My mum thought they were blessings. She told me the story often enough – the three fairies darting through the window, waving their wands over me. The three blessings:
“May birds always flit about her and fill her days with song”.
“May flowers spring wherever she walks”.
“May her life be filled with laughter”.
See? I know them off by heart. They don’t seem much like blessings to me, though.
I was politely asked to leave school after the first day. Lily says there are still hollyhocks growing where my desk was, and they have to mow the dining hall once a week to keep the daisies down.
Even if I was in school, nobody would want to play with me. It’s those stupid birds, flapping and pooping and standing on people’s heads. It’s OK when it’s blue-tits, not so great when it’s pigeons. And once it was a flock of geese.
Lots of laughter, though. Who wouldn’t laugh at the girl who leaves a trail of honeysuckle up the High Street?
So this is where I come most days. I sit with my feet in the water and watch the water lilies flower and float away, like little boats off on an adventure. It’s quite boring, really. But I have a good view of the road here, and I’m waiting, because one day someone will come – a fairy queen, or a witch in disguise, or a handsome prince. Someone who can lift these stupid spells.
This is for Jane Dougherty’s microfiction challenge. Number 14 – unbelievable. She’s given us this intriguing image, and some words that I’ve chosen to ignore. The picture is Spring by Harald Slott-Moller. I hope it all works out for her.
Brilliant, Sarah! Can’t even find any dangling wotsits. Thanks for writing a piece that made me laugh. My idea was pretty morbid.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad it made you laugh! I stop finding things funny almost as soon as I’ve written them down, so I always feel a bit uncertain about them. High drama is much easier!
LikeLike
It’s less subjective certainly. Humour’s much harder because you know not everyone is going to find it funny.
LikeLike
this is so clever, Sarah 🙂 I like it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this! Captures the facial expression perfectly. (K)
LikeLike
Great response Sarah, yes Magic can be a hassle to some…..love where you took me in this piece…
LikeLike
Pingback: Microfiction challenge Spring: the entries – Jane Dougherty Writes
Fantastically delightful. I relate to this girl in the painting and your story about her. When I was her age, that’s exactly how I felt! (Perhaps no one else saw the birds or the honeysuckle, but I certainly did!). Beautiful writing. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
This made me laugh, too. Great story!
LikeLiked by 1 person