The shepherd

 Chapter One

Titan pass was located along the Titan mountain range and overlooked the Valley of Aphrodite - a place known for love. Typhon was the tallest mountain in the world and towered above the pass at 9000 feet it greeted the clouds at its top and was always dusted with snow. Giant and solid it could be viewed from the horizon in every direction 360• around even in poor weather its presence could be felt everywhere it could be seen. Named after the Titan Typhon(father of monsters) it radiated strength and power and was extremely difficult to reach at its peak. 

Those who lived in the Pass had a simple life they lived of the land mostly and had very little but what they did have they cherished. Everyday they woke up to the sheep baaing and birds singing in a morning chorus of delight that filled the heart with beauty that the mountain provides. The pure alpine air smells so refreshing at the start of the day and offers comfort that cities can’t . Life on the mountain is peaceful and full of joy and wonder that cannot be bought. From their altitude they can view the valley and mountain together as they went about their daily duties. Rivers flowed from their sources found under the mountain both were cool and refreshing with schools of fresh water fish swimming in their depths. The air could be crisp or boiling depending on the weather that day but it was always pleasant to the people who enjoyed the randomness of life from their mountain home and enjoyed being exposed to the variety that the sky offered. 

Clay was a young male shepherd who looked after his flock in the pass and who was in charge of their security. Daily he roamed the mountains with the sheep and counted them in and out of the fields he owned and had separated from the public through the use of a little wooden  enclosure he’d built round each of them. Carefully he cared and nurtured the flock to make sure they had a good life with good food and fresh water to drink. Keeping track of them was not too difficult as they tended to roam the pens that had been created to ensure a sustainable feeding ground was at their disposal. 

Often the first to rise with the sun Clay would wash in the river and then get dressed for the day. He rarely spoke to anyone in the morning as his duties were outside the village in the pass and on land he called Artemis - named after the goddess of the hunt. Once with his charges he would pray to Artemis for their protection and safety for the day as well as good nourishment for them to enjoy. After he prayed to Artemis he would make burnt offerings at a shrine he’d constructed to worship the gods and give thanks to them. 

Clay was tall and muscly and had long wavy brown hair that matched his eyebrows and a beautiful bronzed skin tone that made him glow on bright days. Giving the appearance of a god with his perfect complexion and blemish free skin he used his land as well as he could to ensure he kept the provision manageable at all times. Kind and caring he would use his talents to sing or play his pipe to them and watch as they danced and grazed the fields all day. 

Today he had counted ninety nine sheep and was perplexed that he was missing two so he shut them all in one pen and went to search the rest of his property for them. An hour later he still had not found the two sheep and so he began to search beyond his fields for the animals. Looking everywhere he could think of he searched high and low for them and eventually he found one dead in the woods its body having been mauled by some larger and more dangerous animal. Its throat had been torn out and it lay in a pool of blood that seeped into the ground. Carefully he hunted for signs of his other sheep and noticed a trail of blood leading west of where he was and deeper into the woods.

Knowing it was too late to do anything now he buried the sleep in an unmarked grave in hopes it would remove further treat from predators that lurked in the wood. After he had buried the sheep he walked to the river and washed his hands before returning to his flock. Tonight he would stay in the mountain to make sure no more of his sheep were taken. Returning home briefly he grabbed his hunting knife and headed back to keep watch on the sheep. 

Staying awake wouldn’t be too difficult as it was a cold night and the freshness of it made him shiver ever so slightly as he observed the scene. Straining his ear the whole time he listened for any sign of the culprit ensuring he was alert to everything around him. 

Cautiously he got up from where he’d been resting and walked round the pen luckily the moon was bright and cast it glow on the ground around him so he could see clearly what lay in front of his eyes. Nothing drew his attention but he felt uneasy about the night as it was too quiet. His sheep lay sleeping on the cold and soft grass that covered the field they were in. Silence was unnatural up in the mountains there was always something making a noise except for tonight where it was silent as the dead. 

Stalking through the nearby woods was a foul and loathsome creature searching for fresh prey to tear apart for the night. Its previous kill had disappeared and it was hungry for more to eat. 

Staying low in a crouch it crawled long the forest floor heading toward the fields where it had found its first victim the previous day. Alive and awake it searched the air for the scent of fresh sheep and was drawn to the fields just beyond the trees. It could sense its prey with its noise but something else was out here and it smelled delicious to him. Ducking lower it continued to move through the grass heading closer to whatever it was he could smell. 

Suddenly, the forest opened on fields that were gated and crawled into the open space where he was visible to anyone looking for him. He stayed low and crept towards the sleeping sheep when he spotted something tall pacing around its prey. A snarl escaped his mouth and the thing turned to stare at it with fear on its face. Having been caught the animal readied itself to attack and pounced on the thing that stood before it.

Clay held up his hand and the knife to counter the attack and managed to duck beneath the beast and carve a line in its tummy as it soared above him in an arc.  Blood sprayed everywhere as the knife found its mark and he was bathed in splatters of blood as he lay underneath the foul beast. 

It landed in a heap on the floor a few feet away from Clay and it remained still after it did. The animal was large and covered in grey fur and had big sharp deadly paws that would have shredded him into pieces had they landed a blow on him. Still breathing it lay there silently as if it were asleep until it opened its amber eyes and stared at Clay. It went to stand but as it did it began to yelp in agony and fell to the ground whimpering from the pain. It tried to lick its wound but it was a mess and was creating a pool of blood under it which spread out across the ground and soaked it in its red liquid. 

Feeling brave Clay stood up and walked a bit closer to the beast to get a better look in the dark. Moonlight shone down on the scene bathing it in an iridescent light that made its fur shine brighter. He stared at it in the eye as it stared back its snout a snarl and it began to growl at him. Clay stopped moving as he was scared at what the animal might do and he crouched down low. “I’m sorry,” he said to the beast as he knelt on the floor before beginning to move again. 

The wolf stood and again yelped in pain falling to the floor as it did and began to whimper once more. 

Edging closer Clay reached out a hand and he thought only of helping the poor animal by administering aid if he could to it. Slowly he crept round the back of the beast and began to stroke its fur gently as though he were one of his sheep. Flinching the wolf tried to stand and face him but couldn’t and in fear it began to shake and convulse.

“Calm down. I’m not going to hurt you I want to help you!” He said bravely. 

Stroking the wolves fur cautiously he began to soothe the beast and gain his confidence.  Determinedly he continued to move closer to it and when he was close enough he tore his shirt and used it to press down on the wound. It instantly filled with blood and he knew it would be difficult to stop the bleeding without sewing it up. He held the coth to the beasts belly and applied pressure to stop the bleeding. 

After a while he removed his hand and found that he had slowed the bleeding to a drip and was able to inspect the wound as the wolf was asleep from the pain. Clay checked the wolf over and was pleased to find that the beast was doing well and he knew it would recover in a few weeks. He turned around and headed back to his flock where he kept his eye on the wolf for the duration of the night. 

When it eventually woke it lay and licked its wound while staring at Clay with its amber discs. Slowly it tried to stand but stopped when the pain returned and it began to bleed a little more. He lay on the floor and stared at Clay who began to talk to it again. “I see you’re still in pain. I mended the  wound as best I could while you slept.”

The wolf just stared and Clay went into his ration bag and pulled out some meat and threw it to the wolf who began eating it pretty fast. Laying there eating the meat the beast looked quite docile and its eyes stopped looking at Clay focussing on the meal instead. 

When it was done the wolf curled up and began to sleep again and Clay was glad it had survived his attack. Killing an animal was not in his nature and he was loathe to do it unless it was necessary. Watching the wolf sleep Clay began to count his sheep and was pleased to find them all present and correct. 

Saying goodbye to the wolf he began to heard the sheep away from it to new pastures when the wolf began howling. Looking around at it Clay could see confusion on the wolves face and he began to walk towards it without thinking. When he reached the wolf he knelt by it and began to scratch its shaggy mane as it welcomed the touch of affection from Clay. The two spent the next few hours forming a bond that would grow into a friendship unlike any other. 

The wolf was at peace with him and it began to playfully lick his hand as it became tamer. After that the wolf became a guard dog for the sheep and Clay and would keep him company as he did his job without harming him. 

Storm

 I was walking through a thunderstorm and the rain was soaking me as I did. I was out enjoying the sunshine one minute then bang the sky began to darken and the clouds folded in on one another as they became blacker and blacker. I knew I was going to get stuck in the rain but kept on walking never slowing or stopping in the hope I could out run the storm that was gathering around me. 

I was trying to make it home before the storm arrived but was caught out and found myself walking through torrential rain as I continued to fight the bad weather as I continued to head home to the safety and shelter it would afford me. I was driven to make my journey through the storm so I didn’t get caught up in it any longer than I had to be. 

Suddenly, a cloud shifted and a beam of sunlight shone down upon me as the rain ceased for a few moments making me smile as the light made me glow and the heat from the sun dried me for a few minutes reprieve. I was able to experience the weather at its best and worst and enjoyed feeling the warmth it provided me. 

Then it closed back up and the rain came again as I rushed to get to the safety of my house. I was now cold and wet again but I knew that at any moment I could find myself bathed in that beautiful light and feel the heat as the sun warmed my skin. 

Sometimes we face a storm but in order to get through it you have to keep going and not stop to try and avoid it.

The Wish

 It was a grey miserable day. The clouds were dark and thick in the sky, heavy with water. The air was cold and wet making everyone caught inside it freeze. It was about to pour you could tell and I decided I would go into an antique shop to avoid the rain. 

I was just in time I walked into the shop as the heavens opened and rain slammed down hard on the floor. Splatters specked the window and lightning was followed by thunder as the wind began to howl. I was glad I’d made it to shelter and decided I should browse the shops wares while I waited out the storm. The news had said they would be brief showers so I wasn’t expecting to stay long in the shop. 

I turned away from the door and was amazed by the sight of hundreds of knickknacks and antiques stored within the vault of the shop. My eyes gazed over the piles and I thought to myself would any of these items really sell as it seemed to be a lot of outdated stock and less antique. It in my words was junk but something caught my eye. It was a beautiful gold lamp laying on a shelf disregarded like the rest of the items.

It was a plain beauty but the markings etched on it were beautifully carved in and it looked like the kind of lamp you’d  expect a genie to appear from. 

I walked over to it and looked closer it was more beautiful up close and sparkled in the shops light. I reached out to touch it and felt the air buzz with excitement. As my hand touched the smooth cold lamp handle to lift it for inspection a sense of wonder coursed through me. I wanted to pretend I was Aladdin as it took me back to my youth and so I rubbed it. Seconds later a genie appeared and I nearly fainted. I must be delusional I thought but I reached out to touch him and he was real.

“Hello Master!” He said in a deep voice. “How May I serve you?”

I was shocked to silence not knowing what to say. I just gawped at him as he waited for my response. 

After a few more seconds I said, “is this real? Are you a real genie?”

To which he replied, “Yes!” 

I sat there flummoxed and said I needed more time at which he disappeared back into the lamp. I grabbed it and took it to the counter and inquired how much was it and the shop attendant told me it was £100 for the lamp. I bought it and went to the door forgetting the storm but as I reached it the sky brightened and rain stopped. ‘It must be my lucky day’ I thought. 

That night I sat thinking what wish I should make and trying to justify it to myself. I didn’t know whether it would work or not but I decided on the wish I wanted to go with. 

I rubbed the lamp and out came the genie.

“Yes Master!” It said to me. 

“I wish that all my friends and family including myself will always have lots of money to live on and that we can use this to help fund charities and organisations to help people living in hardship.” I replied.

“Yes Master! Your wish is granted. You have two more wishes remaining and that was a very detailed wish.” He uttered. 

This I knew as I’d heard genies could be devious with wishes and wanted it to be clear and specific with no leeway for mischief. I knew I had to think carefully about what I wanted to wish for and make sure they were trickster proof.

“Yes I wanted to be as precise as I could to ensure my wish came true and would benefit everyone.” 

What I didn’t think about was what my friends and family would say when they found the large sum of money in their account or what the fraud team at the banks would do. I had managed to mess up my first wish without thinking I had. This I would find out later when I had calls from family and the bank about this issue. 

I was happy with my wish at that moment knowing I’d looked after friends and family and charities. I was beaming and I thanked the genie who disappeared again. 

As I went about my business I had no idea the trouble I’d got everyone into not to mention the fact the charities had received huge payments too as part of the wish. I was oblivious until I checked my bank and saw I was now a millionaire “Whoopy!” I screamed and people stared at me as I did. I withdrew £100 and went to treat myself to a MacDonalds. As I did, I walked past a homeless man and thought I’d give him £20 as I had the money now to do so. 

I felt amazing and enjoyed my breakfast. That’s where it started to go wrong. My sister called me which was unusual at this time she normally called in the evening. 

“I don’t know what to do,” she said in fear.

“Why? What’s wrong?” I asked.

“I have loads of money in my account and I don’t know where it’s from. The bank don’t either and the fraud squat have had to contact the police to look in to it.” She told me.

How stupid I was not to think about how the money got there. What an idiot! I didn’t know what to say but if it happened to her the same would probably happen to me so I’d need to correct it with the genie after the call.

“Don’t worry I’m sure there’s a good explanation. Perhaps you have won a lottery or received a bank payment in your favour like monopoly.” I said in jest.

“I’m worried the police will think I’ve stolen or embezzled it from work. I don’t know where it’s come from I swear but it’s going to cause a lot of problems.” She told me.

“Just wait and see what happens I’m sure it'll be fine.” I replied.

“I hope so!” She said. 

She hung up and I ran back to the house to change the wish. As I ran I thought about how best to adapt the wish to ensure no problems were faced by my family and friends. I thought about where the money came from and decided I would make a wish that my family and friends had won different lotteries that I had entered them in as a birthday and Christmas present. 

When I got home I grabbed the lamp and rubbed it once more to bring out the genie. “Yes Master,” he said.

“I wish for the money that has been awarded to my family to come from various lotteries I have entered them into as Christmas and birthday presents. I wish for it to be traceable to a source that will not need to be investigated by anyone.” 

“Very well sir, your wish is granted.” and with that he disappeared back into his lamp. 

That night my sister called and thanked me for entering her into a lottery draw that had won her the money. She told me it was all traceable and that she had no fears of being investigated for fraud. My other family and friends also rang me to thank me for their win. 

I was happy to have helped them all with their finances in a safe way and was proud that I had made my wish better by providing a source for the money that was won. 

The Rain

 It came after a long week of sunshine. The rain poured down from the blackened sky. The rain had finally reached us and was now cleansing the world from all its dirt and grime. The sound of each drop hitting the ground was like a crackling roast. 

We were caught in a storm that swallowed the sky and spat on everyone below. It was remarkable how wet the day was and it didn’t look or sound like stopping anytime soon. We waited under cover for it to subside but it tumbled on with lightning and thunder being added to the mix.

Then I decided to walk into it and start dancing to make my mum laugh, which she did with gusto. I made a wish that day to always find a moment to laugh when it seemed overwhelming and I have been doing so ever since. 

The Wish

 

The Wish – Alex and the waterfall

Destitute and Dangerous, crumbling, and chaotic, the city had turned into a hard, harsh, and ugly place for its inhabitants to live. The dust lined streets showed it was uncared for. Every structure either natural or manufactured, covered in black soot from the volume of traffic that passed them.

People wheezed and coughed as they went about their business not caring about anything around them. It was a place devoid of love, beauty, warmth, or emotion that indicated an empathic resonance to it. There were very few trees and the only green seen were the weeds that grew between the hard, dusty streets and the poor excuse for soil.

The air was hard and gritty, and it tasted like a desert was entering your mouth if you did not cover it when you breathed. Food was scarce and people were thin, mean, and nasty. They had to wear copious layers of cloth to ensure that they could manoeuvre around the city safely. Without the safety clothes the only passage available conducted through the old, reused tunnels of the ancient metro line and electrical tunnels.

Alex had lived here all his life and had grown to resemble the city – tough, harsh, and mean. He had suffered at its hands and the hands of the citizens and survived the ordeal still clinging to the hope that one day he might be able to save the dying world from its inevitable doom. Suddenly, the floor gave way and he found himself falling down a strange Shute.

Fear gripped him and his mouth went dry, and his breathing became more frantic. Lights illuminated the scene, and a sense of calm and tranquillity overcame him. As a bright waterfall cascaded from the ceiling throwing the cavern into an explosion of colour danced before his eyes. As his skin felt the waterfall a beautiful angelic voice spoke to him. “Welcome Alex!” It spoke to him in a soothing and empathetic tone. He felt he should be afraid, but he was not. There was no malice in the voice, and it was evident that the owner sought to converse in a peaceful manner.

A smile crept onto his face, “Who are you? Why are you here?” Two amazingly simple questions but ones that would have far reaching consequences. 

“I am the Water Wish,” the voice said, “and I have waited a long time for you Alex.”

“Alex, what is your wish? Think hard and think carefully. Word it well and you can save the world. Word it wrong and we will all perish. Only you have a chance to save this world.”

“I wish for the world to be a place of beauty for plants, animals and humans to live in peaceful co-existence relying on each to heal this broken sphere.”

The next morning, Alex woke in a soft comfortable banana skin sleeping bag. He unpeeled it to get out and suddenly realized what he had done. As his eyes adjusted to the scene before him, he realized his wish had come true and the world was a changed place. Gone was the harsh ugly city in its place stood a metropolis of trees and vegetation. People stared in awe at the beauty around them the babbling brook, the fresh air the sapphire sky. Vehicles were outdated and forgotten by animals and plants, each living in perfect coexistence. His wish had come true and every heart in the world had changed for the better!

 

The true story of Rudolph!

The true story of Rudolph!

By Sam Luxton

Once, long ago, when Christmas was new and Santa had only just set up in the North Pole. He was gifted 8 magic reindeer by the elves: Prancer, Dancer, Donor, Blitzen, Cupid, Vixen, Dasher and of course Comet. 

For many years Santa was fine and the reindeer flew around the world in one night. 

The population of the world was a lot smaller back then and it was easier to manage.  That is until a population boo and something new was needed and so the elves granted Santa and the reindeer the magic tree.

The tree was able to produce berries that enhanced speed and could be put into a pool that enabled time to slow down. The elves ensured the tree was well looked after and that the berries were picked at the right time. 

In time, the tree grew and so did its powers and soon the tree elves were able to live inside the tree making it easier to maintain.

Everyday, the reindeer came and sat listening to the elves singing and grazing on the trees berries. This heightened their powers and helped to ensure they were able to keep up with all the new girls and boys.

One day, as they arrived at the tree, they heard a tearful whine coming from its roots. As the deer approached they saw a crowd of elves surrounding a baby stag and his injured mother. The doe called Hope had been trying to calm her son Rudolph but his anguish persisted. 

The elves were treating the doe but the young stag would not let anyone near. So, the reindeer cantered up to the stag called Ruldoph, who calmed at their presence. Soon he was asleep and his mother came to rest next to him. 

The baby and mother slept for days, the reindeer stayed by them and Santa and the elves visited daily. They had hunted for the stags father but he had vanished.

One cold, frosty December’s day, Rudolph woke up hungry and went to graze on a few berries one was flashing red and seemed to hypnotise Rudolph and so  he ate the berry and went back to sleep. 

Later that day the elves, reindeer and Santa found the stag asleep but his nose was blinking on and off with his breathing. His mum woke with a start and so did Rudolph. 

“What has happened?” Santa said as he walked up to Rudolph. Rudolph was still and the panic that had flashed when he woke drained instantly. “Oh my dear stag, the berries at the bottom of the trees are not for eating. Come with me and we shall try to help you my friend.”

Rudolph couldn’t explain why but the gentle nature of this man soothed him and he began to control the blinking. They walked together to Santa’s workshop to discuss what had happened. 

For the first half of December Rudolph tried to play games like hide and seek, or capture the flag but the excitement made his nose glow and so the other reindeers refused to play with him. 

Each reindeer had another name that only the reindeers would use though of course Santa knew these too. They called Rudolph, blinker, not knowing how much this upset him.

On Christmas Eve morning, Rudolph and his mother prepared to leave the North Pole when the weather turned darker and a strange mist blew in. They dashed to see Santa who was besides himself.

“Christmas is cancelled, the reindeer can’t see. I won’t risk them harm.” Santa said mournfully. 

Rudolph’s nose began to glow at seeing this magnificent man being so fiercely protective and it sliced through the fog clearing the scene in seconds. 

As the light hit the rocks a brilliant display rose up into the sky change the light into many beautiful colours and clearing the mist. 

A vision of a strong and powerful stag hung in the sky and Rudolph and his mother while sad felt loved.

Santa began to smile as Rudolph came up to him and snuggled into him in comfort. “Thank you my friend, for saving Christmas. Please stay here at the North Pole. We need you and love you.” 

As he spoke the whole of Santa’s workforce began to sing and clap. “I know they upset you and you were ready to flee but I asked for help and the mist came.  You can control the light now and I ask you will you guide the sleigh tonight.”

The sound was deafening and stretched across the sky. As the reindeer launched into the air. Ready to help deliver presents to children around the world. 

By Sam Luxton

The Queen

 

She’d done it... she had created an apple that would remove her enemy from the world and now, Snow White, would face her doom for daring to be more beautiful than her. She knew that this was right and just, for she had given everything to gain control of the kingdom and her beauty had kept her in power. Enemies surrounded her and by ending Snow White she knew she would solidify her reign over her people and strike fear into those who sought to bring about her downfall.

Her first attempt had failed, and Snow had been saved by those wretched little men, but mark my word, her end was near. The queen’s hatred bubbled like lava inside her flesh. She would not be stopped, and she would ensure her power was unchallengeable and known through every kingdom.

Once, she had been foolish enough to love the girl as a daughter. Yet, with every year, her beauty had remained the same while Snow's had grown more and more beautiful, which was unfitting for a queen to witness. This apple would rid her of the obstacle in her life and remove it from the world forever. All she needed to do was to get it to her.

She tore through the pages of her spell book knowing the spell she needed was hidden in its depths. How was she going to make it to the cottage in that form was the last thing on her mind?

A gasp as she looked at the page she was hoping to find and busied herself collecting what she needed to make the second spell. The energy required would be huge, but worth it. She chanted the incantation and felt her body morph: her back curving and her flesh crinkling like paper.

Finally, she cackled to herself. She grabbed the basket and placed the beautiful cursed apple on the top.

She began the long and arduous walk to the cottage of Snow White, where she found the 'ugly peasant girl' cleaning once more. In the light she looked more angelic and beautiful than ever and the Queen's rage grew more powerful. She walked forward and offered the girl an apple from her basket claiming it was a wishing apple.

Snow knew it could be a trick but hated to upset an old lady with a weak heart and so raised the apple to her mouth and took one bite of the red layered skin.

Suddenly, the old lady fell to the floor screaming as she transformed back into the Queen. It was working, she saw that now. The person who had brought her doom, was herself for allowing hatred and jealousy to reign.

As she screamed, she felt a hand touch hers. The warm tears fell from her stepdaughter and instantly the pain vanished from her and the screaming ceased.

She looked up into the eyes of the person she had hated for so long and saw the truth. True beauty lies inside as well as out.