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No bigger adventure to be found than in a good book, my boy. Will the king regain his throne? Will the dragon devour the maiden? Will Captain Carter win the princess's [sic] heart, not to mention their freedom from the green monsters, under the hurtling moons of bar--?
~ Yosephesus Jadpoplar Kyrkogrim to Ambrose Wolf in Fables #153 — "The Black Forest Chapter Three: Big Adventure"


Yosephesus Jadpoplar Kyrkogrim, also known as Kyrk, is a bookworm Fable from the Hesse, who debuts in Fables #153 — "The Black Forest Chapter Three: Big Adventure." Known for being a bookworm, he is a shapeshifting would-be monster who attempts to capture, but ultimately becomes friends with, a young Ambrose Wolf. Ambrose entrusts him with the duty of constructing a grand university dedicated to literature.

History

Ambrose's big adventure

I'm not an eat-you-up monster! I'm a keep-you-imprisoned-forever monster! Yes, you should be scared, but not of the wrong thing!
~ Yosephesus Jadpoplar Kyrkogrim, trying in vain to strike fear in the heart of young Ambrose Wolf in Fables #154 — "The Black Forest Chapter Four: Trouble"


With his father Bigby's encouragement, young Ambrose Wolf embarks on a journey through the Black Forest in search of a great adventure. As he contemplates out loud how he wishes he had picked up a book before leaving the camp, Kyrk, in the appearance of a little goblin-like creature, eavesdrops on Ambrose while crouched behind a large boulder. Shapeshifting into a harmless bookworm, he introduces himself to the boy and shares his passion for books. To him, each book is a universe full of secrets and fascination.[1]

F153 Tea time with Kyrk

Tea time with Kyrk

Despite Ambrose's insistence on having a grand adventure, Kyrk argues that there is nothing more exciting than diving into a good book. As Ambrose ponders his options for acquiring books without going back to camp, Kyrk reveals that he has a strong love for reading. He introduces himself as Yosephesus Jadpoplar Kyrkogrim, but admits that his name is quite a mouthful, and asks Ambrose to call him Kyrk. He asks the young boy to accompany him for tea and cakes at his modest cottage.[1]

As they make their way towards his dwelling, Ambrose can't help but wonder about the identity of this curious creature. Kyrk proudly declares himself as both a bookworm by nature and profession. Ambrose remarks that bookworms eat books, and Kyrk admits that he does in his own way, eagerly consuming every delicious idea from within their pages. When they arrive at the cottage, Kyrk assures the young boy that his house is full of treasures and invites him to come inside of his own volition.[1]

Ambrose and Kyrk sit down for tea, and Ambrose finds himself captivated by Kyrk's company. He is thrilled to stumble upon Kyrk's collection of books, which includes many titles he has never encountered before. Eventually, he realizes that he has lost all sense of time. He anxiously asks for the duration of his visit with Kyrk. Kyrk admits that he's unsure; time passes at a different pace inside his cottage. Ambrose struggles to open the door, insisting that his loved ones back home must be anxious about his absence.[1]

Kyrk's demeanor abruptly shifts as he becomes hostile, insulting Ambrose and belittling him as someone insignificant that his family has likely forgotten about by now. He transforms into an enormous monster, declaring that now that Ambrose has eaten his food and tasted his elixir, he belongs to him and can never leave.[1]

F154 Kyrk intimidates

Kyrk tries to initmidate the young Ambrose

However, much to Kyrk's surprise, Ambrose finds this situation rather amusing. Instead of being scared or intimidated, he boldly asks if Ambrose plans on devouring him. The tough exterior that Kyrk had been putting on begins to falter. He hesitantly declares that he is not the type of monster who devours people, but rather the kind who traps them for eternity. Feeling annoyed that Ambrose doesn't seem afraid of him, despite his desire for the boy to cower in fear, he makes every effort to intimidate Ambrose. However, to his dismay, the boy bursts into uncontrollable laughter.[2]

Ambrose's laughter fills the room as Kyrk backs down, shrinking back into the miniature goblin-like form he had taken on earlier. Ambrose attempts to console him, but asserts that he is not someone who can be easily frightened. Kyrk is taken aback when Ambrose unlocks the door to his home and steps outside,[2] leaving Kyrk feeling despondent.[3]

Building the university

Once Ambrose returns home, he excitedly shares his "adventure" with Kyrk, the bookworm, with his parents. However, he adds a few embellishments to make it more exciting.[3] Afterward, Ambrose pays a visit to the cottage and proudly proclaims to Kyrk that his family now holds dominion over the Black Forest, making them the leaders of all its monsters. He admires the vast collection of books in Kyrk's cottage, but suggests that it should be expanded and transformed into a university. He assigns Kyrk with the responsibility of making this idea a reality.[4]

After five years, Ambrose proudly introduces Sam, a close friend of the Wolf family, to the prestigious college of literature that Kyrk has constructed. Ambrose proposes that the institution should expand its curriculum to include fields like forestry, zoology, botany, and entomology. He envisions transforming it into a comprehensive university with multiple colleges.[5]

Legacy

Ambrose runs the school for centuries, transforming it into a prestigious university that draws students from worlds away. A statue is erected in honor of Kirk on the university's grounds.[6]

Appearances

Fables

Trivia

Among the fictional books seen in Kyrk's home are Sarumens Revenge, Alice in [obscured] After[obscured], Never Told Tales and The Glass Heart.[1]

References

See also

Fables
Series FablesJack of FablesFairestFables: The Wolf Among UsEverafter: From the Pages of Fables
Specials Fables: 1001 Nights of SnowfallPeter & Max: A Fables NovelCinderella: From Fabletown with LoveCinderella: Fables Are ForeverThe LiteralsFables: Werewolves of the HeartlandFairest: In All the LandThe Unwritten FablesBatman vs. Bigby! A Wolf in Gotham
Characters Bigby WolfSnow WhiteRose RedPrince CharmingBeautyBeastBoy BlueFlycatcherKing ColeFrau TotenkinderGeppettoSnow QueenNorth WindJack HornerBufkin
Video games The Wolf Among UsThe Wolf Among Us 2 (unreleased)
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