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.

The Maze of life.

 A Mindful Story.

In my teenage years, I got lost in the biggest maze I’d ever known. Every time, I thought I would get out, I ended up lost again and it caused me so much worry and strife.

One day, I deliberately got lost, through random choices, in directions and chances taken to find a new path. 

I was lost, I knew it but I was not afraid. I had found myself here and I would escape to safety.

I embraced the condition and situation. I’m still lost in the maze of my life but I will find my way.

A message for the lost!

 

A message for the lost!

 

A long time ago, I found myself lost and alone. The sky filled with clouds and my heart sang a mournful tune.  The more time that passed the more lost I became. Every new scene brought new feelings of woe and loneliness.

Nothing familiar could be seen and confusion threatened to swallow me up like a monster from a fairy tale world. My world passed by and each time it did I felt alone and more lost than ever before.

I searched everywhere for something familiar, but nothing appeared.

That is when I stopped! I calmed myself down and controlled my breathing.

I became aware of where I was, who I was and my presence in both. I realised the time that had passed was not retrievable but my eyes now open could see the path ahead. I was not alone and was where I was always meant to be surrounded by those I love, who tried to find me but seemed unable.

When I looked around, I saw my friends, my family and they were all staring at me with tears streaming down their cheeks.

I blinked, they reacted instantly, smiling and as one in perfect unison stated, “You’ve come back to us!”

Though this feeling overcame me many more times, it could never settle long because those I love found it easier to find me and guide me home.

Those feelings reoccur but I know I am a mountain and know life throws storms to weather me, I will not wither away. I will never be lost for all can see. I will last!

Elara

Elara was an elephant – grand, imposing, beautiful yet she had a problem… she was so forgetful. The other elephants feared to let her out of their sights. 

The elephant’s memory is legendary they will demonstrate this by returning each year to the place their ancestors died. Bones laid testament to their everlasting memories, but Elara was different.

She would forget things in the short- term memory everything since the traumatic escape from the poachers.

She had hidden those feeling (PST) deep down because she couldn’t cope with the onslaught of emotions, they created inside her. She had locked them so deep that it appeared she’d forgotten but it had scarred her inside. She now forgot everything she did.

Her family consisted of Elena her mother, Elliot her father and Ellard her brother and they constantly lived in fear that she would disappear or get lost again and something terrible would happen due to this problem. 

This feat was manageable for many years as the family roamed the African desert not stopping and rarely leaving each-others sight.

One day, Elara went for a walk and slipped down a hole into a cavern black and dark. Fear began to take root and when she heard the screech and the flutter of a wing before I touched her flesh, she fled towards the light barely visible in the distance. 

She stumbled and tripped but would not be stopped. But nearing the hole she fell and slid out the cavern plummeting to the river below screaming for help. Her last sight was of her family staring over the edge of the cliff way above her head.

When she woke, she was once again in a cage locked inside a van that belonged to poachers. This sent her into frenzy as she began to remember what had happened before. A sound of absolute terror escaped her, and the world went silent. Suddenly, the van was barged and tilted on its side. 

Elara fell and screamed but immediately got up as her brother ripped the door of the cage. The poachers had been barged into the river and had been swept by its current.

Elara looked at her family and said, “Thank you, I am home.” With that they returned to their wandering. One unit…one family…one restored elephant amongst them.

When Granny wasn't knitting!

When granny wasn't knitting, she worked as a spy! I know, I know I have a bit of a hard time believing it to. What you don’t know is that she is the number one spy for MI6. I mean who would believe a nutty, frail, old lady could be an undercover operative of such prowess.

She has stopped Baroness Europa from trying to assassinate Barton John and Charles Windpipe from stealing the throne. She is the number one spy in the world, and I am lucky enough to call her Granny. Though, I have to say, the day I found out what she was, not her best moment!

We travelled to London as my parents were away, she had won us tickets for our favourite band at a famous concert hall. We were staying at famous hotel chain in Park Lane, and it was stunning.

On arrival she started arguing with the concierge about his rough handling of her bags and that if she wanted the hotel to see her drawers, she’d be parading herself around in them. Then while getting her keys she began to comment on some of the jewellery.

“Well, that’s clearly a fake!” She said loudly looking at a woman showing off her jewellery, “you can see its chipped! That one there with the big gold signet ring is overcompensating for something.” She chuckled to herself as the man stared daggers at her. “I hope the room is on the top floor so I can get a better view of the nutters in the Serpentine”.

Most of the people in the foyer were laughing quite violently except for the manager who she commented, “Looked like a sour prune!” And of course, the overcompensating man.

I adore and love my Granny but at this point I moved her to the lift and set us on our journey to the seclusion of the lift as laughter sang like a church chorus though the ground floor.

“I wonder why they’re laughing?” Granny winked at me.

When we got to the lift, the lift operator asked for the floor and pressed the button and the doors closed and we started to rise.

“Well, that was fun! I bet the manger could cook eggs on his forehead after that show.”

The three of them burst into rolls of laughter and Granny tipped the lift operator handsomely as they left.