The Curse Of A Witch

Long ago and far away lived a cobbler in a village. He made shoes for the town's folk, and repaired those of weary travelers on their way to see a great king. The king lived in a city a day's journey from the village. The cobbler lived just out of town on the same road to the city of the king. For their audience with the king, they all wanted to look their very best, and would stop at his shop for their shoes.

The cobbler lived alone in his comfortable house by a brook that ran fresh water to the fields of the villagers. He was happy with his home near the road. The cobbler's shop faced the road with his residence in back. It made for a comfortable life at the forest's edge . The back had windows facing the stream where lay the most beautiful garden of vegetables and flowers to cheer his home. But what he wanted most was someone to love him.

 All the maidens, young, mature, rich, or poor in town spurned his requests for marriage. They all thought a cobbler to low to marry. The cobbler, although nice and well thought of, was not very bright or handsome, and cobblers do have little money. But the cobbler, though lacking in what others thought important, had a kind and loving heart. He didn't resent what they said of him.  "They don't know who I really am." That's what he told himself, and decided to wait for someone to see him for his real self. For he knew someday it would happen.

One day a hag came to the village with clothes made of patched rags, for that was what her clothes had become. Thinned boned, with a walking stick to help her crooked back, she was on her way to see the king. For she had a complaint of a witch's curse.

When she rested, for she had no home, people threw money at her to move her on her way. That income was her only money for she was forced to live by the kindness of strangers. When the hag came to the cobbler's shop, she saw a bench at the front window. Beneath the  window was a flower box that cascaded over the side with color, making the bench more inviting. At the end of the bench stood a lovely earthen water jar with a leather laced ladle around the neck of the container. A sign near the jar read, 'Sit and rest'. She sat down on the bench to rest and thought of a cup of water if no one minded. She lifted the ladle and filled it with fresh water before bringing it to her dry, weathered lips.

It brought a smile to her, the first she's had in a long while, to sit in the shade with flowers about and fresh clean water to drink. She thought of having another drink but didn't want to impose herself, having no money to give in return. The hag stood up, opened the door to the cobbler's store and walked in. There, she looked about, everything in neat cubby boxes, filled with shoes and sandals, and a beautiful yellow canary singing. She also smelled a wonderful soup coming from somewhere. 

What a lovely shop, she thought and walked to the cobbler who was busy stitching a new sole on a pair of boots. "May I another cup of water?"

The cobbler turned and saw a very tired old looking woman.

"Why of course you may. I was about to stop and have a cup of tea. Would you join me?"

The hag wasn't sure what to say, nobody ever asked her to come inside their homes let alone have tea. "Well, if you don't mind. It's been so long since anyone asked if I would like  a cup of tea." She held on to the side of her tattered clothing, ashamed of how she looked.

"Oh my dear, you're fine enough to me. Here, let me help you, I have a nice cushioned chair near the window next to the hearth. I like to read there. Let me take you to it."

"Oh, no. I couldn't, my clothes, I might ruin your beautiful chair."

"I'm not worried about the chair, and I would love the company, being with shoes all day. They have tongues you know but I never heard one speak."

She laughed at his joke and he thought her younger than when he first saw her. "I'll tell you what. Let's dress up. I have a dressing gown in the back for you, and if you'd like, take a bath, for the water is warm.  I'll make tea for our soup and sandwich. You wear the gown and I'll put on my best coat and hat. Will have a tea party fit for royalty."

He then held out his hand, "My name is Tot, and you?"

She took his hand, smiled and said, "Mine is May."

"You mean the lovely, May?"

"No one has called me lovely in a long time."

"How sad, because you are very lovely, just like the month of May. Now here, go through that door there, down the hall and turn to the left. You'll find the bath."

May thought it strange that Tot would find her attractive. When she got to the bath, there was a beautiful dressing gown hanging near the towels and she smiled again.

Once May bathed, washing all the dirt and tired off her, she took the robe and wrapped it around, feeling how soft the fabric felt on her skin, not like the rags she wore everyday, and her body wasn't as tired as before. May then walked toward the shop side of Tot's house but was stopped by his voice calling out.

"I'm out here in the garden, come join me," Tot said pointing to a French door for her to use.

May opened the door and stepped out to a beautiful garden with the canary now singing in his cage hooked near the door. Tot had sat a wonderful table of sandwiches, tea and the soup she had smelled earlier. There were flowers from the garden in a bright vase in the middle of the table and Tot held out a cushioned chair for her.

After the two sat and Tot poured the tea they talked over lunch. Tot asked, "Are you on your way to see the king? So many are that take this road,"

"Yes, if he will see me in my tattered garments. I hear he is a very wise king and I need his help."

"What is it? If I may ask."

"I'm cursed by a witch and maybe he can help me. They say he is very good and solved many problems."

"Oh dear, I'm sure our king can help you. Let me get you some shoes and clothes so you look your best."

"That would be wonderful. I could make my own clothes if you have cloth and allow me use your scissors, needles and thread."

"I have some cloth but not the kind to see a king in. I'll go into town after lunch and get some very fine cloth for you."

"You're so kind to me. I'm very grateful. Can I watch yours shop while you go to town?"

"That would be perfect."

And so, the two had their lunch while they listened to the canary sing  and the brook's gurgle on worn stones. When they finished Tot went into town while May sat about tidying up and helping the occasional customer who dropped off shoes for repair or waited until Tot returned.

In no time at all, Tot came back with the most beautiful bolts of satin in different colors, and delicate white lace for trim.  He also brought everything a lady would need for making clothes. He handed them to May, which she thanked him for most graciously.

"Two gentlemen are waiting and there are shoes left for repair that I put on your workbench," May said.

"Thanks very  much. What a wonderful day, isn't it May?"

May thought for a moment, so much had happened in such a short time, "It is a wonderful day. I feel so different somehow."

"You make it a wonderful day, May."

For a moment the two looked deeply into each others eyes before they broke their gaze to set about the tasks at hand.  It took up the rest of their day but in the end, May had cut the cloth to make a very nice dress and pinned it together for sewing. She had a rabbit stew simmering on the stove with a fresh pot of tea when Tot came to the living quarters.

 "Oh May, I could smell the rabbit stew in the shop, what a delight and the customers wanted to know what was for dinner, as if hinting to be invited. Can I help you with anything?"

"Could you set the table? It's funny, but you put things where I would put them. I could find everything. It was as if I had lived here."

Tot stood still a moment, his heart beating so hard he thought May might hear. "Well, eh. I have a spare room with a nice bed. May?"

"Yes Tot."

"You could stay as long as you like. I really mean it, as long as you want." Tot held his breath while he waited of her answer.

"Thank you. I will need a few days before I see the king. You are the kindest most generous person I have ever met." May walked to Tot holding out her arms to embrace him.

They held each other for a while when May gave Tot a kiss on the cheek. At that moment, a tingling took place that rippled through them both.

When they let go of each other, Tot said, "I haven't seen you use your cane.

May looked around the room, wondering where she put it because her bones no longer ached. "I don't feel like I need it for some reason."

"You look so beautiful May, I'm a lucky man to have you as a friend."

May smiled, and  on her way to sit for dinner she passed a mirror and noticed the crook of her back was gone and her hair no longer grey. Her faced too, the lines and wrinkles had faded.

It was a dinner by candlelight and when finished and the dishes washed, they sat by the fire, May sewing her dress, and Tot working on a beautiful pair of shoes.

The next day, they sat about their tasks, and each day after. May made herself a closet of clothes and talked to Tot on adding clothe's repair to the business. Tot agreed and the two were soon very busy with all the new customers.

Years passed, yet May never went to the king. In town, people commented on what a lovely and handsome couple they made, and how gracious the both were to strangers, for no one had a bad word to say of them. 

One day, after years had passed and children raised, Tot asked of May, "Why have you never gone to the king with your request?

May held her husband's hand, "I found out the witch didn't curse me."

"How's that?"

"I had asked for a spell from a witch I was told to be very good and wise. In the land I came from I was the most beautiful maiden, that's what people said of me, and I suppose it was true, because I was sought after by many suitors. But none of them wanted to know who I was as a person. They looked at me as something beautiful to treasure. I asked the witch to cast a spell that only those who loved me for who I was, rather than my beauty, would find me."

May reached over and kissed her husband sitting on the couch with her, "She took my beauty from me and because of that, I found my one true love."

Ratty Mole And The Cunning Fox Final Chapter

Ratty came out one morning and stood on their dock next to the river.The crisp air told him Fall was not far away. The river traffic was quiet even though this was a good time to gather roots for winter. But instead of bustling with river folk on their way to stock up their larders, the water steered the yellow and gold leaves fallen from sycamores along its bank instead.

When Mole came out to join him for a morning cup of tea, Ratty told him that they should implement the plan before the town went hungry for lack of winter supplies. So, after a breakfast of toast and jam they set out for the deep woods nearby where Badger had a hidden entrance to his vast tunnels underground. Once at the entrance, Ratty pulled out a key that Badger had given to him and unlocked the door at the base of a giant oak tree. With a quick look around, to make sure no one saw them, they went inside and shut the door. Ratty felt for the candle holder he knew was near the door and found it. After he lit the candle and placed it in the lantern, Mole lead the way, being that he knew how to navigate underground.

They went down long corridors far under the oak tree with Mole tasting the air now and then, and before long they came to a green door where Mole said he thought Badger might be. Ratty knocked and after a long pause, Badger answered.

"Come in," Badger said greeting his two guests, "Sit by the fire and I'll get us some tea."

When Badger came back with a pot of tea, biscuits and cups, he poured the tea and offered them the tray of treats to go with it. It was like old times. Before the fox and his messages from this Creator being came into play, Badger thought, to hear the laughter and banter of friends.

Once everyone had caught up on the latest news, Badger stood and cleared his throat. "We must act now, before that fox leaves our village desolate as he has others. The good book merchant has been busy, he made our costumes and and wrote our lines. There will be a disturbance in town and we are sure it will cause the fox to gather his flock once again. Everyone will be there and this is the time we will strike!"

The book merchant came out from his room with costumes and pinned to each one were written lines. He handed them to each so everyone could read aloud to make sure they had it right.

"What fun!" Cried Mrs. Weasel.

"We'll have to see," said Mr. Weasel turning to his wife, "It will be if everything goes right, but what if it doesn't?"

"Let's not fret," Badger said, "We all know our parts and have talked about what to do. "It will be fine. After all, we have a secret weapon."

"What weapon?" asked Mole.

"We can read," answered Badger.

The next day the book merchant came back to town. He unlocked his door nestled in a Bay tree, dusted off his books and put the open sign in the front window. After everything was arranged he stepped outside to sit and read at the store's front window. It wasn't long at all before he was noticed and word of it spread.

When the fox heard of this, he demanded everyone to attend a meeting that very night. "The Creator is very angry!" he bellowed to the field mice who scampered everywhere with the message.

As the sun went down the fox lit torches at the entrance to his tent after which he banged a brass bell to call the faithful. When the tent was full, with the last straggler seated, the fox went to the back of the tent and entered behind the stage. Suddenly, there was a fierce noise of thunder rolling through the tent. It startled everyone and they looked about in fear as if they should flee.

The fox came out on stage from behind a curtain and walked to the podium where candles were lit on each side.  He wore a magnificent black and red cape from his shoulders with a feathered hat on his head. His eyes scanned each and everyone seated with a glare that bore into their inner core.  The fox's teeth flashed in the candlelight with a glisten sharp and cutting before he spoke. "The Creator is very angry for a sinner is in our midst." His voice boomed so loud that mother's grabbed their young and held them close.

"Are we to allow sin among us, bringing the wrath of the Creator?"

A "No," started here and there before it was picked up by others.

"What do we do with sinners?

Someone stood up and said, "Kill them. That's what we do. Kill the sinners or face the wrath of the Creator."

"Yes," said the fox with a smile. "Now let's hear everyone. What do we with sinners?"

"We kill them. We kill them." Was everyone's reply.

"That's right we kill them!" Said the fox.

At that very moment, thunder rolled through the tent. The fox looked about wondering how it happened when from behind the curtain, Toady appeared dressed in fine regal regalia. Along with him were two of the kits of Mr. and Mrs. Weasel that held the end of Toady's long robe, and as they approached the center of the stage a booming voiced announced, "Hail to the Creator. He has heard your cries and has come to exact vengeance."

The fox was truly bewildered. He looked at the crowd who obviously believed what they saw to be the Creator. And before the fox could speak, Toady raised his scepter to bang against the floor which made a very loud noise. "Silence!" He bellowed.

Everyone in the tent went silent.

"Prostrate  yourselves in the presence of the Creator." A booming voice bellowed.

Everyone fell to their knees.

Toady strode to edge of the stage and looked around at the quivering congregation. He stomped his scepter again causing another wave a fear to flow over the crowd and then he did the strangest thing. He took off his crown, dropped his robe and began to laugh.

"You silly creatures, it's me Toady. Look. I'm Toady," he said pointing to himself.

Then the curtain behind the podium raised and there was Badger holding a megaphone that he had bellowed in. Next to him was Mole with a piece of sheet metal in his hand that he wiggled and caused the sound of thunder and Mr. and Mrs Weasel who pulled the curtain up.

The crowd started to wave their fist and became very angry, they picked up chairs to hurl on the stage, and they looked like they might do worse. But before they could, the mayor of the town stood up, dusted himself off, fixed his spectacles to his face and asked, "Is this some kind of joke?"

Badger, Mole, Toady, and the Weasel family walked to the center of the stage, with Toady holding on to the fox's shoulder rather tight.

Badger said, "The fox here only wanted to show all of you how important it is to learn to read. Because if you had read how we all came about from thousands of years of evolution, you would have never been fooled. There is no Creator and of course the fox knew this. Didn't you fox."

The fox dangled a bit from the grip of Toady's as he held him nearest the edge of the stage where the crowd gathered.

"Yes. Yes," said the fox as sweat ran from his brow and he tried to stay away from the clutches of the crowd.

Badger picked up the megaphone again and said into it, "Fox is going to give you all back your treasure and add two gold coins to it."

Everyone began to smile, with the fox saying of course he would, that was his plan all along.

Then Badger said, "And with those two gold coins, fox ask you to buy books from his good friend the book Merchant and learn to read so that no one can be fooled again.

Badger grabbed the other arm of the fox and they went to where the fox kept all his treasure. He wasn't released until everyone had their money back plus two gold coins.

After that, the village never saw the fox again. And the town built a library and installed the book merchant as the librarian who, with the help of Badger, Ratty, Mole, and the Weasels gave free reading lessons. Soon their little town by the river prospered and word spread of the good news on why it was so important to read and learn of the world.  


 

Part Two Of Ratty Mole And the Cunning Fox

Ratty and Mole sat on the dock with their sandwiches, tea and books. But Ratty no sooner began to read  when he saw someone he wanted to introduce to Mole. Ratty wanted everyone to meet Mole who, by the hour, he became more and more endeared to.

And as the day went by and afternoon's light began to fade, Mole became anxious. "Ratty, I have had such a good time. This is all so wonderful and exciting to me.  But it is getting late, and I must return to my hole while I can still see."

"Oh dear." Ratty said, suddenly realizing what time it was. "Why don't you spend the night here, there is plenty of room. I'll build a cozy fire and we'll retire early, seeing what a busy day it's been."

Mole thought for a minute, so enjoying his time with Ratty, he really didn't want it to end. "If it's not too much trouble then. I would love to stay, Ratty."

Ratty beamed, "It's settled then. Come inside and I'll show you around. I have quite a selection of books."

The two went inside with Ratty showing Mole where everything was and asked Mole's help to bring in a spare bed for Mole to sleep in. They had bean soup with toasted cheese sandwiches while Ratty talked of all the things they could do the next day before exhaustion caught up with them and they fell asleep in their beds.

Mole woke to the sight of the river going by outside the bedroom's window. Even with his near-sightedness, he was delighted, so different from his hole in the ground, it felt to him like he always belonged here.

Ratty had made porridge and tea. He wondered though if they should eat on the dock or at the kitchen nook when Mole came in and said good morning to him.

"Oh Ratty it's so wonderful here, I could stay forever."

"Well, it's settled then. Why don't you!" Ratty couldn't be happier with the news Mole gave him. "Shall we dine al fresco?"

"Wonderful," said Mole.

In a weeks time Mole moved in with Ratty. They boarded up Mole's hole in the ground, should he ever return, and made Ratty's place into Ratty and Mole's home. The two spent their days on the river, and everyone said how happy Ratty was, and what a fine fellow Mole was, and isn't it nice that they should find each other.

One day a fox came to the river. He set up a tent on the outskirts of town and posted messages about the village that he knew the Creator and that all the creatures should come and hear what the Creator wanted from them or suffer the wrath of the, All-Knowing. There was to be a meeting at noon and everyone was to bring someone with them. So all the town's people came, but many on the river didn't hear of the meeting, or didn't care what the fox had to say and stayed away.

As the animals gathered inside the tent, they faced a stage with a podium in its center and lit candles on each side. An organ played somber music while the crowd gathered and when the tent was near full, great bangs of thunder rolled from the stage. It made them nervous, for creatures naturally don't like thunder and lightening. When  a hush fell on the crowd, the fox appeared wearing a black and red cape. He had on a large hat that looked quite regal, with a slick feather attached to the hat's band. The fox walked to the podium where he stood for several minutes staring out at the crowd. Sometimes he seemed to stare right through a creature that caught his attention.

When the crowd became absolutely still. He started to speak. "I know what is in your hearts, for the Creator has given me the power to know what you are thinking. You are afraid."

The crowd was afraid, from all the thunder and that the fox may know what they were thinking, so they nodded and muttered to each other that yes they were afraid.

Once the murmuring from the crowd quieted down the fox continued. "You have offended the Creator with your bad ways and he is very angry at you. He will destroy all of you if you don't do what he commands. But if you do what he ask then he will spare you and give you many blessings.

There was more talk among everyone about what would the creator want from them.

"Quiet! All you sniveling nonbelievers." The fox came down from his podium with a black box in his hands. "If you believe in the Creator, then give to him whatever gold you may have." He handed the box to the animal closest to him and told them to pass it around until it was full.

As the box was passed, the fox watched who put gold in and those that did not. "The Creator will show no mercy to those that are not generous. But to those that are, he will give them tenfold."

Once the box was passed, he took it back before going to those that didn't contribute shoving the box under their nose until they finally placed treasure in as well.

When the fox came back to the podium, he told the congregation that they were now true believers in the Creator. He then took from his pocket string bracelets and passed them among the crowd. "With this bracelet you are now under the protection of the Creator. And if you hear of anyone who does not believe--come to me." He then sent his congregation home with all of them showing off their string bracelets.

Soon suspicion grew among the river dwellers. The fox visited all those that did not believe, telling them of the danger they faced without protection from the creator's wrath. A few shut their door on the fox, forbidding him an audience.

The fox gathered all the believers once again and told them how vital it was for everyone's safety that all convert, or the Creator would bring destruction on them all. He also told them to bring any books they had, for the Creator forbids animals to read. There would be a book burning in the center square and it is now forbidden to talk to the book merchant.

The town's folk stopped talking to one another, for fear someone might think they did not believe in the Creator and report them. The fox had wrote down what offended the Creator and how much wealth everyone must contribute for the Creator's purpose to bring the word to all. He posted the laws all around town and at the tent where he held services. One rule that stood out among the rest was no one was allowed to have any books, for the Creator forbids that most of all.


The river flowed as it always did, bringing life to the river folk but few went out except to get food or some important item. The town's busy cobbled streets were left empty and the merchants went without customers. Especially the book merchant, who felt it was no longer safe to stay in town and left for the deep woods. They were afraid to buy books, or toys for their children, or dance and sing, for all those things were forbidden by the Creator who demanded more and more gold from everyone.

Late one night, Badger came from his home deep in the forest and knocked on Ratty and Mole's door. Ratty looked through the peephole to see who was there before opening the door. "So glad you got my message, Badger and you were able to come. Sit down by the fire and I'll fetch you a cuppa. There, sitting around the fireplace with cups of tea were Mole, Toady and the Weasels.

"I don't think anyone saw me, I took paths few know about." Badger said as he  walked to an empty chair.

"There aren't many creatures out anymore, but still it's best to be careful. Is the book merchant safe?" asked Toady."

Ratty came back from the kitchen with a hot cuppa for Badger and handed it to him. "Did you find out anything about this fox?" He asked Badger.

Badger grunted before he took a sip of tea, "The book merchant is at my home where he is safe in in one of the vast chambers I've made through the years." He then fished in his coat pocket and pulled out a bulletin similar to what the fox placed about town, listing what everyone could and could not do. "This came from another town far up the river from us. I had a talk with some of the residents, and the fox was there." Badger looked in the face of everyone before he added, "He didn't leave until he had all the town's wealth, leaving them a very poor community with not one book."

"Poor buggers," Mrs. Weasel said with a kit tucked in her arms.

"It's their lack of education, that's what did them in." Mr. Weasel added.

"Well, some animals still don't believe in reading books. Imagine in this day and age. What's to become of them? As you can see, all you need is a few poor ignorant souls to fall victim to someone's cunning. In this case a fox saw an opportunity to get rich off a fellow's ignorance."

"What can we do to save our community?" Asked Mrs. Weasel.

Mole put down his cup and cleared his throat, "I have a plan."

To be continued...