Little Jerry

Biodata

Background

Little Jerry is Old Turner’s son and lives with him in a house across a stone bridge, away from the rest of Hunter Town 20 30. After teaching Li Xing his Miracles, Old Turner asked him to look after Jerry. He later instructed Jerry to watch Li Xing carefully and learn from him 18 21.

Appearance

Jerry has distinctive big eyes and fine blond hair 20 21 34.

Personality

Initially shy around Li Xing, Jerry nevertheless spoke for the other children when they wanted to ask questions about his stories 20. He became attached to Li Xing and was enthusiastic about his cooking, repeating descriptions of promised dishes to his playmates 28 29 33.

Jerry takes promises seriously. When assigned to watch Li Xing while Lucy and Aniekra bathed, he warned him not to break his oath and later challenged him for approaching before being called 34 35.

Skills and Equipment

• Fishing — After Li Xing showed him how, Jerry caught nearly ten fish at the stone bridge, including fish caught on an unbaited hook 21.
• Swimming — Jerry confirmed he could swim before escaping the bandits across the river with Lucy 37.
• Wooden sword — Li Xing carved him a sword from a branch while they stood guard by the river 34.
• Horse riding — Jerry cannot ride; his father considered him too young to learn 33.

Relationships

• Old Turner — Jerry’s father. He arranged for Jerry to spend time with Li Xing and learn from him 20 21 27.
• Angie Turner — Jerry’s uncle and a blacksmith in Hunter Town 19 21.
• Li Xing — Jerry calls him “Big Brother Li Xing.” Li Xing looks after him, teaches him and cooks food he enjoys. Jerry became upset when Li Xing forgot about him 20 21 28 47.
• Lucy — She looks after Jerry while Li Xing works at the smithy. Jerry also plays with the children in her care 21 22.
• Aniekra — She suggested bringing Jerry along on the river trip to keep an eye on Li Xing 32.

Story Role

Learning from Li Xing

Old Turner introduced Jerry to Li Xing, and Jerry soon helped the other children ask questions about Li Xing’s tavern story 20. The next day, Li Xing took him fishing. After spotting suspicious masked men across the river, Li Xing sent Jerry to Lucy’s house with some of the catch 21.

Jerry later told Li Xing that the children preferred his cooking and persuaded him to promise another meal. When townspeople questioned whether Li Xing and Lucy were lovers, Jerry helped explain why Li Xing had been visiting her house 28.

River Trip and Bandit Attack

Jerry accompanied Li Xing, Lucy and Aniekra on a trip outside town. While the women bathed, Jerry explained that heating bathwater consumed too much firewood in cool weather. His enthusiasm encouraged Li Xing to consider building a bathhouse 33 34.

When bandits surrounded the group, Jerry handed Lucy a machete and swam across the river with her while Li Xing went to Aniekra’s aid 37. Lucy later left Jerry with a hunter and led the hunting parties toward Li Xing. Jerry welcomed the returning group at Hunter Town’s gate 40 41.