• The Stone Curse


    The other day I was strolling along the path in the Fir Tree Wood. But there in my favorite spot there was what seemed like a small red hut. It might have even been a house. Standing in the doorway was a boy. He l cooked about my age. “Hello? Who are you? Do you need help? You look awfully bewildered.” I said. No answer. None whatsoever.
    I approached him slowly and cautiously. It was then that I realized that the boy wasn’t moving at all. He was like stone. When I touched him, a sudden chill ran down through my body. This isn’t right, I thought, is he, dead?
    I walked deeper into the shed. There were various books scattered across the floor. The whole area looked as if it had been set on fire. Burnt marks were drawn all over the walls and floor. The burning scent still lurked around. I peered at the ancient books. There wasn’t much to look at within the pages. But I hadn’t seen the lone book lying down in the middle of the floor. It was smack in the middle of a circular burnt mark. The page it was open to had writing that I had never seen before. All these strange and unworldly symbols were too difficult for me to decipher. All I could make out were the pictures next to the symbols. A witch, a fairy, and a statue. Hmm. Now these are things you don’t see everyday. I pondered. Maybe there are more pictures deeper in the book. I flipped through the pages. Aha! I had found a page with a fairy on it. There was writing in English by a picture of a fairy:
    I summon you my fairy queen,
    With the power of the light.
    To send the witches all away!
    And turn the wrong to right!
    I whispered the words to myself, and soon enough, there was a brilliant flash of light. My eyes had never encountered such a beam of radiance. It hurt my eyes badly. Even through my closed eyelids, the light seeped through. It was reaching for my eyes, and finally got a hold of them. Then, nothing happened. It was dark. I was sure that my eyes were open, why couldn’t I see anything?
    “You can open your eyes, human.” A voice called from the dark. “You have summoned me?” I opened my eyes and saw the Fairy Queen, Eve. How do I know who she is? I wondered.
    “You mean me?” It was Eve.
    “Yes.” I was reluctant to answer. “I was on my afternoon stroll when I noticed this shed and-”
    “Yes, I know all about you. You are so kind to the forest dwellers. I am in your debt. But that’s another story. Could you so kindly tell me your reason for bringing me to this shed?”
    “Well, Your Majesty, I really don’t know. I saw the frozen boy and came in to see what happened.”
    “Oh my.” She placed her eyes on the unmoving soul. “Have you seen a witch nearby? It is very important that I know.
    “Witch? There’s no such thing- except for in books. You must be crazy!”
    “Ah child, you say that these creatures live only in books?” I nodded. “Well this witch did come from a book. She lived in this book of curses. Her curse was read and she was freed of her imprisonment. And for your information I am not crazy. Anyways, show me what page you found this book opened to.”
    I turned to the page with the picture of the witch. This time, I could read the symbols. I had gained knowledge that I had never dreamed of, and read the passage.
    This curse I read,
    The trees all moan.
    They know you’ll be here soon.
    Come out! You witch with the power of the mighty stone.
    “That boy accidently read the curse. He summoned the witch! And when she was finally freed, that wretched beast turned him to stone!” I understood everything. But how? “Eve? How am I able to comprehend all this writing?”
    “It was the light that I shone. It made you not only see the mortal world, but the immortal as well. I have probably granted that young boy the sight as well. That’s most likely why he was able to read the curse.” Then all of a sudden I heard a thump on the floor.
    “So you’ve found me again, Eve. It took you long enough to find out that I was the one behind this.”
    “Nyra. You will pay for what you have done to this boy. You will be sealed in the book forever after I am through with you.” Eve cursed. “Child, this is the evil hedge witch, Nyra.” Nyra had no time for explanations; she was shooting beams of gray from her fingertips at Eve. Eve dodged every fire with elegance. Whenever she got the chance, the fairy queen shot beams of light at Nyra. I had to think fast. Then it hit me: the previous week at school, the drama department premiered their version of The Wizard of Oz. I saw a well outside the shed. I then quickly ran to it, filled the bucket with water, and ran back to the shed.
    “TAKE THIS YOU WITCH!!!” I screamed at the evil demon, “AAAAHHHH!!!” I splashed the bucket of water at her face.
    “Noooo! I’m melting! AAAHH!” Nyra quickly depleted into a puddle of the most disgusting stuff I have ever smelled.
    “Congratulations, young person! You have defeated the evil Nyra.” Eve told me.
    “But, the boy.” I looked to the kid, but he didn’t move. “He’s not back to normal.”
    “Oh well. We’ll use him as a statue. In your honor.” Eve smiled.
    “Well, gee, thanks.” I guessed. I smiled too.
    “Just one thing, child, how did you know to defeat her with-”
    “With water?”
    “Yea.” Eve was very curious.
    “Come with me and I’ll show you.” I directed Eve out of the shed and took her to my house. We watched The Wizard of Oz, and nobody ever heard from Nyra again.

    THE END