The Christmas Fairy and Angel

          In the streets of a city, a little girl named Emily was selling matches. It wasn’t easy for her to sell matches because there were people who wanted them and some who didn’t. But she did manage to earn some pennies from the matches.

          Emily was a poor girl and was wearing rags and clogs that were much too big for her feet. Right now she was watching children, her own age, walking down the streets happily with their parents. That was torture for Emily; her mother had died when she was a little girl and her father was a different story. Emily’s father was a mean, selfish man. He was also a drinker. Whenever Emily came home from selling matches, he would take all her earnings and spend nearly all of it on drinks. The most horrible thing was that he would always beat Emily if she didn’t sell any matches. So he never showered Emily with love and kindness. Apart from her mother, Emily also only received love and kindness from her grandmother, who was Emily’s mother’s mother. Emily missed them very much and always wished that they were still alive.

          Emily’s only comfort now was a Christmas fairy that she had found last Christmas. It had been abandoned in the street, so Emily kept it for herself.

          One Christmas Eve, Emily was in the street selling matches. Her father had told her to not come home, until all the matches had been sold. Emily didn’t like selling matches in winter, but she never dared to disobey her father. It was snowing and very cold. Emily had her Christmas fairy with her for company. Emily did the best she could, but no one wanted to buy her matches. Soon it was dark and everyone had gone home, except Emily. “Oh Christmas fairy,” she whimpered “I don’t know what to do. I’m not allowed to go home and I haven’t sold a single match stick”.

          All Emily could do now was try to find some shelter for the night. Luckily there was shelter for her that night. In the city there was a church. Normally the church doors was closed and locked up at night. But tonight they were left open. Emily ran into the church at once. “I do hope the priest won’t mind me taking shelter here” she said. She lay down on the floor in front of where a picture of an angel was hung. “I pray the angels will protect me tonight” Emily whispered and fell asleep, clutching to her Christmas fairy.

          When midnight struck a big surprise awaited Emily. Her Christmas fairy sprung to life and woke her up. Emily couldn’t believe her eyes that her Christmas fairy was alive. Then she remembered a story her grandmother once told her. The story was that it is said that Christmas fairies come to life during the night between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the morning. “Grandma’s story was true” smiled Emily.

          Suddenly a bright light shone through the church windows and then more Christmas fairies appeared. All the Christmas fairies picked up Emily and brought her into the light. When the light faded Emily saw herself in some sort of castle. “Where am I?” she said. “You are in the castle of Christmas” said a voice. A woman in a white dress, with wings and long golden hair, appeared. “Welcome child,” she said “I am the angel of Christmas. And you are in my castle”. The angel explained that during the night between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the morning she would bring the Christmas fairies to life. And if a little boy and girl had been good, kind and caring during the year, they would be invited to spend the night at the castle of Christmas. “And you Emily have been invited here too”. Emily was surprised, but very happy.

          The Christmas angel led Emily into a big room. And in the room were a hundred boys and girls. Emily ran over to join and play with them. Then suddenly a big long table magically appeared and on there was lots of food. There was lots of turkey, potatoes, soup, meat pies, bread with butter and cheese, Christmas puddings and cakes, nuts, fruit, candies, cookies and glasses full of milk to drink. Emily couldn’t stop eating; she had never eaten good food, ever since her grandmother died. Mostly she had only eaten bread and cold soup, since her father kept on spending money on cheap wine.

          After the meal was finished, Christmas presents magically appeared for the children. The presents turned out to be toys, books and new clothes. Emily got a new dress with shoes and even a coat with gloves, scarf and a warm hat and she changed into them at once. She also got some books and two dolls and two teddy bears. Emily couldn’t stop smiling; this night was the best Christmas night she ever had in life.

          After all the presents were opened, the Christmas fairies started to play music and the Christmas angel started to sing Christmas carols. The children, including Emily, joined in too. Next there were candles to light. The candles were for the children to make a Christmas wish. The Christmas fairies presented a basket of matches to the Christmas angel. The basket of matches was really Emily’s. Emily became worried; if her matches were used and she got no money for it, her father would beat her. The Christmas angel smiled at Emily to let her know everything would be all right. The Christmas fairies lit the candles with the matches, and then the children closed their eyes and made their Christmas wishes. Emily’s wish was that she would be able to live in happiness for the rest of her life.

          Soon it was time for the children to go home. The Christmas fairies took the children back to where they came from. Before Emily went back to the church, the Christmas angel gave her one more Christmas gift. She handed Emily the basket she was carrying. Of course all the matches were gone. But inside the basket was a small pile of shillings. “This is for in exchange for your matches”. Emily was grateful and thanked the Christmas angel with all her heart. Then her Christmas fairy picked her up and took her back to the church through the light.

          It was Christmas Day by the time the Christmas fairy brought Emily back to the church. When Emily saw that she was back at the church, she feared it had all been a dream. But she saw that she was still wearing the clothes that she got for a present. And her new books, dolls and teddy bears were also with her. She also saw the small pile of shillings in her basket. “It wasn’t a dream” she said happily. Emily placed her gifts and Christmas fairy into her basket and decided to set off for home. “I hope father will be happy with all these shillings”. No one was in the church yet, so no one had realized that she had taken shelter there.

          Emily and her father lived in a small disrepair house. The windows were broken and there were empty bottles everywhere on the floor. Her father had never bothered to clean up or fix the house. Emily was almost at the house, when she saw some people outside her house. “What’s going on?” she asked “this is my house”. When the small group of people saw her, a man walked up to her. “Do you know the man, who lives here?” he asked. “Yes sir,” said Emily “he’s my father”. The man sighed and told her what was happening. Apparently Emily’s father had died in his sleep. His drinking problem had made him very sick and the bitter cold of winter had made it worse. Emily told the man everything about her father; his drinking problem, making her sell matches in all sorts of weather, him spending all the money she ever earned on drinks, how he beat her and never giving her any love. “And last night, he told me to not come home until all the matches were sold, so I took shelter last night in the church”. The small group of people was outraged. “How could he do that to his own daughter?” a woman said. “He won’t be in heaven that’s for sure” said a man. “His death is his own fault” said another woman. “At least the little girl is free from him now” said another man.

          Of course Emily was saddened of being an orphan. But not long after her father’s death, she was adopted. The family, who adopted her, was a rich couple and they raised Emily with love and kindness. Emily became happier than she ever thought she would be in life. ‘My Christmas wish came true’ she thought. Apart from always keeping the dolls, books and teddy bears she received from the Christmas angel, she always kept her Christmas fairy as well. That way she would always remember that magical Christmas night with the Christmas angel and fairies.   

The Black and White Crystals of Ishma Part 4

How the Black and White

Crystals were created

 

         

          Meanwhile, back in the castle of Ishma, Prince Charles was holding Prince Edward and Princess Julia hostage in the dungeons. Sometime after Princess Julia arrived back from the countryside the guards had grabbed her and tossed her into the dungeon. Prince Edward was tossed sometime after her. Luckily no one had realised that she had left the castle, so Prince Charles didn’t know what his sister in law had done.

          While Princess Julia and Prince Edward were in the dungeons, Prince Charles was searching for the black crystal of Ishma. It had been hidden somewhere in the castle, so no one would get to it. The late king never told his sons where it was hidden because he didn’t know where it was either, because no one had told him. But Prince Charles was desperate to find it no matter what. He was about to turn red in anger when Willy came in. Willy was holding an old black and white book.

          “Excuse me your highness,” he said “but you may want to look through this book that I found in the castle library”.

          “What’s so important about an old book?” asked Prince Charles. Even though Prince Charles could read, he hated reading books. He thought that reading books was silly.

          “It has info about both the black and white crystal of Ishma” Willy answered.

          “Really?” said Prince Charles “Give it to me!” He snatched from Willy and began to read.

          This is what the book said:

          ‘Three hundred years ago there were twin princes named Prince Arthur and Prince John. Both of them processed powerful magic. Magical powers were gifts to them by a powerful wizard named Malthizor. Malthizor gave the twin princes the gift of magic because they once saved his life from being eaten up by wolves. Prince John the eldest twin became the next king of Ishma after their father died, while Prince Arthur the youngest twin supported him.

          Everything thought that Prince John would rule wisely like his father before him. But they all thought wrong. After becoming king, Prince John’s true nature was revealed. His heart was cold and used his magic powers for evil instead of good. He planned to bring Ishma under the cover of darkness. To bring Ishma under darkness he conjured up all of his dark magic and transferred it into a crystal he created. The crystal turned black once all of Prince John’s dark magic was transferred into it. So Prince John called it ‘the black crystal of Ishma’. And with the black crystal of Ishma at his side Ishma became dark and gloomy.

          Prince Arthur didn’t intend to let his twin brother get away with what he did. First he created his own crystal and transferred his good magic into it. His good magic turned the crystal white, which is why he called it ‘the white crystal of Ishma’. With the white crystal’s power Prince Arthur challenged his brother to a fight, a fight to defeat him and bring peace back to Ishma.

          The fight was ferocious. It was a battle between light and dark magic. The black crystal of Ishma turned out to be very powerful with its dark magic. But the white crystal of Ishma was even more powerful with its light magic. In no time at all the white crystal overpowered the black crystal and Prince John was defeated.

          Prince John was sentenced to death for his crimes and Prince Arthur became king of Ishma. Ishma was no longer in a dark and gloomy form and all was peaceful again. As for the black crystal: it couldn’t be destroyed because its magic protected it no matter what they did to it. Even the white crystals power couldn’t destroy it. So Prince Arthur buried it inside the castle walls. He never wanted history to repeat itself, so he never told anyone where exactly he buried the black crystal in the castle walls. As for the white crystal of Ishma: he kept it at his side until the day he died. And it was decided that the white crystal of Ishma was to be passed down to every new king of Ishma.’

          “So that’s where my ancestor hid the black crystal,” Prince Charles said when he finished reading the book “it’s hidden inside the walls. Come Willy we have some searching to do”.

          “Yes your highness” said Willy and they began to search for the black crystal of Ishma.

The Bride of a Demon

           A long time ago, high up in the mountains, there was a village. This village did look peaceful, but the villagers had a problem. In the snowy mountains there lived a demon, which had the power over snow and ice; the snow demon is what they called him. The villagers had a tradition; once a year, in the middle of winter, the snow demon demands a girl of sixteen years old to be presented to him in the snowy mountains. The villagers didn’t dare to disobey the snow demons wishes, because the snow demon had said that he would make the villagers live eternally in winter if he didn’t get what he wanted. The villagers couldn’t bear to have winter upon them all year long, so they obeyed his every command.

          All the girls, that were about to turn sixteen, in the village were sad and frightened because of the tradition, except one. This girl’s name was Snowdrop; she was called that because a lot of snowdrop flowers bloomed on the day she was born. Ever since Snowdrop was a little girl, she knew that one day she might be sacrificed to the mountain demon. But she didn’t feel frightened, she actually felt grateful to the snow demon. She was grateful because she knew that the snow demon was the one who ruled over the land the village was built on. Every winter, whenever snowdrop flowers grew, she would place snowdrop flowers just outside the mountain, as a thank you gift to him.

          One winter day it was now time for the snow demon to be presented with a sixteen year old girl. A small temple lay in the middle of the village and that was where the villagers would gather round to choose what girl would be sacrificed to the snow demon. This year Snowdrop was chosen. The vote was decided by her father. Snowdrop’s father was a terrible man; he never wanted a daughter. Snowdrop’s mother died after giving birth to her and he was not happy that he didn’t end up with a son. He thought that giving her to the snow demon would be a way to get rid of her.

          Snowdrop was dressed in white robes and she walked straight to the cave in the snowy mountains where the snow demon lived. It was dark inside the cave and Snowdrop couldn’t see anything at all. “Is anyone here?” she whispered. “Step forward my pretty maiden” said a voice. Snowdrop bravely stepped forward and then the snow demon appeared. He didn’t look like a monster; in fact he nearly looked human. But he had horns on his head and his feat had big toenails. Snowdrop bowed politely to the snow demon. The snow demon raised her head with his fingers. “So beautiful and exquisite” he said, with a smile, “come with me my dear”.

          The snow demon brought snowdrop to a room of the cave, where a big bed, with fury sheets and pillows, lay. He placed snowdrop on the bed and raped her all night long. This is what the snow demon always did; he would rape the village girls that are sent to him. Snowdrop did feel pain from being raped, but did nothing to stop him just in case it would make him angry enough to kill her.

          The next morning, the snow demon sent Snowdrop home. “You pleased me” he said, with a smile. Snowdrop curtsied to him and went back to the village. The villagers were relieved that Snowdrop was okay. “Now our village will be saved” they said.

          For a while everything seemed normal and during spring everything went well for the crops. But then Snowdrop began to feel sick. When she visited the village doctor, she realized that she was with child and Snowdrop knew that it was the snow demons child. She didn’t want to tell anything, especially her father, just in case they would want to kill it. One night, Snowdrop went up to the mountains, where she would place snowdrops, and said; “Snow demon I wanted to let you know that I am carrying your child”. What Snowdrop didn’t know was that she had been followed. The village doctor, who told Snowdrop that she was with child, feared that it was the snow demon’s child, since she was raped by him. So he followed Snowdrop and heard her say that she was carrying the snow demon’s child.

          The next day, Snowdrop was taken to the temple. The doctor had told everyone that Snowdrop was carrying the snow demon’s child. The villagers feared that Snowdrop’s child would mean trouble for the village, so they wanted to kill it by making Snowdrop abort it. Snowdrop didn’t want to abort it and kept on telling the villagers that she wanted to keep her child. But the villagers ignored her pleas. “This is for the sake of the village” they said. Snowdrop’s father was just about to beat her, so Snowdrop would miscarriage, when suddenly he was turned into a block of ice. “Don’t you dare harm my child!” a voice shouted.

          It was the snow demon. He heard what Snowdrop had said that night, and came to the village to retrieve her. “Come to me my dear,” he said to Snowdrop, offering a hand to her “we will take our leave”. Snowdrop gave her hand to him, then the snow demon put her to sleep and then he held her in his arms. He turned to the frightened villagers. “I am taking my bride back with me to the mountains,” he said “I do not want any more girls given to me at winter time. What I do want is a big bundle of wheat every month. My wife here will need it when the child is born. And further more I do not want anyone trespassing on the mountains, and to give you a warning”. He clicked his fingers and then Snowdrop’s father, still in a block of ice, broke into a million pieces. “The same thing will happen to you if anyone disturbs me and my family, and also if you refuse to give me wheat”. And then the snow demon vanished with Snowdrop, still sleeping in his arms.

          The villagers never saw Snowdrop again, but they say that they hear her laughter in the mountains. They also hear a sound that sounds like children laughing; which meant that Snowdrop had given the snow demon a lot of children. And they say that she lived a happy life with her snow demon husband and her snow demon children until she died.  

The Black and White Crystals of Ishma Part 3

Ted, Jack and Sam

          The three boys that Sophie was going to ask for help were called Ted, Jack and Sam. They were not brothers, just best friends. Sophie had been their best friend ever since they were children. Even though they were best friends they were very different from each other.

          Ted was the son the village school teacher. He lived with his father at the village school. Ted was the smartest boy at school and understood and knew about everything. He spent most of his time studying and reading books. But Ted wasn’t a brave boy. He had a thing for safety, which meant he never wanted to do dangerous things or go on adventures; he never wanted to get into fights either. He preferred studying in the village school where it was safe.

          Jack was the son of the village carpenter. He lived with his father in a cabin by the forest. Jack loved helping out with carpenting, but his favourite job was carrying planks of wood with a cart. Jack was the strongest boy in the village, with very strong muscles. He was as strong as a cart horse. So it never bothered him to carry heavy loads. The only thing that bothered him was that he wasn’t exactly smart. He was always bad at reading and writing. His spelling was always incorrect and he could hardly read. All he wanted was to become a carpenter like his father.

          Sam was the son of the villager shepherd. He helped his father look after sheep in the fields. Sam was always ready to strike if any danger came, like wolves, to kill the sheep. Sam was the bravest boy in the village. He had more courage than anyone else in the village. Sam was never afraid when he had challenges to do. He would climb trees without ever being afraid of heights. Always faced dark places like he was a night creature himself and always stood up to bullies like a brave soldier. His problem was that he didn’t have very strong muscles. His muscles were quite weak. Whenever he had to carry something like a bucket full of water or a pile of sticks, he could hardly lift or carry them at all.

          Even though Ted wasn’t brave and Jack wasn’t smart and Sam wasn’t strong they didn’t care. They were best friends no matter how different they were. With Ted’s brains, Jack’s muscles and Sam’s courage they made a great team together. That was why Sophie decided that they were the perfect group to help her with the quest of finding the white crystal of Ishma.

          Sophie found Ted, Jack and Sam talking to each other under the village tree. The boys became happy when they saw Sophie coming towards. They always enjoyed her visits.

          “Hi Sophie it’s been a while” said Ted.

          “What brings you here in the village then?” asked Sam.

          “I’ve come here because I need help from all of you” answered Sophie.

          She told them about Princess Julia’s visit and about what Prince Charles was planning to do with the black crystal of Ishma.

          “That’s crazy!” said Sam.

          “Yeah I’ve read about the black crystal being an evil weapon!” said Ted.

           Next Sophie showed them the map of Irasha and told them that was where she had to go.

          “You know this will be a very difficult task to do Sophie” said Jack.

          “I know Jack, but I don’t intend to let Princess Julia and Prince Edward down,” said Sophie “nor do I intend to let Prince Charles get away with this evil plan. Will you three help me please?”

          Sam agreed to help because he always wanted an adventure. Jack agreed too, he would go anywhere where ever his friends went. Of course Ted hesitated about going because he never wanted to go on adventures. But he saw the desperate look in Sophie’s eyes for help. He couldn’t bear to let his friend down so he agreed to help. Sophie and the three boys decided to start planning immediately. This was not going to be an easy task.

        

The Black and White Crystal of Ishma part 2

Sophie 

          Princess Julia’s best friend, Sophie, lived in the countryside on a farm, with her father, mother and little brother. Her father was once a member of the royal court, but when he got married to Sophie’s mother, who was a countryside girl, he decided to spend a family life in the countryside. Sophie was a cheerful, happy young girl and loved to help out on the farm. But sometimes Sophie wished for an adventure. Sure she didn’t mind feeding the animals or collecting eggs or milking cows, but it was still a bit boring doing the same things every day. Excitement was what she really wanted.

          One day, while taking a stroll, Sophie’s wish for excitement soon came. Princess Julia arrived at Sophie’s farm cottage. Sophie and Princess Julia were happy to see each other again. They had been best friends ever since they were little. Prince Edward and Sophie used to play together a lot, whenever the royal family visited the country side. They had a holiday home built in the countryside and would visit it every holiday time. When Prince Edward married Julia he introduced her to Sophie and they became friends with each other at once. Sophie’s father and the king were best friends ever since they were both boys. They were happy that their children became best friends with each other and gave them permission to play whenever they wanted to.

          Sophie was just about to invite Princess Julia into her house, when Princess Julia suddenly said it was an emergency and needed her help. She explained to Sophie all about her brother in laws, Prince Charles’s, plan to take over the kingdom by force with the magic of the black crystal of Ishma.

          “But everyone knows how evil and dangerous that crystal is” said Sophie.

          “I know” said Princess Julia “but Charles is filled with hate and greed in his heart. And he will do anything to get what he wants”.

          “What are you and Edward going to do Julia?” asked Sophie.

          “We have thought up a plan and that’s what I’ve come here to talk to you about” Princess Julia said.

          Princess Julia explained to Sophie about the plan to find the white crystal of Ishma, so they could use its power to stop Prince Charles. Sophie knew that crystal had been missing for fifty years and thought that would be impossible. Princess Julia then said that she and Prince Edward had decided to leave the mission of finding the white crystal to Sophie. Sophie was speechless! She couldn’t believe that both Princess Julia and Prince Edward chose her for this difficult task.

          “Edward and I decided that if we go looking for the white crystal, Charles may find out what we were doing and stop us” Princess Julia said “that’s why we have chosen you to search for the crystal. You’re the only one we can count on, so please help us Sophie”.

          Sophie could tell that Princess Julia really needed her help. She also knew that without the white crystal Ishma would fall to darkness under Prince Charles’s control.

          “Alright I will do it Julia” Sophie answered. She had no intention of letting her best friend down.

          Princess Julia thanked Sophie with all her heart and gave her the map from Prince Edward. Princess Julia said to Sophie that the map would help her look for the white crystal. Then said that she had to get back to the castle quickly, so that Prince Charles wouldn’t know what she was up to, gave Sophie lots of luck and then set off on her horse as fast as she could back to the castle.

          Sophie watched Princess Julia go out of sight and hoped that both she and Prince Edward would be alright. Next she looked at the map Princess Julia gave her. The map showed the place where the white crystal was lost. The place where the war fifty years ago took place was not in Ishma, it was in a place called Irasha. Irasha was a big land like Ishma and was across the ocean.

          Sophie knew there was no way she could find the white crystal in Irasha by herself. But she knew three boys who would help her. She told her family about everything that had happened. Then told about the mission she was sent on. The mother was shocked and didn’t really want Sophie to carry out this mission because she was a girl, not a boy. But Sophie explained that Princess Julia entrusted her and only her for this mission. The father understood what was happening; he always knew that Prince Charles was trouble. He agreed to let Sophie go. The mother hesitated but then agreed to let Sophie go and they all wished Sophie luck on her mission and told her to be careful. Then Sophie set off towards the village to find the three boys, who would help her.

The Black and White Crystals of Ishma, Part 1

The Evil Plot and Big Plan

        
  

A very, very long time ago, in a land called Ishma, there lived a young prince named Edward. His father, King Richard of Ishma, had just died and Prince Edward was going to become the next king of Ishma. Prince Edward was very sad of his father’s death, it reminded him of the day when his mother, the queen, had died ten years ago. But he knew that he was now destined to rule Ishma and he promised his father and everyone else that he would rule wisely and become a good king.

          Everything would have gone according to the plan if it had not been for Prince Edward’s twin brother Prince Charles. He was jealous of his twin brother being the new king. He knew that since Prince Edward was the eldest twin he would be the next king, but Prince Charles wanted to become king more than anything else in the world. So that night, with his servant Willy, he thought of a plan to get rid of his twin brother and become king. He decided to take the kingdom by force with the dark power of the black crystal of Ishma. Willy agreed with the idea and offered to help, even though he felt scared about the black crystal.

          The black crystal of Ishma was a stone that processed really dark magic. It was powerful and very dangerous. The royal family of Ishma had never used it because the black crystal was evil, instead of good. There was another crystal of Ishma as well; the white crystal of Ishma. It was as powerful as the black crystal, but it didn’t process dark magic instead it processed good magic. The royal family used its good magic to vanquish evil and made sure that their enemies never had it for their own selfish reasons. The unfortunate thing was that fifty years ago, there was war between Ishma and another land. Ishma won the war, but they lost the white crystal in the battle. It had never been seen again since.

          Prince Charles’s evil plan would have been successful if it had not been for the Prince Edward’s wife; Princess Julia. Princess Julia was outside Prince Charles room when he was revealing to Willy what he was going to do. She heard everything about Prince Charles’s evil plan and rushed off to tell her husband, Prince Edward, about Prince Charles’s plot against him and his idea of using the black crystal.

          “I feared that this would happen,” Prince Edward said “I have always sensed my brother’s jealousy and greed. I do not know if Charles is really crazy enough to use the black crystals dark magic. But if he is then we will need to search for the white crystal”.

          “But no one has seen the white crystal for fifty years,” said Princess Julia “it was lost during that war fifty years ago”.

          “I know my dear,” said Prince Edward “but finding that white crystal is the only way to defeat Charles”.

          Princess Julia then thought of something, and it was a problem. The problem was that if she or Edward went to look for the white crystal, Charles would be suspicious of what they were doing and might try to stop them. Prince Edward knew that she was right, but what were they going to do? Princess Julia then had an idea. She said to her husband that they could ask their old friend Sophie for help. Princess Julia decided that they should ask her to search for the white crystal in their place. Prince Edward wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to leave this difficult plan to Sophie; he didn’t want to put an old friend in trouble. But they had no other choice and agreed to the plan. He told his wife to inform her friend, Sophie, of the plan at once. He even told her to come straight back home after explaining everything to Sophie, otherwise Charles’s would end up suspicious.

          So Princess Julia got her horse out off the stables and got ready to leave, without anyone noticing. Before she left, Princess Julia told Prince Edward to be careful and watch out for Charles. Next Prince Edward gave her a map to give to Sophie; he said it would help her on her quest. Then Princess Julia set off on her horse as quickly as she could, to the country side to meet her best friend Sophie. 

The Poet and the Robin

          Many, many years ago, in the city of London, there lived a poor young man named Nicholas Burns. Nicholas had two jobs; his first job was with a man named Mr Sloane. Mr Sloane was the owner of a big shop where he sold pocket watches, handkerchiefs, umbrellas and scarves for both men and women. Nicholas’ job in the shop was keeping it clean and helping customers. His other job was being a poet.

          Nicholas was clever with poetry; he had like writing poems ever since he was a boy. Mr Sloane thought that Nicholas’ poetry was a real talent. He once asked Nicholas if he wanted to sell his poetry in the shop as well. Nicholas accepted his offer, so Mr Sloane sold papers of poetry in the shop as well. Even though he had two jobs Nicholas only had just enough money to make ends meet.

          Nicholas’ poems were usually about a beautiful countryside, the seaside, and all sorts of weather and above all love. Both men and women loved his poetry and always bought them, but he didn’t get a lot of money for them.

          “It is a pity Nicholas” said Mr Sloane “your poetry is very good. Yet you don’t get a lot of money for it”.

          “It’s all right” said Nicholas “as long as people like my poems. That is what matters”.

          It was true; Nicholas loved it when he saw customers smiling when they read his poetry. But his favourite smile was from Lady Christina Pendleton. Lady Christina Pendleton was the daughter of a rich gentleman named Lord Frederick Pendleton. Christina loved Nicholas’ poems and always looked forward to his new ones. Nicholas and Christina had feelings for each other, but Lord Frederick Pendleton had forbidden them to spend time with each other. As Christina was a lady he believed that having a relationship with a poor poet would put the family name in disgrace. So Christina and Nicholas never revealed their feelings to each other.

          One day Nicholas was taking a stroll in the park, when suddenly he heard a twittering noise. “That sounds like a bird” he said to himself. Nicholas followed the sound of the noise and found the course of the noise behind a tree. It was a bird; it was a robin with brown feathers and a red breast. The robin was hurt; his left wing was broken and he couldn’t fly. Nicholas couldn’t stand having a bird like that hurt, so he picked it up and carried it to his home.

          Nicholas lived in an apartment; being poor he lived in a very small room. He laid the robin onto a towel on the table in his room and nurtured it for two weeks. Then at last the robin’s wing was completely healed and it could fly again. The robin was grateful to Nicholas and sang a song to him.

          “Your singing is very beautiful” said Nicholas “it makes me smile”. Nicholas opened his bedroom window and told the robin it could go now. But the robin didn’t want to leave; it wanted to stay with Nicholas. Nicholas understood and the robin became his roommate. So every day, when Nicholas finished work, he would go straight home to be with the robin and the robin would sing to him.

          Two weeks later a big announcement was heard in the papers. Lady Christina Pendleton was to be married to a rich gentleman ‘Mr Robert Bentley’ in three days.

          “I don’t agree to this marriage” said Mr Sloane.

          “I don’t agree with it either Mr Sloane” said Nicholas.

          The truth was Robert Bentley was a very rich man, but he was a foolish man. He liked to drink and gamble and never took anything seriously.

          “I think the only reason Lord Pendleton agreed to this marriage was because of his riches” said Mr Sloane “he always did care about money and status above everything else. I feel sorry for his daughter”.

          Nicholas felt down hearted by the news of Christina’s marriage. He wanted to be Christina’s husband, but Lord Pendleton had agreed to the marriage and there was nothing he could do.

          Two days later, just one day before the wedding, Nicholas and his friend the robin were out on the streets together. The robin was sitting upon Nicholas’ shoulder and was enjoying the tour of the streets. Suddenly they saw Robert Bentley talking to his best friend Tom Hardwick. Tom Hardwick was a drinker and gambler as well. They walked into an alley. Nicholas had a bad feeling about that; normally whenever someone walked down an alley street it meant he or she was up to no good. Nicholas asked the robin to see what they were doing. The robin flew to a window shelf above where Robert Bentley and Tom were standing and listened to what they were saying.

          “I can’t believe that you are getting married to Lady Christina Pendleton tomorrow” said Tom.

          “Yes” said Robert Bentley “and after that is when I will become richer than ever”.

          “What about Lord Pendleton and his daughter?” asked Tom “What will become of them?”

          “The old man is getting older and older Tom” said Robert Bentley “I’ll be claiming the fortune after he dies; besides I can wait for that. As for Christina, I need her to give me an heir”. Tom understood and congratulated him on his marriage and success of wealth.

          After listening to their conversation, the robin flew back to Nicholas.

          “They are up to something aren’t they?” asked Nicholas. The robin tweeted as if to say yes. Nicholas really wanted to see what Robert Bentley’s plan for the Pendleton family was, but he didn’t know how.

          When Nicholas went to Mr Sloane’s shop for work, Mr Sloane was pleased to see him. He told Nicholas that Robert Bentley ordered some things from the shop and wanted them to deliver the things to his home. “Can you deliver them please Nicholas?” asked Mr Sloane “I need to stay here and guard the shop”. Nicholas agreed to do so and was happy; this was his chance to find out what Robert Bentley was planning.

          Nicholas went to Robert Bentley’s house to deliver the items he ordered. When he knocked on the door the maid told him that Robert Bentley was busy at the moment, but asked to wait in the study for him. When Nicholas was in the study, he put down the box of items and searched the study for evidence. In a drawer of a desk he found what he was looking for. It was a piece of paper of Robert Bentley’s plans of what he was going to do after Lord Pendleton died.

          Lord Pendleton owned four factories; a thread factory, a glass factory, a paper factory and a jewel factory. Robert Bentley’s plan was to tear them both down and replace them both with bars and shops and keep of the fortunes he would receive from Lord Pendleton for himself. As for Christina; she will give him a son and then will be gotten rid off. Nicholas didn’t like the ideas and placed the paper in his pocket to show to Lord Pendleton later. Then Robert Bentley entered the study and examined the items that Nicholas delivered. He had ordered five handkerchiefs, four umbrellas and two scarves as a wedding gift for Christina. He paid Nicholas for the items and then Nicholas left. Nicholas had a plan; he decided to show up at the wedding tomorrow and show the plans to Lord Pendleton then.

          The next day was Lady Christina Pendleton and Robert Bentley’s wedding. Everything was ready and all the guests were excited. Christina wasn’t excited about her marriage though; she didn’t love Robert Bentley. She had told her father that lots of times, but Lord Pendleton wouldn’t hear of it. Soon the ceremony started, the priest came up to the wedding vows. He was just about to ask Robert Bentley if he would take Christina for his wife, when Nicholas stormed into the church.

          “Stop the wedding!” he shouted, he walked down the aisle, “Lord Pendleton this man will ruin your family name if you let him marry Christina”.

          “What is the meaning of this?” demanded Lord Pendleton “And what are you talking about?”

          Nicholas took the paper, which showed Robert Bentley’s plan, out of his pocket and gave it to Lord Pendleton. Lord Pendleton grew red in the face when he read the plans.

          “You plan to ruin my factories and make my daughter an item to give you children?” he shouted at Robert Bentley.

          Robert Bentley just stood there nervously. “Well I uh” he said. “Enough!” yelled Lord Pendleton. He called the wedding off and ordered him to leave. Robert Bentley and Tom Hardwick rushed out of the church, as quick as they could.

          Lord Pendleton apologized to his daughter for making a grave mistake. Christina said it was alright and was happy that she didn’t have to marry Robert Bentley.

          “I thank you for telling me” Lord Pendleton said to Nicholas.

          “It was my pleasure sir” Nicholas said “and I ask if I may recite a poem I’ve just made up for your daughter”. Lord Pendleton accepted the request. Nicholas told Christina the poem.

                                         

‘Christina ever since you and I first met,

I have always wanted to say some things I’d never regret.

Your pink lips and skin as white as snow,

Always sets my heart aglow.

Your golden sunshine of hair,

With it’s beautiful flair.

And your beautiful eyes of green,

Makes you the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.

What I want to say now is not a joke,

Even though you are rich and I am broke.

When I’m not with you I’m in a tiz,

That is why I have to ask you this.

Christina you are the love of my life,

Which is why I ask you to become my wife?’

 

          “So Christina would you become my wife?” Nicholas asked again. “I will” replied Christina and ran into Nicholas’ arms. Lord Pendleton was reluctant of this marriage proposal at first, but since Nicholas revealed Robert Bentley’s terrible plans, he agreed to the marriage.

          So Nicholas married Christina and became Lord Nicholas Burns. After Lord Pendleton died Nicholas inherited the factories and kept them the way they were. He still wrote poems for Christina and when they had children, he read his poems to them too. Nicholas and Christina lived a long and happy life together.

          As for the robin, it remained Nicholas’ best friend till the end of its life. 

The Ugly Worm

          Once upon a time, in the middle of a big park, there was a mother worm looking after her nest in the mud. She had many eggs, but one of them looked different from the rest. This egg was white and round shape; the other eggs were light brown and cocoon shape. Suddenly one by one the eggs hatched and there were baby worms crawling everywhere. But the white round egg took more time to hatch. When it did hatch the baby worm wasn’t pink and smooth like its brothers and sisters; it was green and hairy.

          “That is one ugly baby worm you have there” said another worm.

          The mother worm also thought he was ugly, but that didn’t stop her caring for him. But unfortunately for the ugly worm; he was teased and picked on by the other worms. Even his brothers and sisters picked on him and called him ugly.

          One day something terrible happened to the ugly worm’s family. There were lots of birds in the park and they began eating all the worms. The ugly worm hid himself into the grass to not get eaten. As he was green all over the grass camouflaged him, the birds didn’t see him so he was spared. He was relieved that he didn’t get eaten, but he was all alone now.

          The ugly worm crawled its way through the park to find somewhere else to stay. It was too dangerous for him to stay where he lived now since the birds were there. He hoped that he wouldn’t be teased for his ugliness again. But he was;

          “Ugh! What an ugly creature” said a spider.

          “I wouldn’t have him as my mate” said a snail.

          “That ugly worm is the ugliest creature I’ve ever met” said a beetle.

          “This worm frightens my children” cried a ladybird “go away!”

          No one liked the ugly worm at all nor did they want him around; it made him feel more miserable and lonely than ever. He wished that the birds had eaten him too; that way he wouldn’t have had to go through so much suffering. He crawled to different places; like flower beds, bushes and holes in the ground. But where ever he went, there were creatures there to call him ugly. The only place where he wouldn’t be bothered was up a tree.

          The tree that he crawled up on was the biggest tree in the whole park. The ugly worm felt happier in the tree. There were no insects to pick on him and the green leaves kept him safe from birds. So the tree became his new home. To him the tree was a better place for him to be than in the mud.

          One day, in the middle of summer, the ugly worm felt very strange. He felt hungrier than ever and felt like he was growing bigger. After having a huge feast of green leaves, he tied himself to a branch of a tree with silk. The ugly worm had no idea why he was doing this but his instinct kept on making him do it. So the ugly worm kept on covering himself with silk, until he was completely covered with silk and built a cocoon. He stayed inside the cocoon for two weeks then he burst out of the cocoon.

          Being in the cocoon for two weeks had changed the ugly worm completely. He was no longer a green and hairy worm, but a beautiful butterfly with colourful wings of purple, white and black. The truth was he was a caterpillar, not a worm. The butterfly spread his wings and flew around the park. Where ever he flew the other insects thought he was the most beautiful butterfly ever. Even other butterflies that also lived in the park welcomed him. At first the butterfly felt shy from all the attention he was getting but he felt happy. Before he had been picked on because of his ugliness, but now he was no longer the ugly worm. And he was never picked on again.

Yurie and the Garden

           Once upon a time a rich girl named Yurie lived with her uncle Kiyoshi in a big mansion. Yurie was a good and sweet little girl but she was unhappy most of the time. The truth was Kiyoshi was away from home all the time and Yurie hardly ever saw him.  Yurie thought it was because he hated her. The reason for that was because her mother, Yumie, was her uncle’s elder sister. Yumie died after she gave birth to Yurie eight years ago and it made Kiyoshi very upset when she died. Yurie believed that her uncle blamed her for her death. Of course this was not true; the real reason was Kiyoshi feared that loving Yurie as much as he loved Yumie would make him lose her but Yurie didn’t know that yet.

          The servants knew it wasn’t Yurie’s fault that Yumie died and they all cared for her like she was their daughter. They taught her how to read, write, sew and play two stringed instruments called the kokyu and the shamisen. But Yurie’s favourite thing to do was learn how to tend to gardens. Yurie loved being in the gardens outside the mansion. The flowers and trees always made her smile. The servants always said that she got the love of gardens from her mother. They always told her that Yumie would spend hours in the gardens every day. Yurie loved it when the servants told her stories about her mother, but there were times that she would cry from listening to them because she missed her mother.

          One cold winter day Yurie was taking a walk out into the garden with her doll, Sakura. Sakura was a gift to Yurie from her mother. Yumie made the doll for Yurie just before she was born. She looked like a little girl, with short black hair and was dressed in a pink kimono. Yurie had always kept Sakura with her day and night, she thought of her as a sister. It was near the end of winter, no leaves or flowers had sprouted yet. Yurie didn’t like it when there were no leaves or flowers. It made gardens look dead.

          Yurie walked over to a big wall with a door attached to it. She had once heard the servants say that behind the door was a garden that Yumie and Kiyoshi used to spend a lot of time. Yurie had always wanted to go through the door and see the garden her mother and uncle loved so much. But the door was locked and no one knew where the key was. Apparently Kiyoshi had the garden locked up and the key buried somewhere ever since Yumie died. The garden reminded him too much of his sister. After just staring at the locked door for a while, Yurie went straight back to the mansion. 

          That night Yurie was in bed with Sakura lying beside her. She was just about to go to sleep, when she heard voices from outside her room. She sat up in bed and listened to what the voices were saying. “Did you clean that room again?” asked a servant. “Yes I did” another servant answered “I must ask you though. Why does master Kiyoshi keep that room cleaned, locked up and never shows it to Yurie? It is her mother’s room after all”. “It’s because he has been upset since she died and doesn’t want to upset Yurie with it. He doesn’t want it dirty which is why he asks us to keep it clean.” Then the voices died down.

            Yurie got out of bed, came out of her room and walked to her mother’s room. It was five rooms away from Yurie’s room. She had always wanted to look in there, but since it was kept locked up tight she couldn’t. But tonight luck was on Yurie’s side. The servant, who cleaned the room, left the key in the lock. Yurie took the key out of the lock and went back to bed. She thought it was too dark to go in there now, so she would go in there tomorrow when the sun started to rise. Then she fell asleep, holding Sakura and the key close to her.

          While she slept that night she had a dream; a dream about her mother Yumie. Yurie was standing in a garden she had never been in before. It was a beautiful garden with flowers everywhere. Then suddenly Yumie appeared kneeling in front of her.

          “Mother!” she cried, running into Yumie’s arms, “I miss you so much”. Tears were running down her cheeks.

          “There, there my daughter” said Yumie, holding her daughter tight, “listen carefully to what I have to say. My garden feels sad and lonely without anyone there to care for it. Yurie I ask you to care for it in my place”.

          “But mother” said Yurie “I don’t know where the key to the garden is”.

          “My best friend Iris has the key” said Yumie “find her and you will find the key. I’m counting on you my daughter”. Then Yurie’s dream ended at that. Yurie still had tears in her eyes while she slept; she missed her mother very much.

          The next morning, just when the sun was starting to rise, Yurie got up very early. She wanted to look into her mother’s room, before anyone was up. So she quickly got out of bed, grabbed the key to her mother’s room, went out of her room and went straight to her mother’s room. Luckily none of the servants were up yet. So this was Yurie’s chance of seeing the room before anyone could stop her. She unlocked the door, opened it, and went inside.

          Yumie’s room was a big room, with a big bed, a dressing table, a wardrobe with kimonos and there was a big painted portrait of Yumie and Kiyoshi. Yurie closed the door, so the servants wouldn’t see her and looked around. On Yumie’s dressing table there was pretty jewellery, hair clips, barrettes and hair combs. Yurie found her mother’s kimonos really beautiful and wouldn’t stop staring at the portrait. Kiyoshi’s smile was something she had never seen before. Whenever she saw him he never smiled because of his sadness.

          What caught Yurie’s eyes the most was a doll that lay upon Yumie’s bed. The doll looked like Sakura; only this doll looked a bit older with long black hair and dressed in a dark purple kimono. “This must be Iris” Yurie whispered to herself. She remembered that one time she heard the servant, who took care of the room, talking about a doll called Iris that belonged to Yumie. Remembering what her mother said about Iris having the key to the garden, Yurie picked up Iris. There right under Iris was the key to the garden. Yurie was happy to have finally found the key to the garden. She grabbed the key, put Iris back onto the bed and left the room, remembering to lock the door and leave the room key in the lock where the servant left it so that she wouldn’t notice it hadn’t been moved.

          During the day Yurie pretended to act like nothing special had happened, so the servants wouldn’t be suspicious of her. Then after going through all of today’s lessons of reading, writing, sewing and music, Yurie went straight into the garden. She ran straight to the locked door, unlocked it with the key, opened the door and went straight into the garden. Yurie was amazed by what she was seeing. The garden was big, with lots of grass, lots of flower beds, and three sakura trees. In the middle of the garden was a big pond with a few carps in it. There was even a band stand; Yurie had seen the band stand in the portrait of her mother and uncle sitting there together. Yurie was happy to be finally in her mother’s garden, but was not happy at the way it looked. The garden was in a terrible mess, since it hadn’t been looked after for eight years. There were lots of dead leaves, lots of weeds, broken sticks and the pond and band stand didn’t look tidy either.  Yurie didn’t like it like that and decided she would take care of it. “Mother” she said “I promise you I will make your garden as good as new”.

          Yurie knew of course that she couldn’t take care of the garden by herself, so she decided to ask her friend Sentarou to help her. Her friend Sentarou was the gardener’s twelve year old son. He was like an elder brother to Yurie and spent all his free time with her. Yurie found him by a tree close to the locked garden and ran up to him. “Sentarou” she said “I need your help”. She told Sentarou about her finding of the garden key and going inside. “You actually went in there?” Sentarou asked “what is it like?” “It is a mess in there” answered Yurie “I can’t take care of the garden myself, so will you help me please?” “Of course I can” said Sentarou “show me the garden please”. Yurie led Sentarou into the garden and he took a good look at it. “You’re right it is a mess” said Sentarou “but if we work together we can make the garden as good as new”. Yurie agreed and they both promised each other to keep this all a secret. They feared that telling anyone about this would get them into trouble and they may not be allowed to go to the garden anymore.

          So all through the rest of winter and the beginning of spring, Yurie and Sentarou tended the garden together. Sentarou raked the dead leaves, cut off the dead wood from the two bushes and picked up all the broken sticks. Yurie tided up the flower beds and pulled out the weeds. Then together they took care of the pond and band stand, until the whole garden looked as good as new. And together they watched the garden grow. By the time it was the middle of spring, the garden was full of flowers and green leaves on the trees and bushes. There were lotus flowers in the pond, sakura blossoms on the trees, iris growing around the band stand, pink and white azalea flowers bloomed on the bushes and there were multi coloured chrysanthemums and orchid flowers in the flower beds.

          “The garden really is now good as new” said Sentarou. Yurie agreed with him; the garden had become exactly as she saw it in the dream of her mother. She told Sentarou all about the dream. “It was a good thing that your mother visited you that night” said Sentarou “otherwise we would have never been able to look after this garden”. “I do wish that my uncle would see this” said Yurie “I wish he would come home and spend time in this garden, like he used to do when mother was alive”.  Yurie prayed her wish will come true.

          Meanwhile somewhere, far away from the mansion, Kiyoshi was asleep at an inn and was dreaming. He was dreaming that he was in his late sister’s garden. And there, standing in front of the band stand was his sister Yumie. Yurie was in the dream too and she was playing with Iris and Sakura, while sitting beside her mother. “Yumie and Yurie” whispered Kiyoshi in shock. “Come play with us in the garden Kiyoshi” said Yumie. “Yes please do uncle Kiyoshi” said Yurie. Then the dream ended. Kiyoshi woke with a start and decided to head home immediately.

          When he arrived at the mansion he asked the servants where Yurie was. “She will be outside sir” answered one of them “she spends all her free time outside with Sentarou”. Kiyoshi had a feeling that she would be in her mother’s garden like in his dream, so he rushed outside. He rushed to the door of the garden, opened it and went into the garden.

          Standing in front of the band stand was Yurie, playing with her doll Sakura, and talking to Sentarou. “Yurie” called Kiyoshi. Yurie and Sentarou stopped talking and looked to who was calling. “Uncle Kiyoshi” said Yurie. Kiyoshi walked over to them. Yurie was afraid that her uncle would be cross with them and lock up the garden again. “Please don’t lock up the garden again” she said, in fear, “I love this garden as much as mother did”. Kiyoshi walked over to Yurie, knelt down in front of her and pulled her into a hug. “Uncle Kiyoshi?” whispered Yurie; she had never been hugged by him before. “It’s all right my niece” Kiyoshi said, stroking her head, “I won’t lock it up again”. “I’m happy to hear that” said a female voice.

          That female voice belonged to Yumie; she appeared to them in her spirit form. “Mother” said Yurie. “Yumie” said Kiyoshi. “I’m happy that my garden is a beautiful place again” said Yumie. “I’m sorry Yumie” said Kiyoshi “I didn’t take care of your garden or Yurie”. “It’s alright Kiyoshi” said Yumie “I’m glad that everything is all right now. Yurie be a good girl for your uncle and continue to take care of the garden”. “Yes mother” said Yurie. Then Yumie disappeared into heaven. Then Kiyoshi pulled Yurie into another hug and held her like there was no tomorrow. Yurie returned the hug, happy that she was finally with her uncle.

          From that day on Kiyoshi spent a lot of happy times with Yurie. Both Yumie’s garden and bedroom were kept unlocked and Kiyoshi and Yurie went into them whenever they wanted to. Yurie gained custody of Iris and she kept her by Sakura’s side; Iris and Sakura were like mother and daughter to her. As for Yumie, she looked down on her daughter and brother from heaven ever after.