A Daughters' Fear
When she screamed in her sleep, I just knew she'd been reading that damned book again. It always gave her nightmares, bad ones too. I had no idea what the attraction was, but I was going to find it, once and for all and throw it out.
I came close to giving up, as it didn't seem to be anywhere in the room, as she tossed and turned, moaning with fear. I was afraid to wake her and afraid to let her sleep. She was just too young to be going through this, I thought.
One more place I'd forgotten to look and that was under the mattress. I waited till her tossing turned her over again, hesitantly slid my hand underneath and found it, pages frayed from reading Baba Yaga, over and over again. A hag, a witch that lived in a house supported by chicken legs! A witch that kidnapped innocent children, like she'd been kidnapped four years ago.
What her aunt was thinking when she bought that book for her, at the age of eight, knowing of her past and the nightmares and fear, I had no idea. Since she knew my daughters' history, I could only assume she was not thinking at all and I was furious at her still, for not having the common sense of a gnat.
With shaking hands, I picked up the book, silently slipped out of the room and took it outside, where I burned it. A foul smell came from the book when it was burning -- maybe I'd burned my daughters' fears?
Back into her room I tiptoed and found her sleeping soundly, silently and as I gently stroked her silky hair, whispering that I loved her, she opened her eyes, half asleep, and gave me the smile I hadn't seen since, well, since she'd gotten that book.
It was the sweetest thing I'd seen all year.
mn - 2009
Prompts for August 5th:
* include three senses in your article
* mention a book by title, either a real book or one you've made up
* use the word "page"
* make sure someone shows a noisy reaction such as cry or scream or roar with laughter, etc.
* tag with wwe
You have the whole week to write this. When you tag it with wwe, I can easily find it, comment on it, and highlight it in next week's column. I welcome both prose and poetry, fact or fiction. Write with energy. Do your best.
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Comments: 26
Marilyn
Appreciated!
Marilyn
thank for the card hugssssssssssssssssssssssssss
John, I think you're right about the again. Will edit and take it out.
Marilyn
I also agree with John in that there are several extraneous words here. Not a big deal, but enough to distract from the content of your tale. One example: I had no idea what the attraction to it was....I'd remove the "to it".
I'm not sure about the Surreal Circus, but will check it out and I agree with you on the "to it", so it's back for one more edit. LOL
Thanks,
Marilyn (appreciates all the help)
I've edited a couple of times and hopefully, it's a bit better now. I think I've gotten the words out, but if not, please feel free to let me know, I can always edit again! :)
Marilyn (thank you all for your help)
Oddly, I must confess, I have a very personal attraction to Baba Yaga. She practically lived beneath the wood stove as my children were growing up. Our 20x20' house sat up on stilts which looked remarkably like chicken legs. We each took turns acting the witch's role.
The effect that archetypes have on the human psyche, especially the oldest, fear based cautionary tales like Baba Yaga, continue to guide and inform us, long past childhood. Your well told tale adds to the continued effect.
I hope your little one's fear can be addressed. She's suffered a trauma that's probably more the source of her nightmares than what she's reading. No harm in minimizing spooky material though.
The burning ritual sounded quite satisfying for you as a concerned parent.