Caroline Hartley and the Magic Key

Middle Europe

Once upon a time, in a land far away, lived an old woman. She lived on top of a hill in a small crumbling cottage that had a large garden with a nice view. The locals called her ‘a good witch’, as she looked after them kindly.

One day a young boy was passing her cottage. The old woman, who was dressed in black and wore a laced white scarf around her neck, beckoned to him.

“Boy, I have something to give you,” she said adding, “Come with me.”

The boy went into the old woman’s cottage with her. The room was dimly lit with candles. She motioned for him to sit down next to a fireplace that was alight. Its logs crackled as the flames licked around them. The old woman went over to a shelf, picked up an old jar and placed it on a table in front of them. She then reached into the jar and picked out a set of old keys.

“These are for you,” she said to the boy adding, “I want you to become the keeper of these keys.”

“What do I do with them?” the boy asked.

The ‘good witch’ replied, “You will give them to other children. Together you will ensure this land and all that is built on it in the future is looked after.”

“But why me?” asked the boy.

“Because alas, I have no children,” said the old woman. “I have not long to live. It is therefore my wish to pass on my magic to future generations of children to enjoy as I once did.”

She then pressed the keys into the boy’s hands. Suddenly, he felt a strange tingling in them. They momentarily appeared to light up with a white glow that seemed to rise upwards, almost as if something magic had just happened.

“You are now the keeper of these keys,” she said. “I have given you a special power, which in time you will discover.”

“I don’t know what to say?” replied the boy.

“Say nothing,” said the old woman standing up. “Now go boy. It is late and I am tired.”

As the boy started to walk away down the old windy forest path the old woman, who was now leaning on her ramshackled garden gate, said to him, “Remember, the magic will only last so long but its power will survive long after to ensure its survival and transition. Nevertheless, be warned. There are dark forces out there. Guard the keys from evil.”

The boy walked on into the forest…