Morpethroad

Part One can be read here: https://summerstommy.com/2019/12/12/tale-weaver-253-magic-castle-fairy-tale-12-12-the-magic-potion-contest/

Part two can be read here: https://summerstommy.com/2019/12/13/tale-weaver-253-magic-castle-fairy-tale-12-12-the-magic-potion-contest-part-2/

The two weeks passed rapidly and before anyone knew it the big night arrived. This was the first time the two castles had been pitted against each other, and so interest was high as to what each set of crones would produce.

The Pointy Creek Castle under the leadership of Augustus Flung gathered to the right of the stage. The Blunt Creek Castle group to the left.

Augustus was particularly proud of his crones, as they had gone all out to look the part, as reluctant their head crone Whatsit was to be there. They wore long flowing red gowns with silver sequins and hats that suggested a medieval fashion. Each was appropriately hunched with their humps accentuated by a gold star.

The crones of Blunt Creek, led by Adolphus Twirt, took fashion very seriously and wore grey pin strip suits each with a spectacularly colourful cravat. They certainly stood out, and their confidence and arrogance were obvious.

The meeting was soon called to order and the chairperson; Adeline Cark called on the Pointy Creek crones to demonstrate the potion they had made.

Their spokescrone was Wherefore who assisted by Howso outlined their potion and what they claimed it would do. The Personality Plus potion would transform the shyest person into a confident and well-rounded articulate person. They did point out the tests they had done on Eh, and she came forward gushing the benefits of the potion and how it had changed her life.

After much discussion, Mrs Ethel Smirk came forward. Mrs Smirk was a small nervous woman, mother of two small boys and a woman known in the community as very quiet and reticent.

The crowd was hushed as Mrs Smirk was given a teaspoon of the potion. She sat with her eyes closed, there were several seconds of silence before she opened her eyes, looked about and in a voice not heard before from Mrs Smirk went into a lengthy discussion about the benefits of the bee industry in the community.

The crowd sat stunned as Mrs Smirk, usually, a taciturn woman, waxed lyrically on every subject offered to her. Her manner was relaxed and entertaining, and it clear to all and sundry the potion was a success.

Next were the crones of Blunt Creek were called to demonstrate their potion, The Distracting Potion. All three, Tom, Dick and Harry came forward with Phil their experimental subject and explained the potion they had developed. When called upon, Phil told the gathering that he had ploughed the south paddock and expected a bumper crop of potatoes that year. He scoffed at any suggestion he was in any way interested in spending an afternoon with Dark Alice.

A volunteer was called for and one Fingal O’Toole who had a lot to say about the male crones of Blunt Creek and who on more than one occasion had promised harm to them if he saw them in the street. He was more than willing to come forward and show for the Blunt Creek crones as the charlatans he believed they were.

Again a teaspoon was administered, and the hushed room awaited the results on Fingal.

From Fingal’s mouth and his finest Irish accent, he informed the crowd that: “Niver in all my years have I come across three finer gentlemen that the crones of Blunt Creek. These lads are pillars of society, and example to us all and we should be proud to have them living amongst us.”

Fingal had always been a man with a grudge against most of his neighbours but when their names were mentioned he became effusive with praise for each and every one.

Adeline then called the gathering to order and asked the crowd for a show of hands as to which Castle was going to be given the title of most magical.

It was close, the counting was done twice, but the outcome was the Blunt Creek Castle won with seven votes more than the Pointy Creek Castle.

Such was the success of the day and the closeness of the competition it was decided to make it an annual event much to the disappointment of Whatsit who stamped her foot and scowled darker than ever. Wherefore and Howso, on the other hand, had already put their heads together to plan their next potion.

For the Blunt Creek Castle, it was a time of celebration and renewed interest in their form of magic. Things were looking up all round.

Written for: https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2019/12/12/tale-weaver-253-magic-castle-fairy-tale-12-12/

There was spirited debate around the respective magical qualities of the two local castles.

Both had been there a long time.

The castle at the pointy end of Pointy Creek Road had a well-known majesty about it whereas the castle at the blunt end of Blunt Creek Road had more your down to earth feel about it.

Both owners were adamant theirs was the more magical.

A town meeting was called the thrash the matter out for once and for all.

The discussion went back and forward until a voice was heard: “I love a good turret.” The meeting paused, and heads turned to see an auburn headed girl standing in the back of the room. Then all eyes turned to the owners of the respective castle, Augustus Flung of the Pointy Creek Castle and Adolphus Twirt of the Blunt Creek Castle.

“We don’t have turrets,” they announced simultaneously. “They weren’t considered fashionable at the time the castles were built.”

“I’m just saying,” said the auburn headed girl.

There were rumblings about the room until the chairman; Adeline Cark called the meeting to order to remind them they were there to discuss the respective magical qualities of the respective castles.

“My castle,” stated Augustus Flung,” has been at the pointy end of Pointy Creek Road for well on five hundred years and the crones who live on the outer edges of the castle are the ugliest of crones. We are very proud of our crones, and in fact, there is a waiting list of applicants to join our crone school.”

Not to be outdone Adolphus Twirt chimed in: “My castle has been at the blunt end of Blunt Creek Road for four hundred years, and my crones are the ugliest and most boisterous crones around. Their magic is the stuff of legends, and many of you here would bear testimony to that. You, in particular, Adeline Cark as you were once a man called John Chalk, but my crones magically turned you into the woman you are today.”

This revelation about Adeline Cark was news to many. Adeline, instead of being horrified by the announcement, stood radiantly at the front of the hall.

She raised her hand, and the room fell silent.

“There will be a Great Magic Potion contest between the two castles and at the end of which a decision will be made as to which castle is the more magical. Tell your crones to fire up their cauldrons and let the competition begin. We will meet here again in two weeks.”

With that, nothing more was said. The meeting dispersed, and the two owners of the two castles left hurriedly to have their crones get to work.

Nothing they both thought was going to stand in the way of a good potion, after all, reputation was everything.

Written for: https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2019/12/12/tale-weaver-253-magic-castle-fairy-tale-12-12/