That's what Lola and Liza thought to themselves anyway.
Out yonder, their sister Luna had a different opinion of what was to come.
Luna, the eldest, found herself haggling with the snag toothed wretch who had kidnapped them. Wincing in disgust at the site and smell of the miserable being in standing in front of her she knew that it was here duty to rescue her naive siblings.
Standing in front of her, the stringy haired, wrinkled, missing tooth woman demanded that she complete the rubiks cube before taking one more step. The requirement was that she complete this game of colorful intelligence within two shakes of a lambs tail.
If Luna is able to complete her task then her sisters walk free. If Luna fails, she and her sisters will remain captive for all of eternity.
Luna gawked at the cube, wondering how she would complete this task before the lamb shook his tail. Finally, with a huge sigh she held her sweaty palm out to retrieve the cube. The dark cloaked woman, grinned and handed her the cube. She was sure that she would not complete it in time. They both were.
Luna worked tirelessly, twisting and rotating the colorful tiles on the cube. Sweat dripped from her brow, she felt a lump in her throat. The lamb shook it's tail one time.
Distracted, she was certain that she wouldn't get the cube solved before the lamb shook it's tail a second time.
Twisting and rotating the tiles, she was within reach of winning! She almost had the cube solved and the lamb had yet to shake it's tail of the second time.
The last piece was needed, tension was high. The wretched woman still stand their grinning, Luna still nervous finally moved that last piece to complete the problem. The lamb shook it's tail for the second time but Luna was faster. The grin from the despicable woman disappeard and Luna jumped with joy.
True to her word, the woman retrieved the sisters and brought them to Luna. They were free!
The three sisters made the long trek home where they told of their adventure. A parade was held and there was a day of celebration.
Within the crowd was that wretched woman.
People took notice and talked, but Luna assured them that she was welcomed.
Luna was a kind and gentle soul, she pitied the poor woman and so she invited her to return home with the them. Lonely, the woman agreed and her heart once hateful and evil heart was replaced with love and joy.
They all lived happily after.
Image Source: The wretched woman watching Luna work at solving the cube problem
Author's Notes: The idea for this story came from the story Princes and the Sprite, written by Ellen C. Babbitt. In the original story there are 3 princes who venture to the forest. The 2 younger brothers are asked by the water sprite to successfully answer a question, which they are unable to do. This results in them being carried off. Eventually the eldest brother goes to see why they haven't returned and meets the water sprite who is disguised. He is able to answer the question and the brothers are released. They all return back to the kingdom where they rule. Living within them is the water sprite.
Hi Neko! I was really interested in why it had to be completed before the second shake of a lamb's tail? Is that something you've heard before or made up? What kind of significance does it have within the story, like its origin or importance to the community as a tradition? I think you have a good story here, it could just use a few more details to really bring the reader in.
ReplyDeleteHi Neko! I like your modern twist on the story with the rubix cube. You made it so dramatic when Luna was solving the cube, which was silly to think about. The moment was dramatic because the three sisters lives depended on that cube, but at the same time I've never seen a rubix cube solved so dramatically! I like the touch of kindness that Luna shows for the witch at the end of the story. The perfect way to end it!
ReplyDeleteHey Nicole! Enjoyed reading through your story. You did such a great job with imagery and descriptions, and they were really key to building up the suspense to figure out the outcome of the story! I especially liked your description of the old hag, as well as the names of the three siblings. Great job, and I’m glad the two younger ones made it out!
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