Wednesday, January 31, 2018

If I Were


If I were a turtle, I'd live in a box.
And on every third Tuesday, I'd have tea with the fox.
If I were a bird, then I'd live by the sword.
Throughout the countless battles, I'd never get bored.
If I were a fish, I swim far and wide.
Gathering friends in a school, we'd map every tide.
If I were a dragon, my flames would burn bright.
None would ever question that you were my one true delight.
And if I'd been forgotten, left alone in old age.
Then perhaps one day I'd be remembered through the loving words I'd left written on the page.

Friday, January 26, 2018

For a Cardboard Box


1. It can become a cave for your cat.
2. Children can transform it into a rocket ship.
3. It can be a sled when it snows.
4. You can do potentially messy crafts on it, instead of on the fancy table from your great-aunt.
5. You can store books in it.
6. It can be a temporary transportation for your new pet rabbit.
7. You can use it as a frame when stiffening a doily.
8. It can become part of a Halloween costume.
9. You could use it to help organize supplies for a party.
10. It could be filled with candy.

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Cookies


Sometimes, what makes up a dragon's hoard isn't the kind of object that can last centuries.
Some like to hoard pets, because of the love and affection such small critters bring.
Others prefer fresh-cut flowers, or snowflakes that melt at the first hint of spring.
These kinds of hoards take constant maintenance, more so than those of jewels and treasures of gold.
But for one dragon, his maintaining his hoard meant staying on friendly terms with the local bakers.
Every Tuesday right around three, the local bakers would wheel cooling racks filled with cookies out of their shops. No matter the weather, they would all line up along the street and look up as the sound of wing beats filled the air.
They would watch with startling calm as a bright orange dragon landed on the paved road, careful not to bump any cars as he folded his wings.
"They smell spectacular," the dragon said in a rumbling growl that had once frightened the bakers, before they realized it was the dragon's way of vocalizing his excitement.
"And you've brought the payment?" One of the bakers asked, as it was his turn to be their voice.
"Yes, yes," the dragon twisted his head back on his long neck, gently releasing a large sack from where it rested between his wings. "Rare spices, herbs, and the like. Easy enough to find, though I'll never understand why you care for such things."
The spokesman for the bakers shook his head with a bemused smile. "They're useful for our businesses, and a better trade than live goats."
"The goats could have been roasted," the dragon said after setting the sack down.
A few bakers approached the sack and began to empty it, while the spokesman for the bakers gave a soft laugh.
"But the goats wouldn't taste as good in a cookie."
"That is true," the dragon sighed. "Goat cookies never seem to turn out sweet enough. So if silly plants are what you lot want in exchange for such delectable sweets, than that's what I'll bring."
Once the sack was emptied of herbs and spices, the bakers filled it with the cookies from their cooling racks. They often wondered about the sack, for despite the rough appearance, nothing from within it was ever damaged.
Still, they didn't need such a magical sack when dealing with their regular customers.
Sack filled to the brim, the dragon drew it closed and settled it back securely between his wings.
"As always, a scrumptious exchange," the dragon rumbled, dipping his head to each baker.
They nodded in return, and watched as the dragon lifted off with sure wing beats and disappeared into the blue sky.
"You know, when I got my shop here, I didn't expect a dragon to become my main spice supplier." A young baker named Tom said, still with a slightly bewildered glaze to his eyes. He'd only been a part of the Wyrm Road bakeries for little over a month now.
"None of us expected it," the spokesman for the bakers said as he shook his head, "but who are we to argue with a dragon when he wants to be friendly?"

Friday, January 19, 2018

For Snow


1. Instant icepack if you sprain your ankle.
2. As a toy your dog can eat, and that you don't have to take back when it is all slobbery.
3. It can hide your failed attempts at gardening.
4. As a reason to drink more hot chocolate.
5. It can encourage your cat to stay inside.
6. You can build forts and reenact battle scenes from your favorite books.
7. Because leaving footprints doesn't have to be a summer-on-the-beach type of thing.
8. Shoveling snow is a great exercise for your arms.
9. It is quieter than rain when it falls, and so shouldn't wake the baby.
10. It makes everyone's lawn look good.

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Nothing Heroic


My job was to mend the nets. Nothing heroic about that.
Nope, I wasn't the heroic type.
Now the people who used the nets I mended? They were the heroes.
At least, if you considered people who went out every day to catch dark fairies in magic-neutralizing nets to be heroes.
Everybody in town sure did, even I thought they were crazy trouble seekers.
After all, there wouldn't be so many dark (and light) fairies around the town if the netted fairies were kept out of the town.
For nothing seemed to attract fairies more than their own kind being trapped.
But what we did with netted fairies wasn't my job. Nope, as one of those with the ability to imbue threads with anti-magic properties, all I was supposed to think about was how to make better, stronger nets. Or how to make clothes that protected the wearer from magical harm. Or there was my favorite task of trying to get my anti-magicness to stick to the sheep before they've been sheared, since surely my mumbo-jumbo should be able to effect the coats of living creatures, and not just threads I prepare myself?
I bet those hero-types don't have to explain the limitations of their abilities to the town council every other day.
Nope, they just go out, net a couple dozen fairies, and come back to the cheers of happy townsfolk.
Hooray for them.
Still, I did my part to help keep the town safe. For without the nets that I and the other anti-magic crafters made, those hero-types would have nothing to catch the fairies with.
So perhaps there was something heroic about my job after all.

Friday, January 12, 2018

To Play Basketball


1. It provides a good workout.
2. You'll be able to learn about teamwork.
3. Because layups are fun.
4. It can help you learn how to strategize.
5. You can spend time with friends.
6. Shooting hoops can strengthen your arm muscles.
7. It is easy to learn the basics.
8. There are plenty of variations to the game, and so you'll probably enjoy at least one.
9. You don't have to be a certain age in order to have fun.
10. If all you have is one friend, a hoop, and a ball, then you can still play.

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

The Lizard's Lost Tail


One day, the lizard lost his tail.
He didn't know when he'd lost it, or even where. Still, he decided to go look for it.
After all, a good tail was worth keeping.
And so the lizard set off toward the pond.
Along the way, he met the snake.
"Have you seen my tail?" the lizard asked.
"No," hissed the snake. "I've been looking for my shed skin."
"If I see your skin, I'll let you know," said the lizard, before hurrying on his way.
At the pond, the lizard saw a young duck.
"Have you seen my tail?" the lizard asked again.
"No, I've been looking for my egg tooth," quacked the duck.
"If I see your egg tooth, I'll let you know," said the lizard.
Circling the pond, the lizard stopped at the warm rocks. There, he saw another lizard.
"Have you seen my tail?" he asked.
The other lizard shook her head. "No. Have you seen mine?"
"No, I haven't," said the lizard. "But I think they might be hiding with the snake's skin and the duck's egg tooth."
"Oh," said the other lizard. "Well, at least they aren't alone."

Friday, January 5, 2018

What to do in January


1. Start working on your goals for the year.
2. Figure out what you're going to give for Christmas and birthday presents.
3. Get your hair cut.
4. Start a journal, if you don't already have one.
5. Make a new friend.
6. Begin building better habits.
7. Finally read that book you've been meaning to get to.
8. Clean your room.
9. Exercise more.
10. Find happiness in each day.

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

The World of Mythis: Magicians


In the world of Mythis, there are three known ways for one to become a magician.
The first is to be a magician born. To be filled with magic from the time of birth, and have it grow with you through the passing of time.
A magician born is must be patient, for their magic does not grow stronger through constant practice, but only with time. Therefore, a magician born is most powerful in their later years, and at their must vulnerable in their youth.
The second is to be a magician borrowed. These magicians are given their magic by one of the magician born, through a sharing of magic that binds the two together. Unlike a magician born, a magician borrowed does not increase in power as the age. Instead, they maintain the same amount of magic that was given to them by the magician born.
But when the magician who gave them their magic dies, a magician borrowed loses their magic.
The third is the magician found. Unlike the magicians who are born or borrowed, a magician found receives their magic from ancient artifacts that have been imbued with magic.
So long as they possess the imbued object, these magicians have access to whatever magical abilities the object provides.
Though they are limited in ability, a magician found is the only kind which can reliably pass on their magic to others without the magic fading upon their death.
These three are the only known ways for humans to perform magic in Mythis; though there are rumors of one other way.
Of magicians stolen, who somehow drain other magicians of their magic in order to increase their own abilities.
Is there such a thing as a magician stolen?
Hopefully the world of Mythis will never find fact in such a tale.