Story 2: The Good Witch and The Witching Glass

It was early in the morning and Isabella was going to the Good Witch's house to help her in the garden. 

She had a few things to grab and she shoved everything she could into her pink backpack and she even made sure to bring a few pieces of her favorite candy to share with the Good Witch. 

Isabella was finally ready to go. The sun was out and the grass was glistening from the dew. Spring was in the air and the field was filled with wildflowers. Isabella picked a couple of flowers and she placed them behind her ear. She entered the forest and she followed the path to the witches cottage. When she got there she didn't see her out front.

"Good Witch are you here?" She asked.

No one answered. She checked the garden and around the house. There wasn't anyone there. She thought that maybe the Good Witch was inside the cottage. So, she walked around to the front. On the door was a note. She grabbed it and It read.

"Dear Isabella, I know I promised you that we were going to work in the garden this morning but something came up. I will be back in a little bit. Please go inside, make yourself at home and help yourself to the milk and cookies."

Isabella headed inside and on the table there was a plate of cookies and a glass of milk. The milk was still cold and the cookies were still warm. She took a sip and then a few bites. Then she noticed there was something else on the table. It was a big wooden hourglass with sparkling white sand inside, it shimmered when she looked at it. She wondered if it was magical. Then she grabbed the hourglass and flipped it upside down. As the sand poured from the otherside it started spinning like a whirlwind. Isabella could see little sparks hitting the glass. She found it mesmerising and then she touched the surface of the hourglass. It shocked her. The room started spinning and she collapsed on the table. When she woke up her head ached. Isabella blinked her eyes several times. Her vision became clear and she wasn't sure where she was anymore. It didn't look like the Good Witch's cottage. Everything was different, everything except the table. 

At first she thought she was dreaming. So, she pinched herself. Isabella wasn't dreaming but her arm was now sore. She got up from the table and noticed the front door was wide open. Isabella was sure that she closed it before. Then she saw something running by. Of course she had to see what it was. She went outside and there was a girl swinging around with a doll in her hands. It had button eyes and red yarn hair. The girl holding the doll was dressed in an old style dress. She had a bonnet covering her hair. Isabella thought something about the girl looked familiar. The girl turned and she finally noticed Isabella.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Isabella." 

"Did you just come out of my house?" The girl asked.

"Yes, but I don't know how I got there."

"Where were you before?"

"I was eating cookies and milk. Then I started messing with the hourglass that was sitting on the table. The next thing I knew. I woke up here. In your house."

The girl looked at Isabella and she noticed she was dressed in strange clothes and that she spoke differently. That's when she figured that Isabella wasn't from here.

"You must be from another time period."

"What do you mean?"

"The thing you messed with wasn't an hourglass. It was a witching glass."

"A witching what?"

"The thing you called an hourglass. I read about it in my mothers' books. It's an hourglass that's been enchanted to control time. This item allows a person to travel between the past, the present, and the future."

"So, am I in the past?"

"Yes."

"What year is it?"

"It's 1592 in the year of our Lord."

Isabella ran back into the cottage. The hourglass was no longer there. She wondered where it went. Then she ran back outside. The girl was confused by Isabella's actions.

"What are you looking for?"

"The hourglass! It was sitting on the table but I couldn't find it."

"I know why you can't find it."

"Why?"

"That's because a witching glass can only exist during the time it is made or enchanted. Therefore the one you used doesn't exist now."

"If it doesn't exist. How am I supposed to get back home?"

"In order for you to get back home. You need to find another witching glass."

"Do you have one?"

"I don't have one but I think my grandfather used to. The only problem is, it doesn't have any sand in it."

"Where can we find it?"

"I think I saw it hanging in the cellar."

"Do you think I can use it? I know I'm a stranger and I don't know your name but can you please help me."

 "Yes, I can help you. My name is Mellony Elmwood but everyone else calls me the Good Witch."

Isabella was shocked. Here she was standing in front of a younger Good Witch. That's why she looked so familiar. 

They went outside to the cellar and they pulled on the iron handle. The big wooden door flopped open and they descended the steps.

"Look Isabella. I think it's over there hanging in the back."

"I see it."

Isabella walked over and pulled the hourglass off the big hook. Then she brought it upstairs. She handed it to Mellony and the two headed into the house. They cleaned it off and placed it on the table.

"Mellony, this hourglass is the same hourglass I had earlier. It even has the same markings."

"That's impossible."

"Why?"

"Because my grandfather died over a hundred years ago. Even then he didn't use it. So, it can't be the same witching glass you had. It's not even enchanted."

"Please believe me. This is the same one."

Melony didn't want to argue about it anymore. She looked toward the front window. Something was on her mind.

"Why are you looking at the window?"

"Well, my mom and my sisters will be back soon."

"What's wrong with that?"

"They're not like you and me."

"What do you mean?"

"They are evil witches. I'm not like them. They think that I am an embarrassment because I'm not wicked. I like who I am. They're okay with me but If they catch you here you'll never make it home."

"Oh."

Mellony opened an old chest and pulled out an old book.

"Let's hurry. This is the book that I read about the witching glass."

Mellony turned the pages and she finally found the passage she was searching for.

"Here it is. Look here. It says that on the night of the blue moon. The moon fairies will appear. If you bow your head and ask with sincerity. They will give you the angels tears. It also says angel tears are known as moon sand."

"So, we have to get the moon sand for the hourglass?"

"Yes, and there's also an enchantment we have to use. Let me see if I can find it.

Mellony read down further and found the spell.

"Past, present, and future. You remain the same. Birth, life, and death are not the things you claim. Let me tip the scales with the sands of time. For the spell is cast like a chime."

"That sounds pretty easy."

"I can remember the spell."

So, when is the next blue moon?"

"I think it's tonight but we got to get you out of here."

"Where can I go?"

 "I know a place. Trust me it's safe."

"Okay."

They walked to a familiar field and went towards the direction of Isabella's house. But there was no house there. There was forest as far as the eye could see.

"My house will be here one day."

"What?"

"In the future it will be here."

"Oh."

"So, where are we going?"

"You will see."

They finally made it. It was a shack in the middle of nowhere. Mellony touched the doorknob and she whispered a few words. Then it lit up inside.

"This is the place where I come to get away from my family. Isabella, I need you to wait here until night. I will come and get you when it's time. Here take the hourglass. "

"Thank you. Here, I have something for you."

Isabella reaches into her backpack and she hands Mellony a few pieces of her favorite candy.

"What is this?"

"It's chocolate candy. I was going to share it with my friend but you're my friend too."

"You think of me as a friend?"

"Of course I do. Don't you think we're friends?"

"I guess but I never had a friend. Aren't you going to get in trouble?" 

"In trouble for what?"

"For giving me this fancy candy. Is everyone in the future rich?"

"No." Isabella laughs.

"I don't see what's funny."

"I'm sorry that I laughed. It's just that chocolate is more accessible in the future."

"Oh, I didn't know. Well, thank you for the candy and I'll see you tonight."

"Okay."

Mellony left the shack and hurried back home. She could feel the presence of her mom and sisters. They probably were already in a bad mood. Mellony made it back home. She could hear things being tossed around.

"Where have you been? Mom is looking for you and she is furious." Her sister said with a smile.

"Mellony Elmwood, where have you been? You lazy sack of potatoes. I told you to have our food ready when we get back home. I also told you to get me some slug worms. What were you doing all day? You probably were just frolicking in the field." 

"Yeah, that's what I was doing. Sorry mom, time got away from me again. I'll have your food ready in a little bit."

"You better. Here girl, clean my shoes. I made them extra stinky for you."

"Yes ma'am."

"Mellony, here's more clothes to clean."

"And mine too."

Both of her sisters dumped their clothes on top of her but Mellony didn't care. This is how they treated her everyday but today they wouldn't be able to get to her. Because she was in a good mood. Hours passed and it was almost night time. She almost finished with her chores. Mellony reached into her apron and pulled out a piece of chocolate. She unwrapped it and popped it into her mouth. It was delicious. Everyone passed out after eating the soup.

It was finally time. Mellony snuck out of the house and she strolled across the field. The moon was almost in position. It was so big that it looked like it was going to touch the ground. Mellony finally made it to the shack. She opened the door and she found Isabella fast asleep.

"Isabella, wake up! It's time to get the moon sand."

Isabella stretched and yawned. 

"Okay, I'm ready."

She grabs the hourglass and they head to the field. The moon was glowing brighter and everything was a bright blue. The moon fairies were everywhere. They were collecting the pollen from the moon flowers. You can see small specks of pollen sprinkling to the ground.

"Isabella, look there's one coming toward us. Just remember to bow your head and speak with sincerity."

Isabella and Mellony knelt down. The fairy stopped in front of them.

"Little human and little witch I see that you honour me. For this I am grateful. If there's anything I can do please ask."

"Great moon fairy we humbly ask if you can share with us some moon sand."

"Of course I can. How much do you need?"

"I just need enough to fill half of this hourglass."

"Is that all? No problem."

The fairy lifted her hand toward the moon. She directed a moon ray down to the hourglass and it filled half way.

"There you go."

"Thank you moon fairy."

"You're welcome. Now I gotta get back to work. Moon pollen doesn't collect itself."

The fairy flew away.

"We got it!" Isabella yelled with excitement.

Mellony closed the lid tightly and they headed back to the shack. They went in and closed the door. Mellony took a piece of chalk from her apron and drew a magical circle on the floor. She placed the hourglass in the center of it. Then she recited the enchantment.

"Past, present, and future. You remain the same. Birth, life, and death are not the things you claim. Let me tip the scales with the sands of time. For the spell is cast like a chime."

The hourglass glowed and the symbols from the circle wrapped around it and then the spell was done. Mellony grabbed it and placed it on the window seal.

"So, what now?" Isabella asked.

"We wait until the morning. Then I will sneak you back into the cottage. My mom and my sisters should be gone at that time."

"Why do we have to wait until tomorrow?"

"Because if we use the witching glass now. There is no telling where you may appear."

"Oh."

"I'll see you in the morning."

"Thank you, Mellony."

"You're welcome."

Mellony returned the next morning after her mother and sisters left. She felt excited for Isabella to go home but she also felt sad. Mellony had finally found a friend but now she had to say goodbye. Isabella could see Mellony approaching from the window. Then she went outside to meet her. They both headed to the other house. Mellony was still nervous. She was worried her mom would come back but her mom was nowhere to be seen.They went inside the cottage and Isabella placed the witching glass on the table.

"Make sure you sit exactly where you were before. Are you ready?"

"Yes. Thank you Mellony for everything. I'm glad I met you. You are a true friend and a very good witch."

"I'm glad I met you too. I hope I'll see you again. Bye Isabella, I'll make sure to put away the witching glass when you leave."

They both cried. Isabella flipped the witching glass and she touched the glass once more. The room spun once again. 

"Wake up Isabella."

Isabella opened her eyes and the Good Witch was standing in front of her.

"Good Witch, your back."

"It's good to see you too. I hope my younger self didn't cause you too much trouble in the past."

"No, you were cool."

"Sorry I couldn't tell you that you were about to go back in time."

"It's okay."

"Thank you for helping me create the witching glass."

"No, thank you. Without it I would have never gotten home."

"I guess that's true. I just want you to know, you were right. The hourglass you used today was the same one you used in the past. I'm sorry I didn't believe you."

"It's okay. Friends fight sometimes."

Isabella hands the Good Witch the last piece of candy. 

"What's this for?" 

"Don't you remember. I said I was going to share it with my friend."

"I do recall that."

The Good Witch smiled and the chocolate brought back all the good memories.