beggar of Kuttenberg, of Kuttenberg
“I have strong arms and a willing back, but no spade to dig with, and a father who treats me like a child. It is completely unfair.”
Things Sleepy Roger had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of the Ascension, at Vespers
The foremen passed me by again this morning. A man without a spade is just another open mouth to them. It is completely unfair that Kunz hides behind his sick daughter while I starve on the steps.
Nota scribaeDictated at the Havirska steps. He kicked the dirt the entire time he spoke.
the second Tuesday of May, at Terce
I told my father again about the refugee girl. She has nothing, I have nothing, we could share it. He said it would drag us further into the dirt. We sleep on the street, Christ almighty. How much deeper in the dirt can we get?
You will do as I say and sit where I tell you. A burgher's pride is all we have left.
Do not argue with him, Roger. It only makes the evening colder for us all.
the third day of Easter week, at None
Markvart played his flute for the monks today and they gave us a little extra pottage. It fills the belly for an hour, but it does not buy me a wife or get my spade back from the thieves in this town.
A full belly is a full belly, Roger. Let the music settle your anger.
Nota scribaeHe asked for a longer word for thief but I would not write it.
the second Friday of Lent, at Prime
I know Ursel called in the slates at the shelters. I know why Kunz is suddenly so quiet about my spade. I gave it to him for a mud wall, not to pay off an ale-wife so he keeps his cellar.
Ursel takes what she is owed. We all have to survive her somehow.
Shut up, Fritz. You are just a boy and you know nothing about honest tools.
Candlemas, at Sext
Lazy Kunz asked to borrow my good spade to fix the wall behind his daughter's stall. I handed it over like a good Christian. He says he needs it for a few days. At least someone is doing honest work today.
You are a better man than me, Roger. I do not lend my tools to anyone.
Nota scribaeThe dictating took until None because of a dispute over where he sat.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
I am still fixing the mud wall, lad. You will have it back before Whitsun.