We all knew about Mother Hubbard and her poor, hungry doggie. We knew that in a moment of desperation it rained dog bones, a rarely repeated phenomenon, and so she went from poor to rich, in dog bones at least.
What many didn’t know was Mother Hubbard had a sister Agnes, known as Mother Grubbard. In both cases the women were childless, but that didn’t stop anyone from calling them Mother, a title both ladies basked in.
Mother Grubbard lived on the edge of town, beyond the town dump, behind a clump of trees that shielded her from the prying eyes of the community.
Mother Grubbard had built herself a tower with a fine spiral staircase to the top. On the top grew the one thing that made life worthwhile for her.
There grew a plant she had developed called the Grubbard. What was special about the Grubbard was it contained an elixir of life.
You see both Mother’s had been around a long time and most people were used to seeing Mother Hubbard, in particular, with her now happy doggie around the streets and in the shops.
Once a year the community would see a young lady, carrying a backpack make her way into Mother Hubbard’s house. In her back pack was a small vial of elixir which would keep Mother Hubbard ageless for another year. A drop in her porridge each morning and a drop on the dogs bone and the status quo was maintained.
The youthful Agnes upon entering Mother Hubbard’s house would remove her teeth and instantly she would become old and crone-like. The sisters would enjoy their day together before Agnes would insert her teeth and appear as the youthful woman making her way out of town.
Once home she would remove her teeth and take her trusty watering can up the flight of steps to give the Grubbard a good drink. This was a daily routine along with her monthly ritual of sprinkling some of Amelia Marble’s Herbal Plant Helper which the Grubbard received with relish. It’s flower bloomed with vigour, the whole plant revitalised before her eyes.
Life was long for both women, but the alternative was far grimmer they both concluded.
Written for: https://helenevaillant.com/2019/05/14/what-do-you-see-may-14-2019/
Morpethroad 
I love Mother Hubbard’s sister Agnes. I wish I had her teeth!!! Maybe I just need a bit of Amelia Marble’s Herbal Plant Helper….at my age I’ll take anything.
A marvelous story, Michael. Your imagination never skips a beat.
Thanks Helene, great image to write to.
I”m glad you liked the image Michael.
lol. A wonderful story.
Thanks so much Sadje.
You’re welcome 😉
This is really good Michael! I truly enjoyed it! ❤ 😀
Thanks so much
Michael! This explains so much. 1) why such and old lady as Old Mother Hubbard had so many children when she was clearly old enough to be their grandmother. And 2) Where can I get some of that elixir? And 3) I loved this story!
Life is full of mystery Linda sometimes we just have to believe. Thanks for liking the story
An interesting story, Michael … and have you been taking the elixir?
I’m fast running out of it.😟
Oh dear. 🙂
I need foot elixir urgently 😃
Sorry, can’t recommend one. Tried any of the many that contain urea? Good for corns and bunions and callouses.
Thanks, maybe I could stand around in some??
If that’s how you want to soak your feet …
Love your tale Michael. Especially the teeth!
Ah yes one advantage to keeping them in
What a wonderful tale…this could be a beautiful plot for a short story..
Thanks so much for your encouragement.
I love knowing about the lives of characters outside of their fairy tales. I also like how Mother Grubbard didn’t feel the need to keep her youth-making teeth in all the time. There is something freeing about being yourself in the garden! Great write!
Thanks so much glad you could stop by.