follow your feet: The Tale of the One Sister

“There was once one sister who was traveling along a lonely, golden beach at midday. In time, the sister reached face off with a horse galloping toward her, traveling too fast to avoid. However, this sister was learned in the magical arts, and so she simply thought to step aside and let the horse past.

Morocco - out to get me

Her brain was halfway through the decision making process when she found her synapses blocked by the large Arab horse, whom she named Death.

Battlements

And Death spoke to her. He was angry that he had been cheated out of a new victim, for travellers usually died when hit by oncoming horses galloping at top speed. But Death was cunning. He pretended to congratulate the sister on her great decision-making skills magic and said that she had earned a prize for having been clever enough to evade him.

Downtown Essaouira

And then Death asked the third and youngest sister (for that is what she was) what she would like. The youngest sister was humble and wise, and she did not trust Death. So she asked for something that would enable him to go forth from that place without being followed by Death. And Death, most unwillingly, told her that she could pass unscathed and get away with simply that.

The not beach part of the beach

Then Death stood aside and allowed the sister to continue on her way, and she did so, thinking with wonder of the adventure she had had, and admiring Death for his gift.

Boats for safe-keeping

Then BAM! At the last minute, just as she thought that Death had left her alone and was going to let her leave in peace, he hit her. With force. And speed. On the shoulder.

Some more boats

But Death didn’t care. Death just galloped off down the beach. Leaving nothing more than a pile of Steph on the beach. And some stars in her eyes. The dizzy kind. Not the good kind.