed in my beard."

"How wonderful!", exclaimed the young boy, "What is your name?"

"I have no name, young man, but I know you are Hendrik. You see, it's not important for me to have a name because I'm the only one who can make these works of art on your windows. Only after the autumn leaves have fallen do I come to visit you, and after the birds have flown south."

"But why have I never seen you before?", asked Hendrik. "I often come by this way on schooldays."

The see-through man replied, "Not everyone is able to see me. And I only speak to those who recognize me. But alas! It seems that most people are in such a hurry nowadays, they never have a minute to look about them, to notice us and our work.

It is a law ordered by the Great Builder of water, air, earth and fire, of the cold and warmth, of the shapes, colours, and of all living things, that people are only able to see the different wonders of the world if they do not rush about, but have time to care for Nature.

I can do many tricks, and make myself very big or very, very small. Watch! I'll become the same size as you."

And so saying, the mysterious icy-man who was just one second ago taller than Hendrik's father, was the exact same height as the boy.

"Oh my!', said Hendrik a bit nervously, but happier now that his friend was his own size, "can you make yourself even smaller? Or very tall -- as high as the clouds in the sky?"

"Oh yes, indeed I can -- and much more than that", answered the transparent man. Just then, Hendrik realized it was getting dark. "I must go home now or I'll be late for dinner", he said.

The friendly man asked, "Would you like to see me at work tonight?"

"Oh, yes, is that possible?", asked Hendrik with big eyes.

"After you go to sleep tonight, you will feel little nips of cold on your nose and toes. This is my sign that I am ready. Then you will wake up, and be able to watch me working on your window. Goodbye now!"

Early that evening, Hendrik went to his bedroom. When he looked out of his window he saw a bright and glittering sky. The gas lanterns on the street below looked as if giant stars had fallen to Earth. He tried to see his friend, but no one was there. It became cold, so he tucked himself into bed."

How long he slumbered, Hendrik did not remember. Suddenly he felt fine cold nibbles on his nose, then his ears and toes felt ice-cold. He awoke. The house was very quiet. It was now dark outside, a bluish-white sheen hovered near the window. The youngster rubbed his eyes, and at that instant appeared his friend!

The see-through man nodded and gestured for him to come closer to the window. Then he told him to sit down on the chair to quietly watch him work. The boy wrapped himself in a blanket and was still as a mouse, fearing any noise might waken his mother and father.

Hendrik watched with rapt attention as his artist friend began criss-crossing with fine needles the most beautiful fairy-like world of delicately woven lines and lace-like patterns.

The no-name artist worked very happily, while lines and curves were added here and there. A magnificent world unfolded. The patterns and shapes reminded Hendrik of magical trees, flowers, of insects, ships, even seashells and fish. Meanwhile, the transparent man worked quietly on, to the delight of the young boy.

The artist of the Cold turned to Hendrik and asked him if there was anything he would like him to create. Our friend, who loved birds, was speechless but finally whispered, "Could you make a small bird please, a flying one, on the window?"

"Very well, then, young man." And he engraved a most beautiful bird. It flew freely over the fine lines and lace patterns. Its wings and head looked transparent, as if a bird from an icy palace had come to fly over the window.

"Oh thank you! Thank you very much!", said Hendrik, thrilled to have witnessed such a beautiful display.

"Thank YOU, my dear friend, for having seen me. It is a gift few people have. Only the young at heart are able to see such things. While you begin to see, if you look closely enough, you will recognize the words of the other artists in different seasons sent by the Great Builder -- the dewmakers, the flower makers, the designs on all the fish and animals, insects, leaves, rocks and snowflakes -- in fact, everywhere.

But now you must go back to sleep. Nobody will believe your story if you tell them, but at least you have your bird on the window! I hope you will always find time to see our work. We do not sign them -- that is why we have no name. But they are there, nevertheless, true and beautiful."

Copyright 1998 Henri van Bentum