Time passed under the willow. The weather witch did not return and the stone goblin, believed by the villagers to be a sleeping gnome, was still propped against its trunk. Over time, dogs and cats sniffed at him, robins perched on his head, but no magpies visited. He soon disappeared beneath a clump of brambles and nettles.
The willow tree grew stronger and taller, with thick branches and lush green leaves. The village cricket team put in a request for bats to be made from its wood, with which they won all their matches, and anyone who napped under the willow’s green dome had pleasant dreams. Stories began to circulate about the power of the willow tree.
One day, a removal van trundled down the road towards the only cottage with a view of the willow. It had been vacant for a long time. Soon renovation work began, and the new owner removed the weeds in the front garden and planted herbs and brightly coloured flowers in their place.
She was an unusual woman. Her long hair was woven into a plait, which hung all the way to her ankles. Her periwinkle eyes sparkled and observed everything that happened in the village. Her skirts were long and swishy, raising dust and leaves as she walked, and her fingers were covered with silver rings embedded with jade, jasper and amber. The villagers wondered who she was. It didn’t take long for them to find out.
Her name was Willa. She let that slip in the village shop. Soon everyone found an excuse to watch her under the willow tree as she removed nettles and brambles from the sleeping gnome, washed him with rainwater and scrubbed off the dust and moss that had accumulated on his body. Children were drawn to her quiet singing in a soprano voice, and an unknown language.
She asked the shopkeeper why there were so many species of birds but no magpies in the village. The shopkeeper was only too pleased to tell her how the weather witch struck the magpie with lightning.
“I will rectify the situation as soon as possible,” said Willa. “But first I must ask the willow for one of its branches.”
Kim M. Russell, 10th May 2020
369 words of prose for Poets and Storytellers United Writers’ Pantry
As readers wanted more of this story, here is another episode, which I wrote during last Tuesday’s ‘Shut Up and Write’ on-line session from the Norfolk Library and Information Service and the American Library in Norwich.
Oh, I’m so delighted that there is more to this tale, and obviously more again to come. 🙂 The gnome in your image is adorable!
(Um, do you mean her hair was in a plait?)
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Thank you, Rosemary! I checked my Word file, which definitely says ‘plait’ but on WordPress the ‘p’ is missing! It wouldn’t let me change the size of the image either. I think WordPress has a mind of its own, just like my Kindle! 🙂
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We have another bigger sleeping gnome, but this one is my favourite!
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I will look out for more of this story. It is very engaging. That gnome sonds very interesting indeed.
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Thank you, Suzanne!
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oh such a delightful story and so descriptive that it comes alive. That Willa is an intriguing lady love to learn more about her.
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Thank you, Marja. I’m getting to know her too!
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Enjoying these tales. Look forward to more.
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Thank you, Anthony!
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My goodness this is good! 😀 I love the vivid imagery especially; “Her skirts were long and swishy, raising dust and leaves as she walked, and her fingers were covered with silver rings embedded with jade, jasper and amber.” It’s so wonderful to read more of this story, Kim! 💝💝
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Thank you so much, Sanaa! Come back next week for more! 😊
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I definitely will! 😀
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🙂
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What a delight to read this beautiful short story about Willa and her relationship with the natural world.
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Thank you, Robin! Tune in next week to see what happens!
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I looked for a link for the follow up! Looking forward to it.
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Thank you! There will be another episode next Sunday. 😊
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Thanks!
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❤
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😊
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What is she going to do with the branch, i have to come back to read more
Happy Sunday Kim
Much💜love
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Thank you, Gillena! Happy Sunday! ❤
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Ooooh! I can’t wait to see exactly how the branch will be used. You, cliffhanger queen you!
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🤓
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I hope this is on its way to becoming a children’s book. I can see the illustrations already!
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Thank you, Bev! I’m not sure what’s going to happen with it yet. I submitted a children’s picture book, text only, last year but have no heard anything. I need an illustrator.
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I like this a lot, Kim. I’m thinking it will end up being a children’s book or booklet. Please keep posting of the write. We had a nice willow tree in our front yard where we previously lived. Vandels cam and cut it down with an electric saw, the trunk was over three inches in diameter. We let it grow up from the roots and stump, it did quite well. Our library has opened but we cannot come in. We order our book by phone and it will be delivered to the trunk of our car.
Cheers, Stay Safe,
..
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Thank you, Jim,. I’m so sorry about your tree. Were you away when it happened? Our libraries are still closed, but doing a lot on-line. Stay safe and well.
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Where did the gnome go? Into the willow tree? What will she do with that branch.
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Ah, you have to wait and see!
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Aah you leave us hanging and wanting more!
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Another one next week!
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Oh my! this was a fairy tale indeed. I’ve known some trees like that in my childhood. Your poem takes me back to it with fondness and tranquil. thanks!
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Thank you for reading and commenting!
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These willow tales. Haunting and mesmerizing at the same time.
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There’s one more to come, Joel, which I’ll be starting later today.
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Oh, I love this story and that gnome is adorable. Yes, so glad there is more to the story.
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Thank you, Susie!
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