a magpie fairytale continues

  
This is a response to Willow's latest Magpie Tales visual creative writing prompt.  Visit Magpie Tales to find other fine poets and writers responding to the same prompt.  Give it a try - creative play is good for you!  This story is inspired by a certain puppet.

Hamlet awoke, aching and sluggish. He felt bleary as if he had slept for days and the vividness of that dream left him feeling as if he’d lived it.  Instead though, he attributed his exhaustion to the of mysterious egg object he had stolen the day previous and the tremendous effort it took his tiny limbs to roll the thing from the human cottage to his home in the middle of the wood.  Still draped over his pallet, he admired the thing standing like a sentry at the entrance to his den. 

His thoughts soon drifted back to the dream – he had never had one that felt so lifelike.  From the heightened beating within his chest when he first laid eyes on that shiny glass orb hanging from a tree in a grove near the castle, to the momentum he gained in rolling it back toward his home – Hamlet felt as if he had lived the experience, not dreamt it.

In his dream Hamlet was invincible, acting with swiftness and precision; first climbing the tree and releasing the knot in the net-like hanger that held the orb, then scrambling to the ground, removing the orb from the hanger and rolling it across the open field toward the forest and safety.  The dream was so alive in his mind that the confidence and strength with which he manoeuvred the heist still coursed through him, and certainly that is what compelled him to explore the grove of trees near the castle and see if the orb really did exist.  He had never felt such certainty embarking on any pilfering excursion before.

And then, when he reached the grove of trees at the edge of the castle grounds, there was the orb – just as he saw it in his dream.  With joy he thought of the egg standing sentry at his door and felt certain it cast a magic spell on his dreams.  Greedy now, he thought of the riches and objects he would find in his dreams.

After scanning the landscape to ensure it was free of humans and other creatures, Hamlet scrambled up the tree and just as he did in his dream, he pulled and tugged at the silken knot holding the orb’s hanger to a branch and watched it fall to the ground.  Back on the ground he released the orb from the woven strings and began to roll the thing out of the copse and into the field back toward home.

Halfway across the field, Hamlet froze, sensing eyes on him.  Vulnerable in the open field, he struggled to retain his composure he looked around and saw no movement or sign.  Feeling panic, he rolled the orb as fast as he could to the edge of the wood and nestled it against a tree.  He looked around him again – seeing no visitor but sensing a presence.  Perhaps it is the magic warning me, he thought, and fast as he could, covered the orb with leaves and marked the spot with a seemingly casual arrangement of sticks and flowers.

He crept back to his den under the familiar camouflage of forest undergrowth.  Next day when it was safe he would go back and retrieve his prize from the tree.  He lay down on his pallet and soon slept, tired from the exertion in the two days of thieving.

When Hamlet awoke with the sun, he was not rested but sore and exhausted again, seemingly from the events of his dream.  Enchanted with the dream of the beautiful glass orb hanging in a tree in a copse near the castle, Hamlet had no memory of the same dream the night before or his adventures in finding the glass ball. 

Hamlet was right.  That egg had cast a spell on his dreams.  Only he could not know he would awaken each day devoid of any memory of having dreamt it before or the events of retrieving the object.  And of course no memory of the lurking presence or the hiding of the ball near the tree.

The spell rendered Hamlet like a goldfish, who with no memory finds a new surprise every time it circles to the other side of its bowl.  And thus every day Hamlet awakened having experienced a brand new dream.

Four days later as Hamlet ventured across the field on his fourth venture toward a tree that no longer held the glass ball, a shadowy figure lurked on the edge of the wood watching, thankful for the fairy’s odd repetitive game.  Indeed it was opportunity for capture of a most elusive species.  That travelling human in the caravan on the edge of town would play a handsome price for this little fella.

Comments

[Mike]

ah, a sequel .. nice.

[willow]

Get him, Hamlet!!

This was a such a treat to read, Jennifer.

[Helen]

Oh, it would be nice to have this story continued ~ again. Loved the use of your word 'orb.' It just sounds magical ........... more please!

[Susannah]

These 'Hamlet' stories would make a great childrens fairytale . . . I can picture the illustrations too. :-)

[Jennifer]

Thanks! Been waiting to, but well, the walking stick just didn't work!

[Jennifer]

I hope to do so Helen - thanks for visiting!

[Jennifer]

Thanks Susannah. One of these days I'll get around to posting a picture of the puppet who inspired them!

[sheri]

really interesting, and a read with a view that was unlike any i've had the chance to read today! this was enjoyable, almost playlike in spite of hamlets disturbed sleep and demanding days!

[Catalyst]

Ooohh, a fable! And a darned good one, too, Jennifer!

[LisaB]

I was very pleased with your unique take and creativity. :) I would LOVE to see the puppet!

[Ronda Laveen]

I am new to the "Hamlet" tales it appears. I've thoroughly enjoyed what I've read hear. Hmm, that traveling human sounds intriguing.

[rel]

Jennifer,
I wonder; if that is how one captures a leprechaun. But if he has no memory than the pot-o-gold will stay hidden.
Cute and captivating story.
rel

[Mike]

oh .. a sequel, cool.

[Jennifer]

That's funny - typepad double-posted you Mike! Hmm should I double-respond? Yes. As always - thanks!

[Jennifer]

I suppose the pot of gold may get revealed - depending on the magpie prompts! haha

[Jennifer]

Let's see if Willow's prompts inspire a character! Thanks for visiting Ronda.

[Jennifer]

Thanks Lisa. I'll try and get a picture up...

[Mike]

... or maybe I just circled to the other side of the bowl ... as always, a pleasure.

[Jennifer]

he he!

[Ji]

beautiful tale!
keep shining!

here is mine:
http://jingleyanqiu.wordpress.com/2010/05/04/magpie-tale-the-list-of-magpie-tale-participants/

[Jennifer]

You know, I got halfway to work when went "OH! haha I'm a duh!" Who's the goldfish? Should always have two cups of coffee before reading comments.

[Mike]

ya .. a sequel eh?

(we're all goldfish)

[Jennifer]

;-) Yep, we are.

[Jennifer]

Cool - thanks so much Sheri!

[Jennifer]

Aw, thanks Cat.