A Brush of Colour, A Stroke of Courage Or, The Rainbow Beyond the Fear

Once upon a time, a girl named Amy lived in a quaint village. While washing the dishes, she saw her stepmother sitting in her rocking chair by the radio as its crackling voice warned of 'monsters lurking in the forest' and 'dangers beyond the village.' The radio's glowing knobs seemed to pulse ominously. Amy shivered, her stepmother's fearful whispers echoing in her ears.

The radio's voice was soothing yet insidious, weaving tales of terror that settled in listeners' minds like a fog. When Amy stared too long at its glowing knobs, she felt her chest tighten with unease. The voice warned of strange things, causing people to stay indoors with their windows shut.

She pressed her nose against the cold glass, yearning to step outside. "What’s it like out there?" she wondered. For as long as she could remember, her stepmother’s harsh words about monsters had kept her locked away, too frightened to explore. But a spark of curiosity burned in her chest.

“Is there really a world full of danger, or is it something else entirely?” Amy Asked.

"Amy, you’re being reckless!" her stepmother snapped. "The radio says it’s dangerous out there!"

"But you’ve never seen the monsters yourself, have you?" Amy retorted. “How do you know the radio’s right?”

One magical day, as Amy mopped the floors, she noticed a tiny spark of light dancing by the window. Curiosity burned within her, a vibrant flame that demanded to be quenched. Soundlessly, she parted the heavy drapes, the thick fabric whispering against each other as she looked outside. She found a tiny fairy, not a monster!

"Hello, Amy!" the fairy chirped. “Why this gloomy hiding place?”

Amy gasped in amazement. "Monsters exist, the radio and my stepmother told me, and they are attempting to lure us outside where they will eat us.”

The fairy chuckled. “Nonsense, sweet girl; fear is the only monster. But only you can open the window. A cunning trickster enchanted the radios," the fairy explained. “He feeds on fear, and as long as people believe his lies, he grows stronger. But you, Amy, have the power to break his spell.”

“Really?”

"The radios can only control you if you listen to them," the fairy said. "But once you see the world with your own eyes, their power fades."

Amy hesitated, her heart pounding. Her stepmother’s words echoed in her mind, but the fairy’s smile was warm and reassuring. She reached for the latch with trembling hands and pushed the window open. A rush of fresh air filled the room, carrying the scent of wildflowers and the sound of cheerful birdsong. A magical breeze hinted at adventure, filling the room. “Come; we'll vanquish the monsters!”

Curious, Amy opened the door to a dazzling array of colours. A brilliant, almost impossibly vibrant blue sky arched above a field where red, yellow, and purple flowers swayed gently in a warm breeze. Amy gasped in starry-eyed wonder.

Stepping through the door, she saw something startling. A splendid peacock displayed its feathers amidst beautiful colours. Its vibrant blues and greens shimmered in the sunlight, each scale catching the light like a tiny jewel strutting around like a royal king.

A crow cawed loudly nearby. Then she spied her morning rooster from the village! Fear, not happiness, overcame Amy.

Amy summoned her courage, took a deep breath, and approached the rooster. Surprisingly, the rooster wasn't scary in the least! Its bright red comb and cheerful eyes made it seem like a friendly pet, not a monster. "Cock-a-doodle-doo! How are you?"

Amy laughed at the rooster while peering around at the other animals doing their daily business.

Feeling bolder, Amy started exploring the vibrant world around her. She danced with the peacock, laughed amongst the flowers, and twirled in the warm sunshine. Butterflies and birds, a colour kaleidoscope, greeted her with outstretched wings.

Amy spent the day discovering that instead of monsters, she found amazing friends and magical adventures. Her fear vanished as quickly as ice cream melts in the sun.

Wandering through the woods, she unexpectedly encountered the infamous Big Bad Wolf. Amy's heart pounded; she recalled tales depicting the wolf as a fearsome beast. “Amy froze as Charlie stepped closer, his big eyes kind but his sharp teeth glinting in the sunlight. The radio echoed in her mind: 'Wolves are cunning predators.' But then she saw the wag of his tail and the hopeful look on his face, and she realized... he was just as scared of her as she was of him.

She was ready to escape when the little fairy appeared beside her. "Wait, Amy!" the shimmering fairy chirped, her smile twinkling. "Don't be afraid! That’s Charlie."

Amy tilted her head, watching Charlie show his magical vacuum. “I don’t understand,” she said. “Why would people say you’re dangerous if you’re so kind?”

Charlie sighed, his tail drooping. “People fear what they don’t understand. It’s easier to believe the stories than to get to know someone.”

“Well, I’m glad I got to know you.” 

Charlie’s talent and kindness impressed her as he showcased his impressive vacuum cleaners. Amy saw the ‘real’ Charlie, a vacuum cleaner salesman, emerge as they laughed and played.

Amy pledged to unveil the truth concerning Charlie, the wolf. Highlighting his exceptional attributes.

She dashed into the house, the room flooding with sunlight after her. With his magical vacuum cleaner, Charlie followed. Gasping, her stepmother clutched her apron.

"What's this?" her stepmother demanded. "You actually went outside? Didn't I warn you about those monsters? Look, there is one right behind you!” She screamed.

“There are no monsters,” Amy said firmly, her voice steady. “You were wrong. The world is full of friends and incredible things—things you’d see if you stepped outside, too. Where did you get this idea that everything outside was so evil?”

"Her stepmother’s face softened, guilt flickering in her eyes. 'I just wanted to protect you,' she whispered, clutching the radio like a lifeline. 'This box—it told me what was out there. How could I not believe it?'

Amy gently took the radio from her stepmother’s hands, its glowing knobs dimming as she held the power cord. 'But it’s not telling the truth,' Amy said softly. 'Look outside. Do you see any monsters? Listen—do you hear any danger?' Her stepmother hesitated, then shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. 'No,' she admitted. 'Just laughter and birdsong.' And with that, Amy unplugged the radio, setting it down on the table.

Sunlight streamed through the window, filling the room with warmth.

Amy took her hand. “Fear is the only monster, and we don’t have to let it control us anymore.” “We should believe our eyes and not what this thing says.”

As Amy danced in the sunlight, the villagers watched her wide-eyed. Slowly, they began to turn off their own radios, their homes filling with silence for the first time in years. And in that silence, they heard the laughter of children, the songs of birds, and the rustling of the wind."

While they were talking, they heard voices outside. Someone else needed help.

Three little pigs, Percy, Penny, and Pip, lived in a sunny meadow near the forest. They were cheerful little piggies who loved to play and have fun, but one day, a big storm swept through their home, leaving a terrible mess, especially at Percy’s house, which was made of straw!

As the three little pigs cleaned up the debris, they sighed in frustration. "Oh, what a disaster!" Percy cried, looking at the straw scattered everywhere. "How will we ever clean this up?"

Just then, who should come along but Charlie, the friendly wolf with the magical vacuum! With his tail wagging and a big smile, he greeted the pigs. “Hello, little friends! I see you’re in a bit of a pickle. Do you need some help?”

The three little pigs exchanged glances, recalling tales of the big bad wolf. "But aren’t you supposed to be scary?" asked Penny, raising an eyebrow. Seeing Amy and her stepmother walking with Charlie, they didn’t run away but decided to learn the truth for themselves.

Charlie chuckled warmly. "Oh, those old tales are not true at all! I’m here to help, not to hurt. I have my magical vacuum, and it can clean up this mess in no time!"

Curiosity caused the three to exchange glances. "Seriously?” Pip asked, his eyes sparkling with hope. "Absolutely!" Charlie replied, pulling out his magical vacuum. With a flick of the switch, the vacuum roared to life, and in an instant, it began gobbling up the scattered straw and debris as if it were a giant, friendly monster!

The pigs watched in amazement as Charlie expertly maneuvered the magical machine, turning their messy yard into a clean and tidy paradise. "Wow, this is incredible!" Percy squealed with joy. "We never knew a wolf could be so helpful!"

As the last bits of straw were sucked up, the pigs couldn’t help but cheer. "Thank you, Charlie! You’ve saved the day!" they exclaimed, their hearts filled with gratitude.

Charlie smiled, feeling proud. "I’m happy to help! Remember, not all tales about wolves are true. Sometimes, we just need to give each other a chance to show our true colours."

Amy smiled at her new friends. As she walked further, she encountered a chicken running around and squawking frantically.

Clucky flapped his wings in a panic. “The sky is falling! We’re doomed!”

Amy’s heart raced. Was it true? Was this another monster the radio had warned her about?

With the newfound silence in the village, they could hear the commotion outside. The villagers rushed out of their homes, eyes wide with confusion. The baker dropped his freshly baked bread, the children stopped playing with their colourful balloons, and the sheep paused mid-chew of the fresh green grass, all wondering what was happening.

But then Amy noticed something on the ground: a large chocolate-brown nut. She picked it up and held it out to Clucky. “This is what hit you. The sky isn’t falling—it’s just a tree dropping nuts.” Amy smiled, feeling a strange confidence growing inside her. Maybe not all fears were as real as they seemed.

Clucky blinked, his panic fading. “Oh… I guess I overreacted.” 

The fairy was pleased; all seemed well in Whimsy Hollow's world. Once again, the little village appeared as a town nestled in a lush green valley. It was a picture of peace and harmony, surrounded by gentle hills that rolled like waves and dotted with colourful wildflowers that danced in the breeze. The sun shone brightly, glowing warmly on the cozy cottages lining the winding cobblestone streets.

The stepmother threw the radio in the trash. Others spotted her, and soon, the street was crowded with radios.

One by one, the villagers brought their radios to the town square. Together, they smashed the glowing boxes, their fear dissolving with each hammer strike. When the last radio was destroyed, the village erupted in cheers. Among the cheerful crowd was Amy, her lively friend Nutty the Squirrel, the three little pigs—Percy, Penny, and Pip—and a few bears preparing for the large festival.

The village square was alive with colour and music as the villagers celebrated their first Festival of Friendship. Charlie showed off his magical vacuum, the pigs danced joyfully, and even Clucky joined in, clucking happily about how the sky wasn’t falling after all.

"Hello, everyone!" called the bears, their voices warm and inviting. "We are having a great Porridge Contest! Come, try our porridge, and vote for your favorite! The winner might even win a special prize!"

Amy’s eyes sparkled with excitement. "Oh, this sounds like so much fun!" she exclaimed.

Nutty the Squirrel bounced up and down. "I love porridge! Let’s taste them all!"

The three bears, Benny, Bella, and Bert, each had a special porridge recipe. Benny’s porridge was sweet and creamy, topped with honey and berries. Bella’s was hearty and filled with nuts and fruits, while Bert’s was warm and spicy, with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Amy, Nutty, and the pigs tasted each delicious bowl one by one. "Yum! This one is so sweet!" shouted Penny, diving into Benny’s bowl.

"This is the best for energy!" declared Pip, savoring Bella’s hearty mix.

"And this one is so cozy and warm!" added Amy, enjoying Bert’s spicy porridge.

After tasting all three, the friends gathered to discuss their favorites. "They are all so tasty! How do we choose just one?" Amy wondered, her eyes wide with delight.

Finally, they decided to cast their votes, each choosing the porridge that made their hearts the happiest. The bears eagerly awaited the results, their eyes sparkling with anticipation.

When the votes were counted, all three porridge recipes had tied! The villagers laughed and cheered, realizing it didn’t matter which porridge was the best; they all enjoyed it together.

Benny, Bella, and Bert smiled at each other and said, "How about we all share the prize? We can create a yearly Porridge Festival, where everyone can bring their recipes and taste each other’s creations!"

The crowd erupted in applause, and everyone agreed. The bears and villagers celebrated their newfound friendships with warm hugs and happy smiles. The sweet scent of wood smoke and baked goods mingled in the air, and they looked forward to creating wonderful memories.

Amy’s stepmother held her hand tightly as they walked through the village together. 'I’m sorry, Amy,' she said. "I let fear keep us apart for too long. Thank you for showing me the truth."

A riot of colour from vibrant fabrics and flowers filled the village square, where laughter and lively chatter danced. Sunlight glinted off Amy's hair as she twirled, her new friends' happy chatter and the soft sound of their footsteps accompanying her graceful dance. Charlie had his vacuums on display, the pigs were handing out snacks, and even Clucky was clucking happily, no longer afraid of falling skies.

They entered the sunlight together, fear melting away like frost in the morning warmth.

The next day, Amy put on her red coat and headed out to explore more of her world. Determined to fill the vase where the radio once sat with vibrant wildflowers and gather nuts and berries from the forest, she inhaled the fresh morning air before heading out the door. As she journeyed, the tall grass tickled her legs, and the sweet scent of wildflowers filled the air as she picked the flowers, nuts, and berries.

She banished her fears along the path with each step, song, and dance. Reaching the forest's edge, she found the trees whispering secrets in the dappled sunlight. “Believe what you can see, hear, and feel for yourself. It’s ok to question what you hear, but check the facts for yourself,” the fairy said.

The sounds reappeared without warning, but their menacing quality had vanished. A surge of curiosity prompted her to investigate the noise; perhaps they weren't monsters after all.

She was surprised to find a group of birds, their cheerful chirps filling the air as their bright, multicoloured feathers caught the light. Birds sang and crickets chirped, a delightful chorus that had sounded like monsters to her.

“Hello!” Amy called out, her voice ringing with joy. “You’re not monsters at all! You’re the most beautiful birds I’ve ever seen!”

The birds chirped back, flapping their wings excitedly, as if they were welcoming her into their world. Amy laughed and danced with them, realizing that sometimes, the things we fear the most can be wonderful surprises.

She froze when she stumbled upon a gingerbread house with a wolf at the door. The large ears, big feet, and large-looking teeth caused her to stutter.

“Are you here to eat that little old lady?”

The wolf turned to face her with her basket of nuts, berries, and flowers.

She didn't flee when the wolf came near. She didn’t see him carrying any vacuum cleaners, but he had a briefcase.

“No, silly girl. My name is Earl. I sell insurance. Here is my card. This woman lives in a house made of cookies. All it takes is a few ants; she will be homeless without insurance. What about you? What kind of house do you live in?”

Amy smiled, “It’s brick. You don’t sell vacuums?”

He shook his head. “Not all wolves sell vacuums. That’s my cousin Charlie. Do you need one? I can call him.”

Amy smiled, taking his card. “I ran into him yesterday.”

The forest became her playground. The woods were alive with the joyful sounds of bears playfully growling, pigs snorting contentedly, squirrels chattering incessantly, and wolves howling in the distance, their voices echoing through the trees.

Turning towards home, Lil Red, (Amy) was close to the edge of the woods when she ran into this boy selling magical beans. She traded him some nuts and berries for the beans.

As a precaution, she got insurance from the wolf before planting the beans.

“For only five gold coins monthly, I offer a 'Fee Fi Fo Fum' policy covering home damage, personal pride, and even your breadsticks—since giants are known for crushing homes and pilfering snacks!” The wolf said.

The moral of the story is that fear is the only monster, and the best way to defeat it is through curiosity, kindness, and verifying the truth for yourself.

The End