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A cautionary tale. Or not? ... Griselda.

Once upon a time, there was a lady of some importance who went by a name that befitted her position. It was a good name. A name that everyone respected. A memorable name - one filled with fond memories, while at the same time being a name that could strike fear into the heart of anyone foolish enough to misbehave, not because they feared any punishment (that wasn't the lady's way) but they feared the disappointment that their behaviour had caused.
One day, the lady decided she would sail for a new horizon; she had done everything and more for the people whose lives she had touched. It was time for new challenges and new beginnings and a new future.
But she kept meeting the people who had known her previous name and who still looked up to her and revered her.
How were they to address her now? Could they still use her old name? Should they?
It was her opportunity - handed to her at the end of a croquet mallet; she was losing badly - to choose a new name. Something literary; classical; theatrical, perhaps. Something hinting at her expectations and excitement for the years ahead. Something to grace the lips of friends. And to give name to the plaque on the pedestal on which most of us still place her; our very dear friend.

... the moral of this cautionary tale is to choose wisely.

GRISELDA was perhaps not wise.

Perhaps ... or on reflection; perhaps it was, after all, a wise choice -

From gris meaning grey and hild meaning battle, Griselda is of German origin. Petrarch and Chaucer (no less!) both named characters Griselda; patient, faithful and steadfast characters. Disney has associated Griselda with witches and Jill Murphy called her Worst Witch, Griselda Blackwood. Hold onto that 'worst' bit (... no, not the 'witch' bit!) - worst because her witching was not up to scratch and worst because her efforts were more fairy godmother in the end than evil witch. So worst when worst is a good thing to be. Disney and others have added Griselda to the moveable feast of the name roster of the ugly sisters in Cinderella - sometimes Griselda, sometimes Driselda, sometimes Drizella and on and on. Stick with Drizella. I am sure our new Griselda did not intend to acquire ugliness by association.

Back to grey and battle, then - grey as in years perhaps, but the 'grey battle' (... no, not -axe!) could according to Google imply a responsible and steady and inspirational individual. Believe it or not it does appear in on-line baby-naming lists. Poor little Griseldas; sisters to Ichabods, Waldos and Quasimodos ...

So, witches and ugly sisters aside, Griselda - G-R-I-S-E-L-D-A - was not such a bad choice. Not so off-the-cuff-fueled-by-red-wine-and-losing-at-croquet. Perhaps even a good name ...

But will it be shortened to 'Grizzi' or 'Zelda' .... ?




P.S. Grizzi, forgive me these silly words. Please xx



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