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11.3.20

FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH


“Hidden in the forest,” was all the witch would say, before her thin lips clamped shut so tightly that her nose met her chin. But Matilda was determined to retain her beauty, and searched obsessively until, one dark winter day, the skeletal trees revealed their secret.

She drank deeply each full moon, and as the years passed she remained unchanged. Her children grew and had children of their own, but Matilda outlived them all.

Finally, alone, and shunned by superstitious villagers, she made one last trip to the fountain.  They never found her body.
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C E Ayr's photo gave me an idea for a story immediately, but I had to go shopping first. Luckily the story stayed in my mind till I got home and put the dinner in the oven. Now I must hurry to post this before it burns!
If you'd like to read other stories, go to Rochelle's blog and follow the froggy link. https://rochellewisoff.com/
And if you're stock-piling for a possible spell in self-isolation, don't forget to buy books! I have four books on Amason now - the latest, LANDSLIDE, you can get simply by clicking on the image at the top right of my blog. The first two in my  LIVING ROCK series are A VOLCANIC RACE & WOLF PACK, or there's my historical novel HELTER-SKELTER.

43 comments:

  1. Eternal life is not the blessing it's thought to be, I guess.

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    1. I wouldn't fancy it, though a few less wrinkles would be pleasant!

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  2. I love the magic you have woven into this piece, Liz.

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  3. Can't be easy to be the only one who does not age... Well done, Liz.

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    1. It's definitely a two-edged sword. Even in real life - my mum at 95 has outlived husband, four brothers, and all her friends.

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    2. My brother-in-law's grandmother lived to 101, lamenting for the Lord to take her away already as she had lost all her family members... well, besides the younger generation, of course.

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  4. Good story, Lizy. I've always thought eternal life would be a curse

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  5. good story in a bewitching way...
    Randy

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  6. A sad ending. I wonder if she thought it worth it all in the end.

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  7. What a wonderful parable, Liz. So smooth and well-done.

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    1. Thanks Jade, I never thought if it as a parable!

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  8. Good writing! I guess there is a downside to everything.

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  9. Magic! Although magic isn't always it's cracked up to be. What a wonderful take on the prompt.

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  10. There's a price for everything. Although, living multiple lifetimes and still dying young, living one lifetime and still dying young, certainly has an appeal.

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    1. Not sure I'd have the stamina for multiplr lifetimes!

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  11. darn, i guess nothing lasts forever.

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    1. No, and outliving ones family and friends would be horrible.

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  12. Matilda should meet Duncan MacLeod and live happily ever after!

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    1. However there can be only one. One would have to lop off the other's head.

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  13. Dear Liz,

    Imaginative story. I guess eternal youth wasn't all she thought it would be. Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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  14. Eternal life is not for me! A great take Liz.

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  15. She must have figured it just wasn't worth it any more. Maybe those skeletal trees hid her body :)

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  16. Guess she knew when she'd had enough. I liked the ending.
    I also liked the back story on the story writing. Glad you could make time for this tale!

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  17. Ah, the curse of everlasting life! I particularly liked the phrase: her thin lips clamped shut so tightly that her nose met her chin.
    Nice piece of writing, Liz.

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    1. Thanks for noticing that phrase, Susan - I was quite pleased with it myself!

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  18. fabulous story! Eternal youth isn't all it's cracked up to be after all.
    Hugs, Heidi xx

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  19. Nice story, love the magic in the end.

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