The Old Witch of the Forest

Part 1.  A lovely Picnic.

The sun shone brightly.  There was not a cloud in the sky.  The singing of many birds could be clearly heard in the spring air.  Richard and his family marched across the green fields towards the stream where they would have a lovely picnic.  Richard had to carry the picnic basket of course; his wife Agnes had cooked the meal after all.  Their two children, Claudia and Jack skipped around their parents, whooping with delight, occasionally stopping to pick a sunflower or two.

            At last they reached the stream.  It wasn’t very deep but the water was clear and fresh.  On the other side was the forest, where the light of day found it hard to breach the dense thickest of broad leaved trees.  Richard’s family laid down their picnic rug at the edge of the stream and munched on their hearty meal.

            When they had finished the kids started to get a little restless.

“Mummy can me and Jack go and play,” said Claudia.  Agnes glanced at Richard.  He had that glitter in his eyes that said something.

“Of course dear, but make sure you don’t cross the stream.  Jack take your sister up the stream but don’t go into the forest,” she said sternly.

“Yes mum.”

“Your father and I want to be alone for a while.”

“Yes mum.”

“Bet you can’t catch me,” squeaked Claudia as she darted up the stream, little legs pumping fast.

“I’ll catch ya Claudi,” and Jack was off after her.

 

So they ran and chased each other, occasionally splashing each other in the stream.  Each time Claudia squealed with delight.  They ran far until their mum and dad were specks in the distance.

“Let’s get some berries, puffed Claudia out of breath from so much running.

“There are no berries out here silly,” said Jack with a knowing smug.

“Mummy always said you can find berries every day of the year.”

“There are berries in the forest.”

Suddenly Claudia was uncertain.  “Mummy said not to go into the forest.”

“What are you afraid of scardy?”

“I’m not afraid.”

“Are too.”

“Are not.”

“Do you want to prove that you’re brave?” teased Jack.

“But, there are boogey monsters in there.”

Jack laughed.  “There’s no such thing as boogey monsters silly.  Come on, I’m going in.”

“Don’t leave me alone,” Claudia squawked.

“Well then come on!”

“Alright.  But I’m telling mummy when we get back.”

            Jack crossed first; the water only reaching midway up his shin as he crossed.  Claudia came a little more hesitantly, the water coming to her knees.  But eventually she crossed.  They had never crossed the stream before.  They had come to the stream many times before, for picnics or just to fetch water, but their parents had always forbidden them to cross.  They never said why.  But Jack had once overheard them talking about what lay on the other side.

“Jack I’m scared.”  She looked like she was about to cry.

“It will be alright Claudi, I’ll protect you.”

“Promise.”

“I promise.  Take my hand.”

 

Part 2.  Into the Forest………..