One Wish

Maria walked through the forest, lost in melancholy. Sunlight streaked through the trees, bringing no comfort.

The forest path was well worn. Maria had played here as a child, and the children of the town played there now.

A child was the one want in Maria’s life. She had everything else she needed. A nice home, a good job, a husband. He did all he could for her, but he could not give her children. Maria had siblings, all of which had children. Beautiful children, whose existence mocked her. Maria and her husband had tried many times, but every time, nothing. They had seen doctors and the results pointed to him. He had apologised profusely. He promised they would keep on trying. As much as she agreed, she also knew deep down that it would never happen. She would never be a mother. He was an empty vessel, of no use.

She walked deeper into the forest. A pale mist slid like oil across the ground.

Maria suddenly realised that she felt completely alone, standing in the eerie quiet.

Suddenly, a sound came to her across the still air. The sound of chittering laughter. Fear gripped her. She looked, trying to find the source. She turned this way and that, until finally her eyes caught upon the laughing form.

It was a small creature, like a person. It had pointed features, a crooked nose and beady eyes. A thin and pointed beard protruded from its chin, and it wore what looked like a jester’s outfit, but the colours were dark and dirty. It was hanging, monkey-like, from a tree, staring at her.

She felt like running but couldn’t. The little creature dropped lithely to the floor, dancing over to her. It spoke to her, but not with words. Its tiny, musical voice swam around her head. It told her all of what she needed to hear. It spoke words of comfort. It calmed her. And it asked her what she wanted. No, it told her. And told her what she had to do to get it.

A wish. A simple wish. She could wish for whatever she wanted and it would be hers.

But what would she have to give in return?

One simple thing. Something of no use to her. Something easy to give up.

She never spoke the word - the name - but the faerie creature plucked it from her mind, bowed, and in a flash of autumn light, disappeared.

Maria blinked and found herself back to where she started. It was dark, and the lights of the village houses shone like stars. She began to walk back home.

Entering the house, her husband was waiting, He hugged her, a hug she feebly returned. He was talking. Impotent words, promises that everything would be alright. That they would try again. It would be different this time.

Yes, she thought. It would be different this time. A feeling in the back of her mind told her so.

She smiled.