Wishes (Children’s story)

 In a small cabin in a small forest lived a little girl named Julia. Julia had many sisters, each one more beautiful and arrogant as the last. Though each sister worked, Julia always seemed to work the hardest. Her job was to herd the sheep. The sisters however all had but the same wish. They all wanted to leave the small cabin behind.

 Several wanted to become aristocrats so that they could wear the fanciest of dresses. Some wished to become entertainers of the court so that they could dance and sing all day. A few wanted to explore the world, seeing sites they had never even heard of.

8. But Julia wanted to become a writer. Her dream was to live all by herself in a nice little house filled with books she could read. She hoped a few would be one’s she wrote.

One night as Julia read she heard a sharp cry. Worrying it was one of the sheep Julia called her sisters for help.  A few came out and together they went to investigate the noise. To their relief, the sheep were safe but the crying was still heard.

“Whoever is making that sound they seem to be in pain.” Said the eldest.

“We should help.” Said another.

“It is the right thing to do.” The last one agreed. But Julia was much more cautious.

“Do you not see it could be a trap!” Julia exclaimed. “It is dangerous to go out in the middle of the night!” But her sisters would not listen and they followed the noise. Julia stayed with the sheep.

 It was hours until they returned and they were not alone. A stranger in a long dress with long hair walked amongst them.

“Who are you?” Julia asked in a commanding voice. “What are you doing out here?”

“I could ask you the same.” Said the stranger. Her voice was but a whisper as if the very words would break the girl. Julia put her hands on her hips.

“She was lost.” The eldest sister explained, obviously annoyed with Julia.

“Be polite.” Said another.

“Help us lead her inside.” The last one commanded. Julia was not happy but helped anyway.

The stranger entered the cabin and instantly she changed. Wings fluttered out of her back and she began to glow. Julia stared at the stranger in shock.

“Bring your sisters to me.” The stranger said in her soft voice. Julia could sense something dangerous in her tone. But she was too entranced by the change to say anything. She barely noticed that her sisters left.

 “You are quite a curiosity.” Said the stranger. “To ignore a cry for help is cruel.”

“To cry for help when it is not needed is not exactly a good thing to do either.” Julia replied.

“Fair enough. But which one of us is crueler?” One by one the sisters came in and soon the room was crowded. “Oh my, what a big family!” The stranger laughed. “I heard your many wishes and have come to grant them.” Excitement and joy sprung onto the faces of many.

 “Any wish?” The eldest asked, her voice so full of hope.

“Of course, my dear! But only one per person mind you.” Julia looked to her books, her one true desire buzzing in the back of her mind. The girls began to all talk at once, frantic to have their dreams come true. The stranger laughed a small laugh. “One at a time! One at a time!” She exclaimed in a joyous voice. “I will send each of you off to wherever you wish to be.

"I wish to be an aristocrat living in a castle!” Many of the girls said.

“I wish to be an entertainer for the fanciest of courts!” Some of the sisters pleaded.

“I wish to see the entire world!” A few of the girls replied. Each one was sent off to fulfill their dreams. Soon it was simply Julia and the stranger.

“What is your wish?” The stranger asked, her voice as sweet as candy. Julia stared at the stranger, pondering how to properly word her request.

“I wish that you never granted any of my sisters’ wishes.” Julia said in a sing song voice. The stranger was quiet for a moment. Anger bubbled out of her and Julia could feel the heat of her rage.

“How dare you?” Screamed the stranger, spit flying from her lips.

“You said any wish. That is mine. Now grant it you fool.” Julia demanded. Screaming with hatred burst into flame.When the fire died out, leaving nothing but ash behind, her sisters returned one by one. Many cried in relief. Some collapsed from exhaustion. A few told Julia of the horrible trick the stranger had pulled.

“I was almost married an awful man! No dress in the world is worth that” Said the eldest.

“I was the court’s fool! It was not fun at all!” Said another.

“I have no idea where I was. Only that it was dark and terrifying.” The last one said. Julia was simply happy that they were home. She knew she would fulfill her wish someday, even if she had to do it all by herself.