Stories and Fantasy
The Rhyme Time Teller
The Rhyme Time Teller
He always speaks in rhyme, dresses in a splendid indigo hat and jacket, and uses a shiny golden cane. He is the author of RHYME TIME TALES, beginning with “The Big Band Wolf and the Three Little Pigs,” and the librarian of the Fantastical Alltrades Library. Characters and Creatures come from across the Realms to his Library for information, wisdom, and companionship.
The RTT—he is sometimes called that—is telling the most sensational stories, about all kinds of absurdities and wonders, to those who most want (and need) to hear them. No one knows how old he is, though some think he is the oldest being in Fantasy. He never changes, in any case.
His cousin is the Mad “Maddy” Hatter, and he has a begrudging friendship with the Cheshire “Chessy” Cat. Merlin the Wizard and Glinda the Good also come often to his library. He knows the Queen of No-Context and Gram R. King particularly well. He lives at 221A Baker Street, Alltrades, Storybook, and visits his sister and twin nieces, Dilly and Dally, often.
The Big Band Wolf
The Big Band Wolf
Most people say the “Big Bad Wolf” is a villain, but they misunderstand. The Big Band Wolf actually is quite lovable and clumsy, off-kilter and oblivious. He never had any intentions of eating pigs, sheep, or people, as the storybooks say, though he did want to meet some of them, to see if they were interested in joining his Big Bad Band. When he meets the Pigs, however, and his tuba clogs, and he huffs, and he puffs, well… he might have made the wrong first impression.
The Wolf, though rather goofy and uncertain of himself, was raised by a very respectable family around Pemberley (Northeast of Nowhere) and made many good connections in those parts, including a particular Princess.
The Three Little Pigs
The Three Little Pigs
It is not known today that the Brick House was owned by all three of the Little Pigs. While the Third did most of the building, the other two hauled the bricks up the mountainside and made certain the work could continue. They were not lazy like many people think; and when they heard (incorrectly) that a Wolf was coming to “eat” them, it was the Second Pig who set them on track, and the First who created a plan, even if it was a little ridiculous. That being said, they are still a comedic trio. They are Littles by adoption, raised by Dr. Do Little.
The Cheshire “Chessy” Cat
{Depicted: “Chessy” on the left, meeting the Big Band Wolf, right.}
The Cheshire “Chessy” Cat
Known for aiding Alice (later Queen Alice) in her first Adventure in Wonderland, Chessy might be the most frequent visitor to the Alltrades Library because he can come or go in the blink of an eye.
He thinks the Little Birdie is intentionally spreading lies. On an unrelated note, he also thinks the Birdie would be a wonderful snack.
The Little Birdie
The Little Birdie
“Heard it from a Little Birdie.” That is where you know him from. Like the Pigs, a Little by adoption, he spends his time flying around—sometimes through all of Storybook—listening in and overhearing news. He gossips often. He doesn’t spend much time with the Little family anymore, but he does cause all manner of chaos—intentional or otherwise.
Very Grimm
Very Grimm
Yes, yes, very few people know of… that person. He is always writing the stories he hears by candlelight, pulling strings here and there. Then again, all he hears and all he does comes through a particular Birdie.
He prefers to pronounce his name Very (“vah-ray”), when he has his way.
Dilly and Dally
Dilly and Dally
The twins who inspired the phrase “Don’t Dilly-Dally.” In Fantasy, they live at Fable Farms and often visit the Alltrades Library (though they are very bad at keeping track of time). Their uncle, the Rhyme Time Teller, has a soft spot for them, even if he would never admit it.
Carl the Lilliputian
Carl the Lilliputian
Captain of the Secret Military Avengement Legion of Lilliput. He leads his team of less-than-six-inch-tall Lilliputians throughout Storybook, and Alltrades in particular (because its close to Lilliput), causing mischief and confusion because of Lilliput’s grudge*. They change signposts, do graffiti, and more than anything they trip people with miniature ropes everywhere.
*If you don’t know about Lilliput and Blefusu’s grudge against Storybook and the other Realms, see the maps and details below.
Red Little
Red Little
Often known as Little Red Riding Hood—which is silly, of course, because “Little” is actually her last name—Red Little is the granddaughter of Dr. Do Little and the niece of John Little (or Little John, as he prefers to be called now, adding to the confusion). Her brother is Blue Little, mistakenly called “Little Boy Blue.”
The Mad “Maddy” Hatter
The Mad “Maddy” Hatter
There isn’t all too much to say of Maddy. He is from Wonderland; enough said. You might not know, though, that he has a cousin, the Rhyme Time Teller, and two sons, Willy and Nilly.
Merlin
Merlin
Lead Counselor to King Arthur, Wizard extraordinaire, and confidant of The Rhyme Time Teller
Glinda the Good
Glinda the Good
The Good Witch of the South and ruler of the Quadlings in the Wonderful Realm of Oz, she visits the Town Alltrades often. However, she might have more interest in the librarian than the Library itself.
Sir Iron Knee of Irony in Satire County
Sir Iron Knee of Irony in Satire County
A knight of Irony in Satire County of Storybook, he received a replacement iron knee (and the title of “Iron Knee”) after aiding Robin Hood’s Merry Men in holding off King John from crossing through Sherwood Forest into Storybook. He says the injury involved the Merry Men, a feather, and a funny bone that was bumped one too many times. Whether it was his funny bone or another’s, I do not know. He is allergic to horses.
A certain… disreputable rodent
The Rodent
We don’t… talk about him. There is a reason the Rhyme Time Teller is not fond of rodents. He’s more partial to bunnies, actually.
Ozzie the Cartoon Bunny
Ozzie
Well, for now, he hibernates in a particular indigo hat. But this is supposed to be a surprise, so I can’t tell you much more than that.
He’s finally ready, after so long in hiding, to again take center stage. Want to know more? You’ll have to find the hidden web-page.
Here is a riddle to help, if you can understand: What on the homepage is great for blowing down houses and starting a band?
The Realms of Fantasy
Wonderful Maps! Click on the text in the interactive Maps of Fantasy and Alltrades to read a description of the different places! Learn about the Realms of Storybook, Wonderland and Oz, as well as many of the important places inside of them (and some wannabe Realms). Learn about the Rhyme Time Teller’s Hometown of Alltrades, his Living Library, and all the wonderful and absurd places seen in the RHYME TIME TALES Series!
Sherwood Forest
Home of Robin Hood and the Merry Men.
Inspirations: The Adventures of Robin Hood
Storybook
The Realm of Storybook, home to nearly all Fairy Tales, Fables, Common Phrases, and Literary Terms! This Realm is easily identifiable by its “book shape,” split down the middle by Crease’s Road.
Towards the East of Storybook are limitless characters you’ve read about: fairies and Kings and Queens and talking animals and giants and little-little people. Towards the West of Storybook are goofy caricatures of Language and Literacy, such as the Queen of No-Context, Gram R. King, Earl Evan of Alliteration, and Duke Naragam of Anagram.
Storybook is the largest Fantasy Realm, and contains numerous smaller kingdoms, all with their own unique stories and characters. You never know who’s going to show up where or when, which is quite the fun of it. Most of RHYME TIME TALES occurs within Storybook.
Inspirations: Fairy Tales, Nursery Rhymes, Classic Children’s Literature, Aesop’s Fables, Winnie the Pooh.
Wonderland
Care to take a little trip down the Rabbit Hole? Wonderland may be the most ridiculous Fantasy Realm. Everything and everyone and every creature is absurd, outlandish, and “mad” in the goofiest manner possible, from the vanishing Cheshire Cat, to the sobbing Mock Turtle, to the infamous Mad “Maddy” Hatter.
Ruled by the Queen of Hearts (the Queen of No-Context’s sister), not much is known about the geography of Wonderland, perhaps because it keeps changing like a dream. The first person from the Real World to find it is said to be a girl by the name of Alice.
Wonderers (as folks and creatures from Wonderland are called) often visit Storybook and Alltrades.
Cartoonland, the Island just off Wonderland’s shore, is a territory of Wonderland.
Inspirations: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass
Looking-Glass Realm
Would you like to take a peep through the Looking-Glass? The Looking-Glass Realm is a giant field where a very great chess game is played annually with various people and creatures as the pieces. It is equal to Wonderland in absurdity, and often considered as the same Realm.
Alice first entered through the Looking-Glass. She eventually was Queened after playing in the Great Looking-Glass Chess Game, becoming a Ruler of the Realm and gaining the power of a Chess Queen.
Inspirations: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass
King John’s Realm
King John’s Realm, rightly belonging to King John’s brother King Richard (who had traveled to the Real World for unknown reasons). King John attempted to invade Storybook, but was constantly thwarted by Robin Hood in the Forest of Sherwood.
Inspirations: The Adventures of Robin Hood
Round Table Realm
The Round Table Realm, led by the infamous King Arthur who pulled the sword from the stone! Unfortunately, King Arthur and his Round Table are cut off from the rest of Fantasy by King John, so the only communication they have with the other Realms is through the Wizard Merlin, who can teleport at will.
Inspirations: King Arthur
The Four Districts of Oz
There is the Realm of Oz, and then there is the nation of Oz inside of it, which is broken up into Four Districts: the Gillikans to the North, the Quadlings to the South, the Munchkins to the East, and the Winkies to the West. Before Dorothy of Kansas, the Munchkins and the Winkies were hostile, but since the Wicked Witches disappeared there have been celebrations. Glinda the Good rules the Quadlings in the South.
In the center of the Four Districts is the Emerald City, the Capital of Oz, ruled by the Scarecrow.
The embassies for the Quadlings and Gillikans to Storybook are in Alltrades.
Inspirations: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and various Oz books.
The Wonderful Realm of Oz
The Wonderful Realm of Oz! Surrounded by the green Nonestic Ocean, the Realm of Oz is an assembly of various Nations, but the biggest is the Nation of Oz at its center, which is surrounded on every side by a completely passable impassable desert.
The Capital of the Realm of Oz is the Emerald City.
Inspirations: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and various Oz books.
Cartoonland Island
With all the fantastical tales and characters of Fantasy, one can almost forget that there also is an entire Island of Cartoons!
Cartoonland Island is the home of all Cartoons, known as “Ani-toons” to the rest of Fantasy. Ani-toon materials are also bought and sold in Fantasy after being shipped down the River by Steamboat. Some popular examples are the houses of the Three Little Pigs, and the Ani-toon Sheep at Fable Farms.
Ani-toons… don’t always obey the laws of reality. They stretch, they split, and they can create something out of nothing whenever they feel like it, which makes them very entertaining.
The Nonestic Ocean
The Great Rolling Green Nonestic Ocean surrounding The Realm of Oz! There are countless small islands within the Nonestic, including Pingaree, Regos, Coregos, and Rinkitink. Pingaree is known to be protected by three Magic Pearls from the Mer-City.
Inspirations: Rinkitink in Oz, and various Oz books.
The Mer-City
Home of the Mermaids and numerous Sea-Creatures, including the A-B-C Serpent, a two hundred foot-long friendly snake made up of alphabet blocks who teaches the Sea-Creatures their letters.
Inspirations: The Royal Book of Oz, and various Oz books.
Lilliput and Blefuscu
Lilliput and Blefuscu. They believe they should be their own Realms, in spite of their small islands, seeing as their islands are massive to them. They have invaded Storybook and Alltrades for revenge, which includes messing with road signs, graffiti, and above all tripping people.
They are both very political nations and, as such, are under the impression that they are much larger and more important than they actually are. The greatest example of this is their disagreement about which side to crack an egg on, big or small, which led to their conflict between each other.
Inspirations: Gulliver’s Travels Part I: A Voyage to Lilliput
Treasure Island
A mysterious island, long rumored to be the hiding place of the infamous Captain Flint’s treasure, waiting to be found.
Inspirations: Treasure Island
The End-Inn Printing
The End-Inn is the largest printing chain in Fantasy. After suffering a misprint, however, all books went from reading, “The End-Inn Printing,” to only, “The End.”
Fantasy
Fantasy. The fictional world of imaginations and tales, the land where the impossible things roam. It is not easy to enter; it often takes a rabbit hole, a looking-glass, a wishing star, or some other happy accident. The simplest of ways, however, is walking on through a library door and opening a good book.
Crease’s Road
Crease’s Road runs all the way from North to South in Storybook, connecting Wonderland to the Southern Ocean. It gives Storybook its “Book-like” appearance and divides the Realm into the West and East.
Alltrades
A welcoming district of Storybook. Despite being small, it is home to the largest gathering of exceptional creatures in Fantasy. Most of the Little family, including Dr. Do Little and Little John, live in Alltrades; the “Jacks of Alltrades,” a collection of Jacks with unique stories, such as the Jack Be-Nimble-Be-Quick and Little Jack Horner, all come from Alltrades; and Ani-toons are regularly delivered by Steamboat. It is not without its problems, either. It is a prime candidate for quarrels with King John, and is often the target of Lilliput’s antics. All of this makes it the ideal place to find stories.
The Rhyme Time Teller’s library is positioned directly in the middle of Alltrades, and he often receives visitors from far-off Realms and nations.
Inspirations: “Jack of All Trades”
The 100 Acre Wood
The 100 Acre Wood, home to Winnie the Pooh, Christopher Robin, and friends! A little North of Alltrades and just West of the Sherwood Forest, the 100 Acre Wood is one of the most quaint and happy places in Fantasy.
Inspirations: Winnie the Pooh
The Kings’ Gulf
The Gulf between King John’s Realm and the Round Table Realm. Populated by friendly pirates and not-so-friendly sea monsters.
The City of Nowhere
The Capital of Storybook! The City of Nowhere, not to be confused with Where, is Northwest of Where and near to When, not to be confused with Then, which is above Than. There, not to be confused with Therefore to the South, is on the other side of Where on the way to Nowhere, with Someplace and Here being between them. Anywhere is North of Some-ways which is some ways above There, which is due West of the 100 Acre Wood. On an unrelated note, strangers find navigation difficult in Storybook, which is a recurring topic in RHYME TIME TALES.
The Capital is home to the Queen of No-Context and Gram R. King.
The Society of Anywhere
Anywhere is East of Nowhere, North of Where, close to Here.
The Town of There
Very near to Where, commonly visited when going to Nowhere or Anywhere.
The Village of Anything
West of Where and South of Nowhere, not to be confused with Anywhere.
The Town of Whatsoever
South of Anything.
Gisbourne
Home of Sir Guy of Gisbourne, who, despite his name, is not a very nice sort of Guy.
Inspirations: Robin Hood
Nottinghamshire
A common “playground” of Robin Hood and friends when they wish to foil the plans of a certain dastardly King.
Inspirations: The Adventures of Robin Hood
Disputed Territory
The land where no one dares cross through between the two Realms.
Camelot
The Capital of The Round Table Realm, and the Home of King Arthur, his Knights, and the Round Table itself.
Inspirations: King Arthur
Avalon
A mythical, mysterious Island in Arthurian Legend.
Inspirations: King Arthur.
Alltrades
A welcoming district of Storybook. Despite being small, it is home to the largest gathering of exceptional creatures in Fantasy. Most of the Little family, including Dr. Do Little and Little John, live in Alltrades; the “Jacks of Alltrades,” a collection of Jacks with unique stories, such as the Jack Be-Nimble-Be-Quick and Little Jack Horner all come from Alltrades; and Ani-toon are regularly delivered by Steamboat on the Wazoo River. It is not without its problems, either. It is a prime candidate for attacks from King John, and is often the target of Lilliput’s antics. All of this makes it the ideal place to find stories there.
The Rhyme Time Teller’s library is positioned directly in the middle of Alltrades, and he often receives visitors from far-off Realms and nations.
Inspirations: “Jack of All Trades”
Beanstalk Memorial
A memorial for the fated day that the Beanstalk was cut down, defeating a giant. The beanstalk collapsed, however, crushing several buildings and a castle nearby.
Inspirations: Jack and the Beanstalk.
Netherfield Park
“Netherfield Park is let at last.”
Owned by a Mr. Morris, this is the first location that the Wolf and his Big Bad Band played at, which attracted the attention of his friend, Mr. Bingley.
Inspirations: Pride and Prejudice.
JJ Hill
“Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water…”
Inspirations: Jack and Jill.
Nowhere, Anywhere, There
Nowhere, not to be confused with Where, is Northwest of Where and near to When, not to be confused with Then, which is above Than. There, not to be confused with Therefore to the South, is on the other side of Where on the way to Nowhere, with Someplace and Here being between them. Anywhere is North of Some-ways which is some ways above There, which is due West of the 100 Acre Wood. On an unrelated note, strangers find navigation difficult in Storybook, which is a recurring topic in RHYME TIME TALES.
Mountjoy Castle
Home of Sir Dickon Mountjoy, and later of Cedric the Forester.
Inspirations: Cedric the Forester
Do Little’s Vet Clinic
Dr. Do Little’s Vet Clinic is run by Dr. Do Little himself, who offers a variety of services. This includes teaching animals to speak or sing, and treating many injuries, even for Hostile Animals or Ani-toons. This is where the Rhyme Time Teller first met Ozzie the Bunny.
Ani-toon Emporium
The Ani-toon Emporium! The greatest location in Alltrades to receive wacky Ani-toon goods. Delivered by Ani-toon Steamboat from Cartoonland, Ani-toons are great for quickly building houses, such as the Three Little Pigs’ Brick House, or their Straw and Stick Decoy Houses.
Inspirations: “The Big Band Wolf and the Three Little Pigs,” “The Big Band Wolf and the Bird Who Cried Wolf.”
The Little’s Cottage
Home of Dr. Do Little, and frequently visited by many members of the Little family, such as Red, Blue, and Bo Peep Little (better known as Little Red Riding Hood, Little Boy Blue, and Little Bo Peep).
Inspirations: Dr. Dolittle, Little Red Riding Hood, Nursery Rhymes
Sherwood Forest
Sherwood Forest, the border separating Storybook from the Realm of King John. Shrouded in mystery, it is the ideal location for the camp of Robin Hood and his Merry Men, as they entrap the forces of King John whenever they try to cross through.
Inspirations: The Adventures of Robin Hood.
Port of Charson
The Port of Charson looks over the Kings’ Gulf and is home to various Peculiar Persons. This includes friendly pirates, merchant sea captains, and great adventurers.
Little and Tall Store
The Little Family owns the Little and Tall Store and provides a wide selection of garments in all sizes. It even supplies clothes for Lilliputians. It is rumored that the fabled Jabberwock received his vest there.
Backwoods Lane
Deep in the forests of Fantasy runs Backwoods Lane, populated by exotic and absurd creatures and vegetation, and infested with little Lilliputian tricks.
Fable Farm
The Farm of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf,” as he is unfortunately known.
Inspirations: The Boy who Cried Wolf, “The Bird Who Cried Wolf.”
The Kings’ Gulf
The Gulf between King John’s Realm and the Round Table Realm. Populated by friendly pirates and not-so-friendly sea monsters.
Admiral Benbow Inn
Owned by the Hawkins family, a place for sea-vagabonds. Many a plan was hatched at the Admiral Benbow Inn, for piracy and treasure hunting.
Inspirations: Treasure Island.
Pigs’ Mount
The Pigs’ Mountain, where they fatefully ‘did battle’ against a tuba-playing Wolf using decoy houses.
Inspirations: The Three Little Pigs, “The Big Band Wolf and the Three Little Pigs.”
Old Macdonald’s Farm
E I E I O, I do hope this is a song you already know.
Gulliver and Livesey’s Surgery
Lemuel Gulliver, adventurer and discoverer of Lilliput and Blefuscu, was a Surgeon first. David Livesey, known for embarking on the fateful trip to recover Captain Flint’s horde from Treasure Island, was a Doctor. Together, they run a Surgery in Alltrades.
Inspirations: Gulliver’s Travels Part I: A Voyage to Lilliput, Treasure Island.
City of Somewhere
A little Lilliputian town, so small it isn’t even drawn on the map. Not to be confused with Someplace or Some-when.
Baker Street
The famous Sherlock Holmes lives at 221B Baker Street. It must be asked, though, who lives at 221A.
Inspirations: Sherlock Holmes.
Alec Smart’s University
The perfect place to learn how to be snarky and a wise-cracker!
Woah Nelly’s Horse Shodding
A horse-shodding place owned by a horse. Don’t question it, this is Fantasy.
Spinner Rumpel’s
Just a humble spinster, nothing more. But Once upon a Rhyme…
Inspirations: Rumpelstiltskin
Quadling Embassy
The Gillikan and Quadling Embassies
The Embassies to Storybook from the friendly Oz Provinces. Frequent visitors are Hammerheads, China Dolls, and Glinda the Good, Ruler of the Quadlings.
The Grimm Forest
The Grimm Forest. Said to be the most terrifying place in all of Fantasy. No one goes in, and no one comes out. There are even rumors that it is inhabited by the greatest terror of any fictional creation: copyright strikers.
Satire and Irony
The County of Satire, home to Jokes, Puns, Hypocrisy, Irony, and other Comedy. Led by Princess Rapunzel.
The Township of Irony, led by Sir Iron Knee, contains all things Ironic. Sir Iron Knee himself is a knight who is allergic to horses, and afraid of the dark (for, as he says, “They gave me the title of ‘knight,’ but I’m afraid of the dark”).
Inspirations: Rapunzel, “The Big Band Wolf and the Bird who Cried Wolf.”
Scott Free’s Attorney Service
Scott Free, the only lawyer in Alltrades (which, as some have said, is one more than they need). The path from his house is the only one leading into the Grimm Forest.
The Rhyme Time Teller’s Alltrades Library particularly dislikes Scott Free.
Poe-Trees
Whatever is a poem, do say! Tell me, what does it do?
Does it direct you on your way, or always tell you what is true?
The Poe-Trees are a pair of poetry professionals, who make less sense than the Queen of No-Context.
Meryton
A little town just outside of Alltrades, and fully within walking distance of both Netherfield Park and the Longbourne Estate (not shown).
Inspirations: Pride and Prejudice
The Alltrades Library
The Alltrades Library, the most famous of Fantasy Libraries! Something fantastical is always happening there; it is a commonplace for wonderment, and unique creatures of all sorts, as you would expect a Fantasy Library to be. Unlike many libraries, this one is alive, and uniquely partial to its librarian and curator, The Rhyme Time Teller. Visitors from all Realms and Nations come to find companionship and do research, and perhaps most of all, get advice. But the Library is known to have something of a temper with strangers, or people who treat the books poorly, tripping them up with floorboards are shifting bookshelves in their way. It is best to treat a Library with respect.
The Rhyme Time Teller’s Hat
The Whimsical and Wonderous Rhyme Time Teller’s Hat! One of a kind, with limitless space and countless oddities and tools inside. The Rhyme Time Teller’s Best Friend, Ozzie the Bunny, is also known to hibernate within it, until the RTT “pulls a bunny out of his hat.”
The Hat is the Rhyme Time Teller’s seal and icon.
Disclaimer*
*RHYME TIME TALES draws inspiration from various popular classic tales, fables and short stories. RHYME TIME TALES does not endorse whatever content may be contained within the aforementioned.
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