“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.
..................................................................................................................
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.
Eternal life is not the blessing it's thought to be, I guess.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't fancy it, though a few less wrinkles would be pleasant!
DeleteI love the magic you have woven into this piece, Liz.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Helen.
DeleteCan't be easy to be the only one who does not age... Well done, Liz.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely a two-edged sword. Even in real life - my mum at 95 has outlived husband, four brothers, and all her friends.
DeleteMy 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.
DeleteGood story, Lizy. I've always thought eternal life would be a curse
ReplyDeletethanks Neil - I agree with you.
Deletegood story in a bewitching way...
ReplyDeleteRandy
Thanks Randy.
DeleteA sad ending. I wonder if she thought it worth it all in the end.
ReplyDeleteProbably not. Thanks for reading.
DeleteWhat a wonderful parable, Liz. So smooth and well-done.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jade, I never thought if it as a parable!
DeleteGood writing! I guess there is a downside to everything.
ReplyDeleteEven eternal youth.
DeleteThank you so much!
ReplyDeleteMagic! Although magic isn't always it's cracked up to be. What a wonderful take on the prompt.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alicia!
DeleteThere's a price for everything. Although, living multiple lifetimes and still dying young, living one lifetime and still dying young, certainly has an appeal.
ReplyDeleteNot sure I'd have the stamina for multiplr lifetimes!
Deletedarn, i guess nothing lasts forever.
ReplyDeleteNo, and outliving ones family and friends would be horrible.
DeleteMatilda should meet Duncan MacLeod and live happily ever after!
ReplyDeleteHowever there can be only one. One would have to lop off the other's head.
DeleteWho's Duncan McCleod?
DeleteDear Liz,
ReplyDeleteImaginative story. I guess eternal youth wasn't all she thought it would be. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle.
DeleteEternal life is not for me! A great take Liz.
ReplyDeleteNot for me either. Thanks Keith.
DeleteShe must have figured it just wasn't worth it any more. Maybe those skeletal trees hid her body :)
ReplyDeleteMaybe they devoured it?
DeleteGuess she knew when she'd had enough. I liked the ending.
ReplyDeleteI also liked the back story on the story writing. Glad you could make time for this tale!
Thank you on both counts.
DeleteAh, the curse of everlasting life! I particularly liked the phrase: her thin lips clamped shut so tightly that her nose met her chin.
ReplyDeleteNice piece of writing, Liz.
Thanks for noticing that phrase, Susan - I was quite pleased with it myself!
DeleteFantastical!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dawn!
Deletefabulous story! Eternal youth isn't all it's cracked up to be after all.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Heidi xx
Thank you so much, Heidi.
DeleteNice story, love the magic in the end.
ReplyDeleteThank you Susanne.
Delete