Episode Notes

Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is 60 Seconds for Story Prompt Friday with several questions carefully chosen to help you collect stories in the oral tradition or spark your own writing. Either way you’ll say, “Thanks for the memories.”

Once, upon a time there lived a woodcutter and his wife. He cut wood in the forest and she grew vegetables; together they sold the food and firewood in the market.

The couple longed for a family but still had no children. The woodcutter’s elderly and ailing mother lived with them. And, when winter came there was little food or wood or money.

The woodcutter’s wife was worried. To clear her thoughts she wrapped a small chunk of bread, a rind of cheese and a dried apple in a cloth, tucked it in a pocket and set out into the snowy woods. Stopping in a clearing she was startled to see an old crone dressed in a thread-bare cloak, her feet wrapped in rags. Reaching out a twisted hand she asked: “Would you have a crust of bread or bit of cheese to share?”

This was about all the woodcutter’s wife had and would have lied but for the look of hunger in the old woman’s face. She undid the cloth and offered half. When the meager meal was done the crone disappeared and in her place was the Queen of the Winter North resplendent in white furs with ice crystals for a crown. “You have been kind to me, a stranger, and so I will grant you 1 wish if you return here in 3 days’ time.” And then she was gone.

The woodcutter’s wife was more distressed than ever before. How to choose: a family, work and food, her ailing mother-in-law. Over and over she turned the choices. What to do? How to choose? Who to choose?

What would you do?

On the 3rd day she walked back to the clearing in the woods where the Queen of the Winter North appeared as before. “What is your 1 wish?”

“I wish, said the woodcutter’s wife, that my mother-in-law will live long enough to see her 3 grandchildren eating with silver spoons.”

“As you wish, it is done and so it shall be.”

Prompt: What are you wishing for? How do you know it’s what you really desire? And how will you frame it to help your wish (or wishes) come true?

Share your story with someone or something: your journal, your animal companion, the trees in the woods. All that matters is you make a true wish (or wishes) and help it come true – like magic.

 

This is the place to thrive together. Come for the stories – stay for the magic. You’re invited to stop by the website and subscribe to stay current with Diane, her journeys, her guests, as well as creativity, imagination, walking, stories, camaraderie, and so much more: Quarter Moon Story Arts

Production Team: Quarter Moon Story Arts
Music: Entering Erdenheim from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music
All content and image © 2019 – Present Quarter Moon Story Arts

 

 

Contributors

Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music

Diane F. Wyzga, Podcaster, Story Artist, Critical Listening Coach