The Witch And The Mountain.

“Once upon a time there stood a mountain that never died, and on that mountain lived a witch, together the mountain and the witch kept the mountain fruitful and green. The witch and the mountain worked together to keep the perfect balance of rain and sunshine. One horrible morning the village beneath the mountain and the witch encountered horrible rains that flooded the village. Lost men, women, and children fled to the mountain and the witch pleading and begging to be saved from the flood. However, the mountain would not allow it and told the witch to tell the lost villagers to turn around and return to their flooded homes. Together the mountain and the witch watched the village and the villagers drown away until the very last scream was heard and all was calm.

The mountain and the witch sat in peace for years and years. Unaware of the civilization rebuilding beneath them craving revenge and seeking retaliation. One early morning before the sun could even rise, the new civilization of villagers set fire to the mountain and the witch. For seven whole days the villagers watched the mountain burn. Trees turned crisp and black shivering away and crumbling into the wind. The beautiful green and fruitful land scorched, the smell of heavy thick smoke filled the early morning sky, for what could have been a beautiful blue sunrise was now a black welcoming morning.

Some say, the witches agonizing screams could be heard for seven days and seven nights. Some say each night the witch could be seen at the very top of the mountain engulfed in flames, howling in pain. However, the villagers oblivious to their own ignorance cheered in victory, all seven days and all seven nights, the villagers danced, drunk, and feasted. Until, the morning of the eighth day. As the villagers lay passed out drunk from their celebrations they were suddenly awoken by a blood curdling horrendous howl. To the villagers absolute horror, the mountain had woken them up.

Now, some say the witch and the mountain became one, growing large hairy arms and a snarling mouth that ate the villagers and their village up whole. Some say the mountain and the witch burned the village like they tried to burn the witch and the mountain. The truth is no one knows what really happened that day, because no one ever lived to tell the tale. No bodies were ever discovered, only ruins of what use to be. The only thing that was for certain, the mountain and the witch stood tall and strong. Glistening with fruitful green lands not one hint of a fire ever touching the mountain.

To this day it stands above us, we call it the mountain that does not die. No one has walked on its green grass or ate from its fruitful trees in over five centuries. The rumor now, is that touching the mountain, even a blade of grass, will curse you and your family with sickness, bad luck, and even death. And if you are lucky enough to touch the grass of the mountains with your bare feet or pluck the fruit off the trees with your bare hands, you will never leave the mountain. Wondering endlessly until you wonder across the witches cabin where she will surely lure you in and kill you. So, it is very important my child to stay away from the mountain that never dies”. Mama gave me a warm smile and kissed my forehead.

“Sweet dreams my little one”.

“Goodnight mama”.

And just like that mama was gone, leaving me in the thick black imagination in my room. Falling asleep to images of the mountain and the witch. Dreaming of a way to visit the mountain that was not that very far from me, and completely ignoring mamas warnings. 

     I woke up the next morning with the taste for adventure. Mama made pancakes and eggs for me, nestled in the microwave before she had left to work. After eating breakfast and washing the dishes I got dressed to tend the garden one of my chores before school. Brown work boots, denim jumpsuit, and a red scarf over my head. The mountain rose high over the village and for the first time I actually noticed the mountain. Just as mama had said the mountain still tall and strong rich in green and colors. All the while I could not help but to think how lonely the witch must be up there in the mountain.

After tending the garden I showered and changed into school clothes, and continued my daily routine. The path I took everyday was unusually empty this afternoon. Still the birds sang their happy songs, and the butterflies flew around in circles playing together. A light breeze gently blew through the trees, occasionally playing with strands of loose hair from my head.

The cobblestone path led away from the five home neighborhood, deep into the twisted trees that led to the front of the mountain and eventually leading to a path into town. Town consisted of a school, a library, a hospital, a bank, and a grocery store. The day was beautiful and I caught myself singing a tune I never heard before. 

   Suddenly I was stopped dead in my tracks. The usual twelve foot gate with warning signs and a dead bolt lock on it  was now wide open. It looked as if someone simply used a key and pulled the gates apart. Exposing the entrance of a beautiful green mountain littered with thousands of beautiful trees with every colorful fruit that could be imagined dangling from the branches of the trees. Flowers of every color bright and vivid danced in the light breeze, then suddenly the air began to smell sweet. 

    Scents of honey and mint seemed to glide through the trees of the mountain onto the small village below. The Wind seemed to pick up now, and for a quick moment between the whispering wind and singing birds, I heard my name being sang. Then, just like that, everything stopped the birds stopped singing, the wind stopped whispering, The only thing that stayed now was a sweet smell of honey and lemon twisting in the air. 

    Without hesitation, without even realizing I had done it, I looked down, at my bare feet on the cobblestone path my name was whispered again Floating through the now, still trees, and wrapping itself around me like sweet honey and sugar I felt no fear as i stepped through the open gate the first step of the gate my feet touched soft green grass. It melted through my toes and tickled them. The wind picked back up this time howling almost angrily at me, but the smells they would change with each gush of wind from lemon to Strawberry, and from Strawberry to honey, from honey to Sugar and from Sugar to cinnamon-

“Welcome”. 

Finally, I stopped I turned around and my mouth fell open I don’t know for how long, but I had walked away from the gate, and I was surrounded by thick green trees, flowers, and fruit hanging from just about almost all of them

“Come child, keep walking”.

The Voice called out as soft as the wind as gentle as the plush grass beneath my feet. yet I knew, something in me knew, I could not leave, and I felt no need to turn and run or hide. Instead, I turned back around and with calmness I never felt before walked towards the soft whispering voice. Up ahead a cabin stood in the path with a very tall silhouette in the door way. 

“Come child, come have a cup of tea with me”.

This was my home now with the witch and the mountain.