Pied Piper's not always human....

We sat around the other night confessing "bad parenting/horrible mother" tales: myself, Sandy, & Sheila the wedding bouquet maker...I can think of countless mistakes I made, yet all worked out in the end--for all of us!

Once upon a time there lived two brothers, toddlers they were, who took great joy amusing themselves in the sunshine or shadows of nature. Long afternoons they passed lolling about the rocky lane with dusty bums or in the sweet-smelling woods with muddy feet.

Between the cottage barn and the Queen's window was a slight clearing; she could watch the children play about the yard there chasing butterflies or collecting acorn treasures to fill their small pockets.

As the long summer days passed a strange occurrence transpired: before twilight cast its shadows, two odd visitors would slowly plod toward the youth from afar--a seemingly placid goat with his peculiar partner, Dog. With a cautious observance the unlikely pair would slowly circle the boys from a great distance before heading back down the road from whence they came.

At first the children took no notice, but as the days passed Goat and Dog casually tightened their path to a closer degree, occasionally nipping at grass clumps and wilted vegetables from the sleepy garden or wagging their tails beseechingly. The boys took note of the suspicious pair and soon wandered amoungst them freely, occasionally allowing a friendly lick or slight nudge before the Queen would gather them up in her arms and banish the creatures far down the lane.

Though dazzlingly bright in the sunlight, the baleful golden eyes of Goat now glinted and flashed in the evening shadows. Dog's tail grew silent and resentful while darkness fell upon all the land. A raven called. Dry lightening rumbled purply in the distance while oppressive heat settled in the uneasy valley. No rain came. Dog and Goat settled upon a high rocky ledge and scrutinized the tiny farm far below.

With dawn came the sleepy sun stretching its beams onto the earth and into the garret window. Pale yellow rays beseechingly called the sweaty-faced boys from their troublesome rest to come tumbling from the house.

It was slightly cooler under the nearby trees and much nicer to sit tranquilly on a moss cushion amusing themselves with twigs and sweet violets. Soon the children chattered amicably while brilliant charming beetles scurried about entertaining them with their antics, which caused them to laugh aloud delightedly. The queen smiled in her chamber.

A short time later as the morning hours wove the sun's warmth into a thick blanket, a gradual silence crept under the covers to envelope the still air. A sudden thudding heart drove the Queen outdoors; fierce fear speared an icy blade into her very soul. The toddlers had vanished...


more later/ more revisions!