Welcome to the Romantic Friday Writers' fortnightly writing challenge, started and hosted by DeniseCovey_L_Aussie , where participants share their own 300-400-word text - story or poem - on a given theme. This week's theme for Friday, 23rd of March, Challenge No. 34, is 'She wears my ring'. My text is written directly for this REW-challenge.
Here is my text :
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She wears my ring
Illustration by John Bauer (1882-1918)
Illustration by John Bauer (1882-1918)
Edvin Kloo* was a giant troll with long wavy hair, a bulbus nose, beady eyes and pointed ears with long, hanging ear lobes. While walking in the woods, he stumbled upon a tiny, faerie princess named Soft-Star, who had injured one of her wings and could not fly home. Edvin, who was delighted to find such a beautiful creature and wanted to help her, scooped her up in his enormous hands, that had claws instead of finger nails, and gently carried her home to his mother.
'Look what I found by the lake!' he said beaming as he handed Soft-Star to his mother. She could tell that he was smitten. Poor boy, she thought, taking the injured faerie princess and tucking her in a bed made out of a shoe box.
Soft-Star's wing hurt and she was so tired that she did not care about anything else but the opportunity to sleep and rest. But after a time her health improved and she wanted to try using her wings again. But before she was to leave, Soft-Star needed to satisfy her curiosity. So she asked Edvin, 'Has an evil witch cast a spell on you?' without thinking that she might be hurting his feelings.
'No, we are really trolls and shall remain so,' answered Edvin reluctantly, because he knew that he would be found out if he lied. But he wanted dearly to lie. He would have liked to have been a bewitched handsome faerie-prince who would regain his former self, if he were kissed by this beautiful fairy-princess.
'You are a very sweet troll', Edvin, comforted Soft-Star, 'Thank you for saving me.' And she threw faerie-dust on him as she disappeared into the dark woods.
Soft-Star's wing hurt and she was so tired that she did not care about anything else but the opportunity to sleep and rest. But after a time her health improved and she wanted to try using her wings again. But before she was to leave, Soft-Star needed to satisfy her curiosity. So she asked Edvin, 'Has an evil witch cast a spell on you?' without thinking that she might be hurting his feelings.
'No, we are really trolls and shall remain so,' answered Edvin reluctantly, because he knew that he would be found out if he lied. But he wanted dearly to lie. He would have liked to have been a bewitched handsome faerie-prince who would regain his former self, if he were kissed by this beautiful fairy-princess.
'You are a very sweet troll', Edvin, comforted Soft-Star, 'Thank you for saving me.' And she threw faerie-dust on him as she disappeared into the dark woods.
Edvin kept thinking about Soft-Star, long after she had left.
'Oh mother, I keep dreaming about her every night. I see her dressed in white! I see it in my dreams! She wears my ring! Oh, if only she could be mine.'
'Yes dear', his wise mother replied, 'But your ring would be more like a bangle bracelet, a necklace or even a belt on her. You are just too big, or she is just too little for you. You will meet a nice troll-girl who will suit you better.'
'I suppose so', sighed Edvin, as a tear rolled down over his greenish-brown, scaley and bumpy cheek.
'Oh mother, I keep dreaming about her every night. I see her dressed in white! I see it in my dreams! She wears my ring! Oh, if only she could be mine.'
'Yes dear', his wise mother replied, 'But your ring would be more like a bangle bracelet, a necklace or even a belt on her. You are just too big, or she is just too little for you. You will meet a nice troll-girl who will suit you better.'
'I suppose so', sighed Edvin, as a tear rolled down over his greenish-brown, scaley and bumpy cheek.
[Text copyright 2012 Christina Wigren All rights reserved.]
*'Klo' means 'claw' in Swedish. 'Kloo' is actually a name. I know a woman named 'Kloo'.
Word count according to WordCalc: 399; 'FCA'; Full Critique Acceptable.
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Best wishes,
Anna
P.S.
This is obviously a fictional text, inspired by faerie tales and two films that I have recently seen together with my seven year old daughter, Elisabet: Nanny McPhee and Beauty and the Beast.
Another and older source of inspiration for this gentle giant is actually a chapter of Mary Shelley's (1797-1851) novel, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus (1818), where the monster stays hidden and observes, with envy, a family in a mountain village. He longs for their family life, and their 'normalness'. Read here.
I have been wanting to write a story about trolls since I've been going through a list of different kinds of creatures, faeries, gnomes, werewolves, witches, wizards, vampires, cats, etc. My idea of how trolls should look was shaped in my childhood by the Swedish artist, John Bauer (1882-1918) who illustrated trolls. (In English about John Bauer.)
Picture source
I am also inspired by N.R.William's RFW-text about the faeries, What-Not and Dip-and-Sway from last time, 'I love you because...' (Read it here). So, this one's for you, Nancy.
This is obviously a fictional text, inspired by faerie tales and two films that I have recently seen together with my seven year old daughter, Elisabet: Nanny McPhee and Beauty and the Beast.
Another and older source of inspiration for this gentle giant is actually a chapter of Mary Shelley's (1797-1851) novel, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus (1818), where the monster stays hidden and observes, with envy, a family in a mountain village. He longs for their family life, and their 'normalness'. Read here.
I have been wanting to write a story about trolls since I've been going through a list of different kinds of creatures, faeries, gnomes, werewolves, witches, wizards, vampires, cats, etc. My idea of how trolls should look was shaped in my childhood by the Swedish artist, John Bauer (1882-1918) who illustrated trolls. (In English about John Bauer.)
Picture source
I am also inspired by N.R.William's RFW-text about the faeries, What-Not and Dip-and-Sway from last time, 'I love you because...' (Read it here). So, this one's for you, Nancy.
First Commenter:
Donna Hole
of Donna Hole
Or to read other texts for Romantic Friday Writers Challenge No. 34, with the theme 'She wears my ring', please visit this site, click on the image below or scroll down to the linky:
12 comments:
Oh Anna, this is adorable. You have a beautiful knack for childrens tales. I do hope you are planning to develope this into a longer work.
I love how you worked the phrase into his dream of happiness with the little faerie. You made a troll such an endearing soul.
This was absolutely lovely.
......dhole
I enjoyed this sweet, sad endearing story. here after a long time and glad to see your writing.
A twist in the troll tale , I see here and am curious about the fairy dust she cast on him.
A very charming story. You do have quite a talent for this
Oh bless! Poor Edvin. This makes a good children's tale.
Oh, poo! This troll tale is simply too short. I love troll tales. I think I have at least three books on Scandinavian folklore. I would have loved to find out why Edvin Klå is such a compassionate troll is.
This is enchanting, Anna. You have a gift for faery stories. We could all do with a bit of faery dust too...in the best possible way.
Hi dear Anna. Sorry for the lateness of my reply. I've read your story twice on my phone - but your site jumps around a bit and I couldn't reply properly. so here I am - ready to leave my comment.
This was such an adorable, touching story. I'm not the only one who thought so judging by the comments. I loved the little characters, although Elvin may not have been so little. He is such a loveable troll. Soft-Star, what a beautiful name for a beautiful little faery. I love the way you incorporate the words into Elvin's dream. Very clever tactic.
This is a well structured, well plotted flash fiction story which would grace the pages of a children' story accompanied by glorious illustrations.
Thank you for your kind comments on my blog, Anna. You know you are a very valued member of the RFW community and I hope we never lose you permanently due to work considerations. That said, I hope your aspirations to find more work are hugely successful and you find the ideal job to fit in with your jewellery business and your children's needs.
Thank you Anna for being such an inspiration. (Don't forget to email me if you have any suggestions for changes to RFW...)
Denise
Anna, this is very charming and could be the basis of an illustrated children's story. Love your choice of character names.
Linda
You tell a good children's story, Anna!
=)
Hi Anna
I am so honored to be an inspiration to you. I have never liked trolls, so to read your story and discover the heart of a troll to be swayed by faerie love is amazing. You took a monster and made him loveable. Bravo.
I hope you find a job that suits your needs and leaves you time for your family and interest.
If you like, you can email me a short piece to be critiqued and I will show you how to change your writing from telling to showing. You'd have a better chance at being published. Not that this story is wrong, just in a telling style.
Nancy
gillael at aol. dot com
Oh no! Poor Edvin. I nearly cried there. He was smitten wasn't he.
Anna, you really captured the essence of unrequited love in your lovely tale. It really was beautiful and poignant at the same time.
My sweet Anna,
This story is adorable. Had me smiling all the way through. When we think of trolls, we think of huge, ugly & scary beasts who have no feelings, but you've managed to humanize Edvin. I know the ending is sad, but I had to giggle somewhat at what his troll-mom said about his ring being more like a bracelet, necklace or belt...that was too cute! This was a delightful read. Thanks for sharing.
The Beloved
I know you're taking part in the A-Z Challenge. Good luck! If you have any energy left over after, I'm having a monthly collaboration over at my new blog Lovers' Cove! It debuts May 15th & is a collaboration with a twist. Everyone is welcome. Intrigued? Check out the entry guidelines here... Hope you can join in!
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