What If… Tingle And Beedle Went Into Business Together?

Today I want to talk about two tremendous traders, profit pushers and super sellers from The Legend of Zelda. They both want to make as many rupees as they can and add a splash of comedy weirdness to the Zelda series in the process. I am of course talking about none other than Tingle and Beedle.

Tingle is one of our favorite odd bods in the Zelda universe, a thirty-five-year-old man obsessed with forest fairies that sells maps. You can instantly recognize him in his peculiar green attire, hanging around from his red balloon and making up random magic words such as Kooloo Limpah!

Beedle is an enthusiastic traveling merchant that will buy or sell just about anything and always has a welcoming, “Ooooooo!” when you come to visit. With his Beatles-inspired haircut, beetle-motif clothing and gigantic beetle-themed bag, again you can’t exactly miss him.

But what if Tingle and Beedle went into business together?

This thought may prove too much for Zelda fans and the citizens of Hyrule. Could two such big personalities actually gel together? Or are they more likely to drive each other crazy? Well, this is a ‘What If’ scenario, so let’s give it some consideration…

What do they sell?

In Majora’s Mask, Tingle was a cartographer that drew and sold one product – maps. He makes maps by flying through the air and following the contours of the land. In this game, you could at least find Tingle in several different locations before entering a specific area. Maps are important in The Legend of Zelda; they are a vital tool for Link.

In The Wind Waker, Tingle understood that the fish men of the sea were able to draw maps for the low cost of some fish bait, so he had to change tactics. Tingle developed a new skill, essential for treasure hunters, of deciphering sea charts. Due to the specialist nature of this work and that he had a captive audience, he could pump up prices and increase profit. This shows some ability to adapt to changing markets but the fact of the matter is, Tingle still only sells one thing. I do have to wonder, how many adventurers like Link are out there actively looking for sea charts on a weekly basis? Tingle is pleased to be paid for his work but does not offer any extra incentives to keep the customer coming back for more. He does not have an aggressive advertising campaign, and it is a bit of a trek to find the one island where he operates. I have to give him kudos for the enormous Tingle Head Tower though, that stands out a mile.

In comparison, Beedle has a far wider range of different goods to offer including Heart Pieces, butterflies and Bait Bags. He has a good business brain providing customer loyalty schemes, membership cards, discounts and even compliments! In The Wind Waker, he has a number of boats in many locations for customer convenience. In Skyward Sword, Beedle has an airborne shop that he operates by cycling which again, means he can travel around. I have to say that ringing the bell and having to climb up to the shop would not suit customers with mobility problems. In Breath of the Wild, Beedle has considered this and literally has a standout mobile shop that goes with him wherever he goes. Your friendly neighborhood Beedle always seems to be hanging around nearby and because he sells and buys, any meeting is not a wasted opportunity. I think Tingle could learn a lot from Beedle in this department.

But what if they don’t get along?

In a business you don’t necessarily have to be best pals but you do have to able to work together productively. Tingle is described by his father (the guide from the Swamp Tourist Centre) as someone that is immature and stills acts like a child. Even though Tingle sells the maps to help his father out, it does seem like his quest to find a fairy of his own distracts him. Tingle is a master of gaining attention however; whether it be with his magical words or throwing confetti, you would never forget meeting Tingle. He would be someone you would talk to friends and family about. Free publicity by word of mouth should never be underestimated.

Tingle may seem childlike and naïve, but if you have ever watched any jester in a Shakespeare play, they are often the wisest! Personally, I feel there is a slight vibe to Tingle that I can’t explain but you just wouldn’t cross him. Maybe its because he’ll drop bombs on you if you hit his golden Tingle statues with a sword. At least he has a decent grasp of copyright to the point that he reminds customers that ‘Kooloo Limpah’ are magic words he created himself – so don’t steal them!

If The Wind Waker is anything to go by, he can also be a bit of a slave driver. Upon meeting Ankle and David Jr at Tingle Island, you can see them struggling to turn a wheel hour after hour. Ankle apparently begs Link to visit more often, because Tingle normally mistreats them! What if Beedle worked with someone like that?

Beedle meanwhile has a solid grasp on managing a business and is extremely polite. You instantly feel at ease with the cheerful guy, but behind all that bowing and the ‘thank yous’ is he being genuine? What if he’s far too nice to Tingle and gets taken advantage of? Well, actually Beedle has a bit of a dark side himself! In Skyward Sword, he has to pedal a bicycle to keep his shop afloat and he takes great offense at customers who browse and don’t actually buy anything. To make his point, Beedle will open a trapdoor and throw you out. Not exactly the best way to encourage customer loyalty, but it least it gives some indication that he won’t be taken for a mug.

Tingle has a passionate obsession with fairies, and Beedle has an obsession with beetles that at times borders on scary. At least Tingle just wants to be friends if you have a fairy, Beedle has been known to mutter that he is literally going to steal the beetles out of your inventory. I feel here that Tingle would help Beedle to chill out a bit and not be quite as intense.

Could it work?

If Tingle and Beedle pool their resources together they have about as much chance as anyone else in Hyrule making a few rupees. Many small businesses nowadays work under the same roof to save costs of rent and bills. If either is sick, the other partner could keep things ticking over so they wouldn’t lose a day’s trade. Tingle’s specialism for maps would give them the edge over the competition, as I’m fairly certain not everyone has a Sheikah Slate. Both characters are showmen in their own right and by creating a dynamic duo it can only make the identity of their brand stronger. Both men like balloons, and in Spirit Tracks Beedle rides around in his own hot air balloon to sell his wares, so I’m sure that would appeal to Tingle as well. I don’t exactly see them as drinking buddies, but I can see them turning a profit as equal business partners!

So, what if Tingle and Beedle were business partners, would they survive? What other problems might arise in their pursuit of rupees? Would the Happy Mask Salesman try to put a spanner in the works? Let us know in the comments below!

Alison Brunyee is an Editor for Zelda Dungeon. She likes reading manga and collecting Japanese wind chimes. Her favorite Zelda game is Ocarina of Time.