An alternate continuation of the story(i can't remember the title) where the hen found wheat grains and decided to make into a bread(cake in this story).The hen asked for help but the animals(cat,dog,pig,mice) refused,only wanted to 'help' the hen eat the bread in the end.The hen was then supposed to decline the 'help'.
So Hen said to them,
"All of you said that you were busy when i asked for your help but now you want a piece of my cake.Naturally i would not share it.Fortunately however the cake isn't fully completed, thus you all still have a chance to redeem yourselves.Find me the Frozen Strawberry for the topping,and half the cake is yours."
Thus they went on a journey to search for the Frozen Strawberry,a type of berry that only grew in the coldness of the mountain,thus earning its name.
Under the sun walked the 4 creatures with Dog in lead,Cat in tow followed by Pig and Mice at the end of the trail.However Mice was soon tired and could walked no more.
Cat offered a lift in his mouth,which met no approval.It was then decided Mice would sit in Dog's ear.Their journey then continued until they finally arrived at the top of the mountain.
"Look there,it's the berry," pointed Dog,followed closely by Cat and Pig.They were about to take the Frozen strawberry and went back when suddenly out of the ground came a net and swoop all of them up in a pile.
They were surprised to be caught hanging by a net when a man came out of the bush.
"Well,well.I've always heard these berries attract many kinds of animal but I never thought I would catch a dog,let alone with a cat and a pig," said the hunter.
The hunter then brought home the animals along with the Frozen Strawberry,which his wife was to cook the former and made jam out of the latter.While the hunter's wife was heating water in a pot for the jam, Pig was pacing to and fro in the cage they were kept.
"Cat,what should we?What should we do?I don't want to be a sausage.Oh Cat,we must get out of here,we simply must.I think I will slam this cage's door open.Wait,what am I saying?Pigs don't think!I'm slamming the door right now."
Cat tried to stop him when Mice woke up and jumped out of Dog's ear just in time to stop Pig.
"Wait!" said Mice,"I will go and get the keys."
So Mice skimped and searched for the key to the cage,running on the sills when the hunter's wife saw him.
"A mouse!In my house?"
she said before quickly swinging her knife at Mice.Mice avoided just in time,only to accidentally fall into the pot of water.
"Oh no.Cat!We must help Mice.We simply must!I'm breaking this door now," said Pig.Without waiting a reply,he ran.Bam! Pig slammed at the door but it didn't budged.He tried and tried but nothing happened.The hunter came as he heard the noise,so did her wife who was searching for the mouse.
"See what you did Pig,"said Cat, "Now just stay put and take a deep breath.And take your tongue in Dog."
The hunter and his wife approached the cage slowly and saw Dog closing his mouth while Pig was standing still, taking a deep breath.Pig however took a very deep one,too deep that he was soon expanding and pushing Cat and Dog to the side,filling the whole cage which slowly began to lift from the floor.They were soon floating watched by the hunter and his wife who was rather quite stunned,seeing the animals passing by their face,with Cat letting his tail down for the Mice to grab.They continued to float,pass the table where the Frozen Strawberry laid,through the window and out of the house.The wind was kind and they were blown to the farm where Pig finally let go of his breath.The cage fell and broke,spitting the animals as Hen came to them with her chicks behind.
"So I see you have redeemed yourselves.No,I don't want to hear your story Pig," said Hen."Your part of cake is in the barn.Now if you would excuse me,I have to brood."
So the 4 creatures gave the Frozen Strawberry and took their part of cake,eating happily together.And they lived contently and sated for a day after,except for Pig that is.
"Cat,do you think we can asked for a bit more from Hen?Only a bit,not much.Just enough for a bite or two."
"Shut up Pig."
"Alright then."
Monday, May 26, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Stray II
Dedicated to Afiq and Muaz.You can also read the other version of the story,Stray.
Anyhow,you can stop reading when you reach the happy ending.
Disclaimer:The story is fictional and has no reference to real life,especially the name of the 3 Bears.
There was once a boy who had a cat, one that was very playful and funny that it always make the boy happy.
One day, the boy went for a hike in the mountains with his cat in tow.As he passed a giant mulberry tree,the boy tripped over the tree roots and almost fell over the mountain.Upon seeing its master clinging for his life,the cat jumped and pushed his master away from the edge.The cat however, fell into the ravine.
The boy was very sad and burst into tears.Suddenly a man appeared beside the boy and asked,
"Why are you crying boy?"
"I've lost my cat,"said the boy before bursting into another loud wail.
"Now,now,don't be sad.You're cat is still alive,"
"Really?" The boy abruptly stopped crying.
"Actually he is now in the Land of the Bears and I'm afraid he won't be safe there for long.
"But,but it fell into the ravine.How could he,it,be in the Land of the Bears?"
"Your cat fell and landed in the Dark Forest and later was taken by one of the Bears.Now, it is no use of you asking me questions because I am afraid that your cat could be in danger in the hands of the Bears.Now,if you would go now,you could still save him.
The boy's sadness was replaced with bewilderment and incomprehension,trying to understand what the man was saying,while at the same time the man was slowly guiding the boy the edge of the cliff.
"Now,jump."
"Pardon me sir?!"
"If you want to save your cat,you must jump."
"But..but what happens when I fall?What should I..."
The boy left the sentence in mid-air,as he turned around and saw that the man had vanished.
The boy turned back and jumped.
*********
He opened his eyes to find his whole body covered with white,sticky jelly.A pool of them actually and he was right in the middle.Slowly the boy waded the pool and climbed out of it when suddenly he heard a voice.
"Is anyone there?" said the voice.
The boy looked around and saw no one,no one that is except a snail.
"Is anyone there?I'm certain I heard someone.Oh how I wish I could simply see,"said the voice.
It was undoubtedly from the snail,so the boy introduced himself to the snail,in which the snail requested the boy's help.
"I'm afraid I'm in quite a hurry right now.I have to go find and save my cat," declined the boy.
"A cat eh?I heard one a few hours ago,and I could tell you the way to the Land of the Bear,if you would lead me to the nearest mulberry tree," bargained the snail.
The boy considered so he looked around and saw a mulberry tree just a few feet away,thus he agreed to help the snail.Not wasting any time,the boy picked up the snail and was about to take a step forward when a loud screeching scream came from the snail.The boy was so shocked that he let go of the snail immediately,letting it fall to the ground.
Only after a few seconds did the screaming subsided,and the snail spoke,
"Do not ever pull me off the ground again!I said you were to lead me,not to pick me up!Now,slowly walk to the tree and I will follow the sounds of your footsteps."
The boy then followed the snail's bidding but apparently the snail was so slow that even if the boy was to move on his stomach,he would still lead the snail by a mile.In the end it was already dark when the snail finally arrived at the mulberry tree,led by the boy who was waiting patiently.
"Now that I have helped you,will you tell me the way to the Land of the Bears."
The snail yawned and said,"Yes, yes.It is quite easy actually,or so I heard.You just follow the setting sun."
"But the sun has already set!" said the boy the snail.
However the snail was already asleep and only its snores were its reply.The boy was frustrated that he wanted to squashed the snail but stopped.He thus sighed and sat down leaning on the tree forlornly.
"Now i will never find my way to the Land of Bears in time."
Illustration of the snail done by Kiambang.
**********
Suddenly a bug dropped on the boy's shoulder.It was a beetle with a lighted end,just like a firefly,which flashed repeatedly as it flew in front of the boy.
" I know the way to the Land of the Bears," said the bug with a happy voice.
"Really?Can you please tell me then?" asked the boy eagerly.
"Absolutely.Just follow me.By the way my name is Cheerio.I was just sleeping on the tree when i heard your voice,so I came down to see you.In fact it was not the first time.I still remember the first time,and that was when I was still a small beetle,barely changed my skin,still wet behind my pincers,that one day...."
Thus the boy walked through the Dark Forest in the night guided by Cheerio's light and chatters,taking strides after strides,forcing his exhausted body to go on.
"....so suddenly a bird came swooping down.Oh!We're almost there.Just watch out the slippery bank."
The boy was about to ask when suddenly he slipped and slided down the bank,into a flowing river,bobbing up and down,barely able to fight the current.
"They never listen," said Cheerio."Oh well,goodbye then!"
********
The boy was unconscious when Eman the Bear took the boy out of the river.Eman quickly brought the boy home and showed it to his son.
"Look Edin,I found you a doll.You can play it with your cat."
The boy was however still wet so Eman asked his wife Emon to dry it by the fireplace,but Emon being a clumsy bear,accidentally let the boy's shirt caught fire.The boy was then shot wide awake that he screamed out aloud,startling the 3 bears.
"He's alive!"said Emon.
"He's alive?"said Eman.
"What's alive?"asked Edin.
"My master!He's alive!" said the cat as it ran to its master.
The boy finally managed to put out his burning shirt,as he hugged his cat.Edin tried to take the cat back and pulled its by the tail.The poor cat screamed in agony as it was tugged in two directions when suddenly pop! The cat's tail snapped.
The boy quickly took the chance and ran away with his cat.The 3 Bears however was also quick in pursuit riding on their horses.Eeeeee sounded the horses as the Bears cornered the boy at the river.Running out of choices,the boy jumped into the river.However luck was on their side as that moment a tortoise came by and the boy and his cat landed directly on its back,all safe and dry.The Bears just watched from afar angrily,before returning back to their home.
The tortoise took them back to the boy's village,where they lived happily ever after,except sometimes when the cat felt sad having a short tail.
End of happy ending.
********
"Hey father,look here."
A body of a boy was lying on the rocks with its face downwards,or what's left of it, with blood splattered ,as if the boy had fallen from the sky face-flat.
"There's another one there.Only a cat though."
"The boy must have been pushed or something.I wonder what devilry is this."
The end
Anyhow,you can stop reading when you reach the happy ending.
Disclaimer:The story is fictional and has no reference to real life,especially the name of the 3 Bears.
There was once a boy who had a cat, one that was very playful and funny that it always make the boy happy.
One day, the boy went for a hike in the mountains with his cat in tow.As he passed a giant mulberry tree,the boy tripped over the tree roots and almost fell over the mountain.Upon seeing its master clinging for his life,the cat jumped and pushed his master away from the edge.The cat however, fell into the ravine.
The boy was very sad and burst into tears.Suddenly a man appeared beside the boy and asked,
"Why are you crying boy?"
"I've lost my cat,"said the boy before bursting into another loud wail.
"Now,now,don't be sad.You're cat is still alive,"
"Really?" The boy abruptly stopped crying.
"Actually he is now in the Land of the Bears and I'm afraid he won't be safe there for long.
"But,but it fell into the ravine.How could he,it,be in the Land of the Bears?"
"Your cat fell and landed in the Dark Forest and later was taken by one of the Bears.Now, it is no use of you asking me questions because I am afraid that your cat could be in danger in the hands of the Bears.Now,if you would go now,you could still save him.
The boy's sadness was replaced with bewilderment and incomprehension,trying to understand what the man was saying,while at the same time the man was slowly guiding the boy the edge of the cliff.
"Now,jump."
"Pardon me sir?!"
"If you want to save your cat,you must jump."
"But..but what happens when I fall?What should I..."
The boy left the sentence in mid-air,as he turned around and saw that the man had vanished.
The boy turned back and jumped.
*********
He opened his eyes to find his whole body covered with white,sticky jelly.A pool of them actually and he was right in the middle.Slowly the boy waded the pool and climbed out of it when suddenly he heard a voice.
"Is anyone there?" said the voice.
The boy looked around and saw no one,no one that is except a snail.
"Is anyone there?I'm certain I heard someone.Oh how I wish I could simply see,"said the voice.
It was undoubtedly from the snail,so the boy introduced himself to the snail,in which the snail requested the boy's help.
"I'm afraid I'm in quite a hurry right now.I have to go find and save my cat," declined the boy.
"A cat eh?I heard one a few hours ago,and I could tell you the way to the Land of the Bear,if you would lead me to the nearest mulberry tree," bargained the snail.
The boy considered so he looked around and saw a mulberry tree just a few feet away,thus he agreed to help the snail.Not wasting any time,the boy picked up the snail and was about to take a step forward when a loud screeching scream came from the snail.The boy was so shocked that he let go of the snail immediately,letting it fall to the ground.
Only after a few seconds did the screaming subsided,and the snail spoke,
"Do not ever pull me off the ground again!I said you were to lead me,not to pick me up!Now,slowly walk to the tree and I will follow the sounds of your footsteps."
The boy then followed the snail's bidding but apparently the snail was so slow that even if the boy was to move on his stomach,he would still lead the snail by a mile.In the end it was already dark when the snail finally arrived at the mulberry tree,led by the boy who was waiting patiently.
"Now that I have helped you,will you tell me the way to the Land of the Bears."
The snail yawned and said,"Yes, yes.It is quite easy actually,or so I heard.You just follow the setting sun."
"But the sun has already set!" said the boy the snail.
However the snail was already asleep and only its snores were its reply.The boy was frustrated that he wanted to squashed the snail but stopped.He thus sighed and sat down leaning on the tree forlornly.
"Now i will never find my way to the Land of Bears in time."
Illustration of the snail done by Kiambang.
**********
Suddenly a bug dropped on the boy's shoulder.It was a beetle with a lighted end,just like a firefly,which flashed repeatedly as it flew in front of the boy.
" I know the way to the Land of the Bears," said the bug with a happy voice.
"Really?Can you please tell me then?" asked the boy eagerly.
"Absolutely.Just follow me.By the way my name is Cheerio.I was just sleeping on the tree when i heard your voice,so I came down to see you.In fact it was not the first time.I still remember the first time,and that was when I was still a small beetle,barely changed my skin,still wet behind my pincers,that one day...."
Thus the boy walked through the Dark Forest in the night guided by Cheerio's light and chatters,taking strides after strides,forcing his exhausted body to go on.
"....so suddenly a bird came swooping down.Oh!We're almost there.Just watch out the slippery bank."
The boy was about to ask when suddenly he slipped and slided down the bank,into a flowing river,bobbing up and down,barely able to fight the current.
"They never listen," said Cheerio."Oh well,goodbye then!"
********
The boy was unconscious when Eman the Bear took the boy out of the river.Eman quickly brought the boy home and showed it to his son.
"Look Edin,I found you a doll.You can play it with your cat."
The boy was however still wet so Eman asked his wife Emon to dry it by the fireplace,but Emon being a clumsy bear,accidentally let the boy's shirt caught fire.The boy was then shot wide awake that he screamed out aloud,startling the 3 bears.
"He's alive!"said Emon.
"He's alive?"said Eman.
"What's alive?"asked Edin.
"My master!He's alive!" said the cat as it ran to its master.
The boy finally managed to put out his burning shirt,as he hugged his cat.Edin tried to take the cat back and pulled its by the tail.The poor cat screamed in agony as it was tugged in two directions when suddenly pop! The cat's tail snapped.
The boy quickly took the chance and ran away with his cat.The 3 Bears however was also quick in pursuit riding on their horses.Eeeeee sounded the horses as the Bears cornered the boy at the river.Running out of choices,the boy jumped into the river.However luck was on their side as that moment a tortoise came by and the boy and his cat landed directly on its back,all safe and dry.The Bears just watched from afar angrily,before returning back to their home.
The tortoise took them back to the boy's village,where they lived happily ever after,except sometimes when the cat felt sad having a short tail.
End of happy ending.
********
"Hey father,look here."
A body of a boy was lying on the rocks with its face downwards,or what's left of it, with blood splattered ,as if the boy had fallen from the sky face-flat.
"There's another one there.Only a cat though."
"The boy must have been pushed or something.I wonder what devilry is this."
The end
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Rumpelstiltskin
A parody of the Rumpelstiltskin,as requested by Izzati(mon~mon).
Voice:One who wins writes history.
"Dear mister,can you spare me a coin?" the boy asked hopefully.
The man just took a glimpse at the boy before he went back on his way.The boy meanwhile continued begging,asking passersby a dime or so,intending to collect enough coins to buy him something to eat.Perhaps a loaf of bread,perhaps a ring of donuts. He had been on the street since past dawn,but all he could get by noon was 3 pieces of gold coins.It was not enough but he was too hungry.So he ran to the bakery,waited until the baker's wife was on the counter,before running in to buy a loaf of bread.Like any other day,the baker's wife would sell to the boy at a very cheap price.In fact she would have feed the boy gratis,if not for the boy reluctance,afraid to be accused of stealing.So the boy walked away with a loaf of bread everyday,donuts on exceptions.
However that day was different,as the baker was back to the shop early.He spotted the boy walking with a loaf of bread, quickly grabbed the boy by the collar,before shaking the boy roughly that the boy dropped the bread he was about to eat.
"Thief!How dare you put your dirty hands on my breads.Why i would like to feed you to the hounds,if not only for my good heart."
"But I bought them sir.Honest!"
"Oh now you are lying eh?How can you pay?With your lice?"
"No,honestly sir.I bought it.You can ask the the missus."
The baker called for his wife,who came out ascared.By that time a crowd has gathered to watch the boy interrogated.
"It's true.He paid for the bread," she said.
The baker stood dumbfounded,slowly letting the boy go.The crowd began to lose interest and disperse when the baker suddenly said,
"Bring me the money."
His wife showed him the money,before he shouted,
"Aha.You wicked urchin.You tricked my wife.This is not enough to buy a bread."The baker picked up the fallen bread,cut it into halves and gave it to the boy."I pity you,so you can half a half of it.Now go."The boy scurried quickly from the distrustful eyes of the crowd,people continued their work and the baker went back into the bakery before throwing the other half of bread away.
The boy was finally about to eat the bread when someone punched him in the face.A group of children stood in front of him and their leader spoke,
"You stupid.Now everyone hates orphans.All because of you.It would have been better if you stole the bread,instead of making an attraction of yourself."The leader walked to him and took the bread from the boy.
"You want to eat it?"
The boy nodded.
"Then you must do us a favor.Nego here said he saw someone near the bridge.Go asked if he is him."
"You don't mean it's the monster,is it?!No,no,please!I don't want to be eaten."
"Shut up!Do you want the bread or not?"
********
The boy peered over the bridge but he saw no one.He was about to disclose it to the other children when suddenly they shoved him over the bridge.A bush broke his fall , but the boy was paralyzed by fear when a figure started to move from under the bridge,approaching the boy. The group of children watching from above the bridge scampered away as they saw movement below.The boy was left alone,trembling with fear but the figure move as sudden as he appeared back into the shadows of the bridge.The boy was relieved and was about to ran away when his curiosity took the best of him.Slowly he approached the figure,until he saw that it was actually a man,a short man that is.Not more than four feet high.
"Are you..are you Rumpelstiltskin,mister?"the boy suddenly asked.
"So now all the people knows me by this name,is it?"
"Then you are Rumpelstiltskin,aren't you?"
"Sit down and silence your stomach with this sandwich."
The boy suddenly remembered he hadn't eaten all day,so he sat down under the bridge,munching on a sandwich while Rumpelstiltskin told a story.A story about himself.
It all began when a young king came along a road when he heard a cry and saw a baby in a basket lying on the side of the road.The king took the baby home and saved it from frozen to death.Although the baby was deformed,the king raised him well without any trace of disdain.The baby grew up and was named Rupert and only known as Rupert to the king.It was however an open secret that the servants called the boy Rumpelstiltskin behind his presence,as they were afraid that the king would punish them if his Highness was to overhear.Thus everyone would call him Rupert,even the king's newborn son, the prince.
The prince grew up under Rupert's tutelage and later when the king was on his deathbed,his highness asked that Rupert would advise the prince on his way to become a just and loving ruler.The sad Rupert held his promise and the new king reign wisely until one day the new king went for a ride.Then he came upon a road,the same road his father went down years before, and his highness met with a miller.The miller claimed that his daughter could spin gold out of hay,a highly unbelievable story.The new king was interested thus the miller's daughter was shut in a room full of hay and was asked to spun it into gold.Upon the miller's daughter saying that she did not knew how to spin gold,the new king replied,
"You must,or your father will pay."
Upon hearing this she expected the worst would fall upon her father that she began to cry in despair.Rupert who was observing from afar felt sorry for the girl that he begged the new king to let her go,but in vain.Rupert then decided to help the girl by throwing the hay away and replacing them with gold that he obtained from the Royal treasury.The girl was surprised as she woke up and saw the room was full of gold.Moreover the king was perplexed that he moved the miller's daughter into another room full of hay.Again Rupert pleaded for the girl release but also didn't succeed.Thus Rupert helped the girl once more by filling the room with golds.
The next day the king was still surprised,so the miller's daughter was moved to yet another room full of hay.This time however she said,
"If I were to spin all this hay into gold,would it be the last for me?Furthermore i beg Your Highness to grant me a wish."
"If you were to finish it,and that is only if,then I will release you and I will grant you any wish you desire," the king replied.
Alas the miller's daughter had conceived a plan and she knew that Rupert would help her as it would be his pleasure to finally see the girl released.As expected,the next day the room was full of gold and the girl was free to go.She however didn't went back home,not before asking the king to fulfill her wish.
She wished to be queen.
Rupert was all against it but the king agreed thus a grand wedding ensued.
Thus the miller's daughter became queen.
The new queen loved to hold balls and dances, and during these occasions the queen would somehow asked Rupert for favors such as mending the curtains in the Royal room or fixing the broken cellar door.It was soon clear to Rupert that the queen was irked by his presence that he stopped to attend any functions whatsoever.It was also clear that the servants had lose respect,or rather their fear,that they are seen sneering at Rupert even when he is in sight.The final blow came however when the queen had a baby.
The whole kingdom was overjoyed at the newborn baby and so was Rupert.As the baby boy aged three months old,Rupert one day walked into the baby's room to take a glimpse of the him.The baby was fair and comely that Rupert was impelled to take into his arm.Suddenly a scream almost made Rupert drop the baby.Thus Rupert turned around and saw the queen frightened face,who quickly snatched the baby from him.Shortly the king arrived.Before Rupert could say anything,the queen accused him of harming the child,one that he defiantly denied, but the king was not in his right mind,that he said,
"Silence!You ungrateful being.You Rumpelstiltskin."
Never was he disturbed called by that name but that day he felt dejected.So he went away and never to be seen again.
*******
"But didn't you asked the miller's daughter's ring?" asked the boy.
"Actually no,I didn't.It isn't true," Rupert answered.
"Were you..uhm..going to eat the baby?"
"Haha.I'm sure the sandwich you ate taste better.Now that is enough story for you.You better go home now."
"If you don't mind, may I sleep here with you tonight?"
Rupert didn't reply so the boy laid beside him.It was not long before both of them were sound asleep.
Their sleep however was disturbed when a hand suddenly grabbed the boy.Rupert woke up but before he could get up he was knocked on the back.Sprawling on the earth,he looked around and saw a whole crowd of people gathered,an angry mob carrying torches and forks and one of them was holding the boy tightly.
A person from the mob spoke and it was no one else than the baker.
"You monster!You tried to steal the Queen's child and now you tried to steal one of our children?"
"No he didn't.He is a nice person.He didn't..."the boy was cut short.
"Shut up!Bring the child away!"said the baker."Now people,will we let this devil go away for his act?"
No replied the mob in unison.
"Then let us condemn him back to the hell he came from so none of our children would fall victim."
Fueled by their fear by the unknown and unfamiliarity,flamed by their insecurity, the mob began to persecute Rupert.He was kicked down as he tried to get up and when he couldn't get up anymore he was stepped on upon.
Illustration done by Amir Safwan Shuib
Voice:One who wins writes history.
"Dear mister,can you spare me a coin?" the boy asked hopefully.
The man just took a glimpse at the boy before he went back on his way.The boy meanwhile continued begging,asking passersby a dime or so,intending to collect enough coins to buy him something to eat.Perhaps a loaf of bread,perhaps a ring of donuts. He had been on the street since past dawn,but all he could get by noon was 3 pieces of gold coins.It was not enough but he was too hungry.So he ran to the bakery,waited until the baker's wife was on the counter,before running in to buy a loaf of bread.Like any other day,the baker's wife would sell to the boy at a very cheap price.In fact she would have feed the boy gratis,if not for the boy reluctance,afraid to be accused of stealing.So the boy walked away with a loaf of bread everyday,donuts on exceptions.
However that day was different,as the baker was back to the shop early.He spotted the boy walking with a loaf of bread, quickly grabbed the boy by the collar,before shaking the boy roughly that the boy dropped the bread he was about to eat.
"Thief!How dare you put your dirty hands on my breads.Why i would like to feed you to the hounds,if not only for my good heart."
"But I bought them sir.Honest!"
"Oh now you are lying eh?How can you pay?With your lice?"
"No,honestly sir.I bought it.You can ask the the missus."
The baker called for his wife,who came out ascared.By that time a crowd has gathered to watch the boy interrogated.
"It's true.He paid for the bread," she said.
The baker stood dumbfounded,slowly letting the boy go.The crowd began to lose interest and disperse when the baker suddenly said,
"Bring me the money."
His wife showed him the money,before he shouted,
"Aha.You wicked urchin.You tricked my wife.This is not enough to buy a bread."The baker picked up the fallen bread,cut it into halves and gave it to the boy."I pity you,so you can half a half of it.Now go."The boy scurried quickly from the distrustful eyes of the crowd,people continued their work and the baker went back into the bakery before throwing the other half of bread away.
The boy was finally about to eat the bread when someone punched him in the face.A group of children stood in front of him and their leader spoke,
"You stupid.Now everyone hates orphans.All because of you.It would have been better if you stole the bread,instead of making an attraction of yourself."The leader walked to him and took the bread from the boy.
"You want to eat it?"
The boy nodded.
"Then you must do us a favor.Nego here said he saw someone near the bridge.Go asked if he is him."
"You don't mean it's the monster,is it?!No,no,please!I don't want to be eaten."
"Shut up!Do you want the bread or not?"
********
The boy peered over the bridge but he saw no one.He was about to disclose it to the other children when suddenly they shoved him over the bridge.A bush broke his fall , but the boy was paralyzed by fear when a figure started to move from under the bridge,approaching the boy. The group of children watching from above the bridge scampered away as they saw movement below.The boy was left alone,trembling with fear but the figure move as sudden as he appeared back into the shadows of the bridge.The boy was relieved and was about to ran away when his curiosity took the best of him.Slowly he approached the figure,until he saw that it was actually a man,a short man that is.Not more than four feet high.
"Are you..are you Rumpelstiltskin,mister?"the boy suddenly asked.
"So now all the people knows me by this name,is it?"
"Then you are Rumpelstiltskin,aren't you?"
"Sit down and silence your stomach with this sandwich."
The boy suddenly remembered he hadn't eaten all day,so he sat down under the bridge,munching on a sandwich while Rumpelstiltskin told a story.A story about himself.
It all began when a young king came along a road when he heard a cry and saw a baby in a basket lying on the side of the road.The king took the baby home and saved it from frozen to death.Although the baby was deformed,the king raised him well without any trace of disdain.The baby grew up and was named Rupert and only known as Rupert to the king.It was however an open secret that the servants called the boy Rumpelstiltskin behind his presence,as they were afraid that the king would punish them if his Highness was to overhear.Thus everyone would call him Rupert,even the king's newborn son, the prince.
The prince grew up under Rupert's tutelage and later when the king was on his deathbed,his highness asked that Rupert would advise the prince on his way to become a just and loving ruler.The sad Rupert held his promise and the new king reign wisely until one day the new king went for a ride.Then he came upon a road,the same road his father went down years before, and his highness met with a miller.The miller claimed that his daughter could spin gold out of hay,a highly unbelievable story.The new king was interested thus the miller's daughter was shut in a room full of hay and was asked to spun it into gold.Upon the miller's daughter saying that she did not knew how to spin gold,the new king replied,
"You must,or your father will pay."
Upon hearing this she expected the worst would fall upon her father that she began to cry in despair.Rupert who was observing from afar felt sorry for the girl that he begged the new king to let her go,but in vain.Rupert then decided to help the girl by throwing the hay away and replacing them with gold that he obtained from the Royal treasury.The girl was surprised as she woke up and saw the room was full of gold.Moreover the king was perplexed that he moved the miller's daughter into another room full of hay.Again Rupert pleaded for the girl release but also didn't succeed.Thus Rupert helped the girl once more by filling the room with golds.
The next day the king was still surprised,so the miller's daughter was moved to yet another room full of hay.This time however she said,
"If I were to spin all this hay into gold,would it be the last for me?Furthermore i beg Your Highness to grant me a wish."
"If you were to finish it,and that is only if,then I will release you and I will grant you any wish you desire," the king replied.
Alas the miller's daughter had conceived a plan and she knew that Rupert would help her as it would be his pleasure to finally see the girl released.As expected,the next day the room was full of gold and the girl was free to go.She however didn't went back home,not before asking the king to fulfill her wish.
She wished to be queen.
Rupert was all against it but the king agreed thus a grand wedding ensued.
Thus the miller's daughter became queen.
The new queen loved to hold balls and dances, and during these occasions the queen would somehow asked Rupert for favors such as mending the curtains in the Royal room or fixing the broken cellar door.It was soon clear to Rupert that the queen was irked by his presence that he stopped to attend any functions whatsoever.It was also clear that the servants had lose respect,or rather their fear,that they are seen sneering at Rupert even when he is in sight.The final blow came however when the queen had a baby.
The whole kingdom was overjoyed at the newborn baby and so was Rupert.As the baby boy aged three months old,Rupert one day walked into the baby's room to take a glimpse of the him.The baby was fair and comely that Rupert was impelled to take into his arm.Suddenly a scream almost made Rupert drop the baby.Thus Rupert turned around and saw the queen frightened face,who quickly snatched the baby from him.Shortly the king arrived.Before Rupert could say anything,the queen accused him of harming the child,one that he defiantly denied, but the king was not in his right mind,that he said,
"Silence!You ungrateful being.You Rumpelstiltskin."
Never was he disturbed called by that name but that day he felt dejected.So he went away and never to be seen again.
*******
"But didn't you asked the miller's daughter's ring?" asked the boy.
"Actually no,I didn't.It isn't true," Rupert answered.
"Were you..uhm..going to eat the baby?"
"Haha.I'm sure the sandwich you ate taste better.Now that is enough story for you.You better go home now."
"If you don't mind, may I sleep here with you tonight?"
Rupert didn't reply so the boy laid beside him.It was not long before both of them were sound asleep.
Their sleep however was disturbed when a hand suddenly grabbed the boy.Rupert woke up but before he could get up he was knocked on the back.Sprawling on the earth,he looked around and saw a whole crowd of people gathered,an angry mob carrying torches and forks and one of them was holding the boy tightly.
A person from the mob spoke and it was no one else than the baker.
"You monster!You tried to steal the Queen's child and now you tried to steal one of our children?"
"No he didn't.He is a nice person.He didn't..."the boy was cut short.
"Shut up!Bring the child away!"said the baker."Now people,will we let this devil go away for his act?"
No replied the mob in unison.
"Then let us condemn him back to the hell he came from so none of our children would fall victim."
Fueled by their fear by the unknown and unfamiliarity,flamed by their insecurity, the mob began to persecute Rupert.He was kicked down as he tried to get up and when he couldn't get up anymore he was stepped on upon.
Rumpelstiltskin in his rage drove his right foot so far into the ground that it sank in up to his waist; then in a passion he seized the left foot with both hands and tore himself in two.The End.
Illustration done by Amir Safwan Shuib
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Stray
I've written this a while ago, but only after watching Oz last night that i decided to dig it up back and type it 'down'.By the by,this is not a request.
Once upon a time there was a boy who had a cat, a cat that was very playful and funny that it always make the boy happy.
One day, the boy went for a hike in the mountains with his cat in tow.As he passed a giant mulberry tree,the boy tripped over tree roots and almost fell over the mountain.Upon seeing its master in calamity,the cat jumped and pushed his master away from the edge.The cat however, fell into the ravine.
The boy was sad and cried on his way down the mountains.His tears and sobs were so loud that it woke up an old man who was sleeping under the mulberry tree.
The boy was surprised,as he didn't notice the old man before.
The color however reminded the boy of his cat,making him sad again.He was on the verge of crying when the man asked,
The boy just nodded.Thus slowly the old man pull off the hat that he was wearing,a black pointy one,and put it on the boy's head.True to his words,the boy didn't feel sad anymore,so he started on his way home.
Along the way he met with Farmer Bauer.
Farmer Bauer felt sorry for the boy,so he invited the boy to tea,serving him the best cornbread and honey that the Farmer had.The boy ate silently,thanked the farmer impersonally and was soon on his way home.All the while the boy was sucking a barley mint,a present from the Farmer Bauer.
As the boy crossed the bridge,he met Lukas,the city jester.
Lukas pitied the boy so he presented his puppet show,the most famous in the city.The boy watched silently,thanked Lukas in return and was soon on his way home again.
Walking around the street corner,the boy passed Ian the cobbler.
Ian also felt sorry for the boy,that he decided to give the boy a new pair of shoes,one that was fit for a prince,with its tapered sides and silk lining.The boy wore them perfunctorily,thanked Ian the cobbler, and the boy was soon right on his way home.
Along the way the boy also met Shopkeeper Grouch,Carpenter Woody and Tailor Tim,who all felt sorry for the boy.Thus they all accordingly gave him a bags of the best licorice,a new and shiny wooden flute, and a magnificent coat.
The boy thanked all of them perfunctorily and continued on his journey home,steadily carrying all the presents and gifts.
The boy was apparently no longer sad,but he wasn't happy either.
As he arrived home,his mother asked,
So his mother gave him a new cat,to be exact still a kitten.The cat was with black spots,a very clumsy but adorable one,one that would to be to the liking of anyone that happen to fall eyes on it.The boy thanked his mother and later went for a walk with his new pet.
After a while they came upon the mulberry tree on the mountain when suddenly his pet clumsily and almost fell over.The boy bent over the edge to grab his cat.
The boy managed to save the cat but all of his presents and gifts fell over.His flute and shoes,coats and sweets,all fell over,followed lastly by the hat.The boy suddenly felt all the sadness came rushing back to him.
The boy sat there,feeling greatly sad upon losing his presents,devastatingly sad of losing his black cat, but the most sad of not being to be happy.
The End.
Illustration done by Amir Safwan Shuib
Once upon a time there was a boy who had a cat, a cat that was very playful and funny that it always make the boy happy.
One day, the boy went for a hike in the mountains with his cat in tow.As he passed a giant mulberry tree,the boy tripped over tree roots and almost fell over the mountain.Upon seeing its master in calamity,the cat jumped and pushed his master away from the edge.The cat however, fell into the ravine.
The boy was sad and cried on his way down the mountains.His tears and sobs were so loud that it woke up an old man who was sleeping under the mulberry tree.
"Why are you crying boy?"Asked the old man.
The boy was surprised,as he didn't notice the old man before.
"I am sad," he managed to answer between his sobs.The boy had actually stopped crying as he was perplexed by the appearance of the old man.His clothes changed from brown,the color of the bark, into black velvet, the color of the dark sky at night.
"Why are you sad then?"
"My cat fell over," he said pointing to the ravine.
The color however reminded the boy of his cat,making him sad again.He was on the verge of crying when the man asked,
"Would you like to never feel sad again?"
The boy just nodded.Thus slowly the old man pull off the hat that he was wearing,a black pointy one,and put it on the boy's head.True to his words,the boy didn't feel sad anymore,so he started on his way home.
Along the way he met with Farmer Bauer.
"What happened to your cat,boy?"asked Farmer Bauer.
"It fell into the ravine,"said the boy.
Farmer Bauer felt sorry for the boy,so he invited the boy to tea,serving him the best cornbread and honey that the Farmer had.The boy ate silently,thanked the farmer impersonally and was soon on his way home.All the while the boy was sucking a barley mint,a present from the Farmer Bauer.
As the boy crossed the bridge,he met Lukas,the city jester.
"What happened to your cat,boy?" asked the Lukas.
"It fell into the ravine," said the boy.
Lukas pitied the boy so he presented his puppet show,the most famous in the city.The boy watched silently,thanked Lukas in return and was soon on his way home again.
Walking around the street corner,the boy passed Ian the cobbler.
"What happened to your cat,boy?" asked Ian.
"It fell into the ravine," said the boy.
Ian also felt sorry for the boy,that he decided to give the boy a new pair of shoes,one that was fit for a prince,with its tapered sides and silk lining.The boy wore them perfunctorily,thanked Ian the cobbler, and the boy was soon right on his way home.
Along the way the boy also met Shopkeeper Grouch,Carpenter Woody and Tailor Tim,who all felt sorry for the boy.Thus they all accordingly gave him a bags of the best licorice,a new and shiny wooden flute, and a magnificent coat.
The boy thanked all of them perfunctorily and continued on his journey home,steadily carrying all the presents and gifts.
The boy was apparently no longer sad,but he wasn't happy either.
As he arrived home,his mother asked,
"What happened to your cat,son?"
"It fell into the ravine," he replied.
So his mother gave him a new cat,to be exact still a kitten.The cat was with black spots,a very clumsy but adorable one,one that would to be to the liking of anyone that happen to fall eyes on it.The boy thanked his mother and later went for a walk with his new pet.
After a while they came upon the mulberry tree on the mountain when suddenly his pet clumsily and almost fell over.The boy bent over the edge to grab his cat.
The boy managed to save the cat but all of his presents and gifts fell over.His flute and shoes,coats and sweets,all fell over,followed lastly by the hat.The boy suddenly felt all the sadness came rushing back to him.
The boy sat there,feeling greatly sad upon losing his presents,devastatingly sad of losing his black cat, but the most sad of not being to be happy.
The End.
Illustration done by Amir Safwan Shuib
Friday, May 2, 2008
Dream on Beauty!
This is one of the alternate ending for the story Sleeping Aurora.Read the main story first,if you came to this by accident.
So the princess pondered everyday how to be with the man of her choice,that one day she decided to tell the Queen about the stable-boy.
The Queen was so appalled upon hearing the princess' story and strictly commanded her to behave properly and forget the stable-boy completely.The princess however couldn't bear it,thus she cried her heart out.
Suddenly a fairy godmother appeared and spoke,
"Why are you crying princess?"she asked.
"Oh godmother!Please help me.Oh! do help me," pleaded the princess.
"Dear princess.I've helped you before,but it's beyond me this time," replied the fairy.
And the princess cried hopelessly,mourning the days till her birthday.
The princess´ birthday finally arrived.
The whole castle inhabitants was full with excitement and anticipation as everyone was waiting for the engagement.Everyone except the princess,who walked heavy-heartedly down from her room,covering her face with a veil as it was the engagement tradition.Sadly and slowly she walked into the room when suddenly poof! Smoke filled the room and from the smoke rose the fairy godmother,before waving her wand and chanting.
"She will have beauty and courage,
wisdom and knowledge,
but most of all she she will be just and happy
to the end of her life."
The crowd cheered at the wish,toasting to the princess' health before suddenly smoke filled the room once more and so did another fairy appeared, a dark,ugly fairy this time.Enraged at being not invited to the betrothment,the dark fairy cursed everyone to their death.
"Die as you watch me,
for you all before ignored me."
However the fairy godmother intervened and the whole castle was instead put under a slumber sleep.One that was woken when a prince came into the castle and kissed the sleeping princess.The princess opened her eyes and to her delightful surprise,the prince was the stable-boy whom she fell in love with.The rest of castle woke up and the betrothment proceeded as planned.Not long after the princess was married and she live happily ever after.
Everyone of them.
Even the dark fairy.
******
"so it's me who always does the dirty work eh?"
"calm down sister.I promise you,the next time you can be the fairy godmother."
"fair enough i guess.by the by,what happened to the real prince?"
"oh he just left,seeing all the people sleeping"
"aha!anyway nice apparel you found for the horse-boy"
"it's stable-boy.and I thank you for the compliment"
The End
So the princess pondered everyday how to be with the man of her choice,that one day she decided to tell the Queen about the stable-boy.
The Queen was so appalled upon hearing the princess' story and strictly commanded her to behave properly and forget the stable-boy completely.The princess however couldn't bear it,thus she cried her heart out.
Suddenly a fairy godmother appeared and spoke,
"Why are you crying princess?"she asked.
"Oh godmother!Please help me.Oh! do help me," pleaded the princess.
"Dear princess.I've helped you before,but it's beyond me this time," replied the fairy.
And the princess cried hopelessly,mourning the days till her birthday.
The princess´ birthday finally arrived.
The whole castle inhabitants was full with excitement and anticipation as everyone was waiting for the engagement.Everyone except the princess,who walked heavy-heartedly down from her room,covering her face with a veil as it was the engagement tradition.Sadly and slowly she walked into the room when suddenly poof! Smoke filled the room and from the smoke rose the fairy godmother,before waving her wand and chanting.
"She will have beauty and courage,
wisdom and knowledge,
but most of all she she will be just and happy
to the end of her life."
The crowd cheered at the wish,toasting to the princess' health before suddenly smoke filled the room once more and so did another fairy appeared, a dark,ugly fairy this time.Enraged at being not invited to the betrothment,the dark fairy cursed everyone to their death.
"Die as you watch me,
for you all before ignored me."
However the fairy godmother intervened and the whole castle was instead put under a slumber sleep.One that was woken when a prince came into the castle and kissed the sleeping princess.The princess opened her eyes and to her delightful surprise,the prince was the stable-boy whom she fell in love with.The rest of castle woke up and the betrothment proceeded as planned.Not long after the princess was married and she live happily ever after.
Everyone of them.
Even the dark fairy.
******
"so it's me who always does the dirty work eh?"
"calm down sister.I promise you,the next time you can be the fairy godmother."
"fair enough i guess.by the by,what happened to the real prince?"
"oh he just left,seeing all the people sleeping"
"aha!anyway nice apparel you found for the horse-boy"
"it's stable-boy.and I thank you for the compliment"
The End
Wake up Beauty!
This is one of the alternate ending for the story Sleeping Aurora.Read the main story first,if you came to this by accident.
The princess´ birthday finally arrived.
There was such joy and excitement in the castle,as people were bustling about,perfecting the last minute details for the princess' birthday party and betrothment. The princess then descended from her room,covering her face with a veil as it was the tradition.As the betrothment commence and the Prince was to unveil the princess,when suddenly poof!Smoke filled the room and from the smoke rose fairies,three of them.Swaying their wands in unison,they chanted spells in chorus.
The first fairy wished, "She will have wisdom."
The second fairy wished, "She will have beauty."
The last fairy wished, " She will have wealth."
The last fairy then requested a toast to the princess.Everyone was spellbound by the fairies appearance, but as soon as they drank their toast another fairy appeared.A dark,ugly fairy.
"How dare you all didn't invite me to this.For this you shall all perish!And I will turn the princess into a maid," she said.
"No you shall not kill them.Instead they will sleep a long, undisturbed sleep,"the three fairies replied,but their voice was not heard as everyone in the hall had fell asleep.
The whole hall woke from their deep,slumber sleep a few hours later,puzzled and confused.Still the party proceeded and the princess was unveiled,revealing the princess' maid instead in her place.However no one said anything,remembering what the dark fairy had done.Thus the 'princess' was betrothed and a few months later was married.Years later the 'princess' became the Queen,helping the King to rule the land with wisdom,gaining wealth and never even to her late age did her beauty fade.
The real princess however had eloped with the stable-boy and lived a quiet, wonderful life.
They live happily ever after.
Everyone did.
Even the actors.
They became well known for their "Magical sleeping potion" and arrays of fancy fairy costume.
The End
So the princess pondered everyday,mulling ways of how to be with the man of her choice.One day as she was sitting at the window, she heard a loud commotion in the castle hall.Later she discovered that a group of actors in caravans had arrived and is promoting their show.The princess was then struck by an idea,before conceiving a plan to fulfill her heart desire.
The princess´ birthday finally arrived.
There was such joy and excitement in the castle,as people were bustling about,perfecting the last minute details for the princess' birthday party and betrothment. The princess then descended from her room,covering her face with a veil as it was the tradition.As the betrothment commence and the Prince was to unveil the princess,when suddenly poof!Smoke filled the room and from the smoke rose fairies,three of them.Swaying their wands in unison,they chanted spells in chorus.
The first fairy wished, "She will have wisdom."
The second fairy wished, "She will have beauty."
The last fairy wished, " She will have wealth."
The last fairy then requested a toast to the princess.Everyone was spellbound by the fairies appearance, but as soon as they drank their toast another fairy appeared.A dark,ugly fairy.
"How dare you all didn't invite me to this.For this you shall all perish!And I will turn the princess into a maid," she said.
"No you shall not kill them.Instead they will sleep a long, undisturbed sleep,"the three fairies replied,but their voice was not heard as everyone in the hall had fell asleep.
The whole hall woke from their deep,slumber sleep a few hours later,puzzled and confused.Still the party proceeded and the princess was unveiled,revealing the princess' maid instead in her place.However no one said anything,remembering what the dark fairy had done.Thus the 'princess' was betrothed and a few months later was married.Years later the 'princess' became the Queen,helping the King to rule the land with wisdom,gaining wealth and never even to her late age did her beauty fade.
The real princess however had eloped with the stable-boy and lived a quiet, wonderful life.
They live happily ever after.
Everyone did.
Even the actors.
They became well known for their "Magical sleeping potion" and arrays of fancy fairy costume.
The End
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Sleeping Aurora
An alternate story to Sleeping beauty with alternate ending,as requested by Azra Atiqka.
In a kingdom far away lived the Queen and King without a child, until one day the Queen bore a baby girl.On the same day another girl was born,a child to the Royal cook. Both children grew up separately but at the age of seven,the cook's daughter was made personal maid for the princess, and later they became good friends. Years pass by as they grew up beautifully and appeared frighteningly similar to each other day by day,up until the point the Royal subject could never tell them apart except for their garments. Everyone noticed the resemblances,though no one ever said it aloud.
The princess would sometimes take advantage of this,such that she would persuade her maid to take her place for lessons.The maid would always decline,fearing for her life.The princess however was a very persuasive and stubborn girl and would always get her way.In the end the maid would sit trembling,bearing herself to sit through the etiquette and various lessons, all the while wishing no one would discover the princess' stratagem.Meanwhile the princess would take a stroll,sometimes outside the castle,but mostly in the park.
Thus it happened in one of her amble,she heard a very beautiful voice singing in the park.As she came around the bush, she saw the owner of the mesmerizing voice,a boy,who was tugging along a gentle old horse.
"Who are you?" asked the princess.
Quite surprised at the sight of a pretty young lady,the boy took a few seconds before replying.
"I am the stable-boy.And may i ask who are you?"he asked in reply.
Instead of answering,the princess however turned around and ran in the direction of the castle,leaving the stable-boy perplexed and wondering to himself.
As soon as the lessons were finished,the princess quickly relate to her friend,the maid, about her meeting with the stable-boy.It was then decided that the maid was to convey the princess' message to the stable-boy.The boy received the message gladly,pleased that he was to meet her again.Date was set and rendezvous took place.Then it was not long before the princess and the stable-boy fell in love with each other.
However it was also not long before the princess' 17th birthday,in which she was to be betrothed to a prince from a neighboring kingdom.This prospect was not so enlightening to her as before, as she had fallen for someone else.
The story now diverges into two endings.Choose any ending you may.
the first ending-Wake up Beauty!
the second ending-Dream on Beauty!
In a kingdom far away lived the Queen and King without a child, until one day the Queen bore a baby girl.On the same day another girl was born,a child to the Royal cook. Both children grew up separately but at the age of seven,the cook's daughter was made personal maid for the princess, and later they became good friends. Years pass by as they grew up beautifully and appeared frighteningly similar to each other day by day,up until the point the Royal subject could never tell them apart except for their garments. Everyone noticed the resemblances,though no one ever said it aloud.
The princess would sometimes take advantage of this,such that she would persuade her maid to take her place for lessons.The maid would always decline,fearing for her life.The princess however was a very persuasive and stubborn girl and would always get her way.In the end the maid would sit trembling,bearing herself to sit through the etiquette and various lessons, all the while wishing no one would discover the princess' stratagem.Meanwhile the princess would take a stroll,sometimes outside the castle,but mostly in the park.
Thus it happened in one of her amble,she heard a very beautiful voice singing in the park.As she came around the bush, she saw the owner of the mesmerizing voice,a boy,who was tugging along a gentle old horse.
"Who are you?" asked the princess.
Quite surprised at the sight of a pretty young lady,the boy took a few seconds before replying.
"I am the stable-boy.And may i ask who are you?"he asked in reply.
Instead of answering,the princess however turned around and ran in the direction of the castle,leaving the stable-boy perplexed and wondering to himself.
As soon as the lessons were finished,the princess quickly relate to her friend,the maid, about her meeting with the stable-boy.It was then decided that the maid was to convey the princess' message to the stable-boy.The boy received the message gladly,pleased that he was to meet her again.Date was set and rendezvous took place.Then it was not long before the princess and the stable-boy fell in love with each other.
However it was also not long before the princess' 17th birthday,in which she was to be betrothed to a prince from a neighboring kingdom.This prospect was not so enlightening to her as before, as she had fallen for someone else.
The story now diverges into two endings.Choose any ending you may.
the first ending-Wake up Beauty!
the second ending-Dream on Beauty!
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