Among her new year resolutions, Janet decided she would spend less time in her imaginary world and engage more in the ‘real’ world. She understood about new year resolutions because she’d heard her mother tell her father that he should adopt one or two, and here were her suggestions. By the look on her father’s face, Janet had the impression they weren’t what he himself had in mind.
Janet shrugged on her thick coat, wrapped around her neck the new scarf Santa had brought her, pulled on her fleece-lined boots and slipped out the back gate into the trees.
When she reached the willow, bare of leaves this time of year but still providing cosy shelter against its gnarled girth, she sat on the leaf-mulched ground and pulled her knees to her chest. She closed her eyes, and with heavy sadness said goodbye to Dragon, leaned forward to whisper farewell into Pixie’s pointy ear, and hugged Fairy carefully to avoid squashing her delicate gauzy wings.
The three gazed at her with sad eyes. Of course they didn’t want her to leave them here without their leader. Who would lead them into battle, defeating the evil goblin king who harassed them constantly from his dark home under the roots of the neighbouring oak? Who would sing silly songs to them, lightening the rain-sodden days? Who would bring picnics of apples and cheese, spread them on the chequered tea-towel and feed each one a morsel. Dragon generally turned up his nose at apple and cheese, but today, Janet sensed he would be grateful because it meant she was with him.
Janet heaved a great sigh. Did she really need to spend more time in the ‘real’ world? She thought about school, which she had started just this autumn. It was okay, but the boys and girls she met there weren’t a patch on Dragon, Pixie and Fairy. The teacher, however, was a different matter. He had a look in his eye which reminded Janet of a magician she had once met. He had been visiting her father the king’s court (when Janet was being Princess Janet) and he had been kind to her and showed her a magic trick or two which had come in handy later – like being able to blend into the scenery so you were pretty much invisible.
Pixie clambered on to Janet’s lap, forcing her to put her knees down. He made his way up her body to sit on her shoulder and leaned his high pale forehead against Janet’s. It was his way of comforting her. Fairy hovered at her other shoulder, fluttering wings sending a shimmering rainbow to light the shadows under the willow. And here was Dragon, looming over her, snorting tiny sparks of flame to warm them all.
Janet looked from one to other. And made up her mind. She stood, laid her hand on Dragon’s scaly neck and led him, Pixie and Fairy out from under the tree. They followed happily enough, given it was their first time away from the hanging branches. Their excitement trembled in the cold air with the promise of adventures to come.
Janet nodded. ‘Come on,’ she said. ‘The king and queen await us. There are deeds to be done in the real world, and as a princess of the realm, it’s my duty to lead the way.’
She clambered on to Dragon’s back. With Pixie sat before her and Fairy lightly dancing in the air in time to Dragon’s sweeping wings, Janet and her company of adventurers rose above the woods to fulfil her resolution to spend more time in the real world.
Far below, the goblin king stared out from between the black roots of his castle, and smiled. He’d trained the princess well. Now she had skills to fight the demons of that embattled real world.
(Continued here)
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Children just love fantasies, don’t they? What a lovely story.
Here’s mine:
AMONG HER NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS, JANET DECIDED THAT….
Among her New Year’s resolutions, Janet decided that she was going to become a professional hang glider.
It didn’t matter that she had never done it before – or any activity remotely associated with the sport, for that matter.
However, she had seen pictures of people, supported by colourful contraptions, in magazines and had decided that this was to be her destiny.
So here it was, New Year’s Day, and nine-year-old Janet was telling all and sundry of her vocational desire.
Her mother smiled knowingly. Janet had made these New Year resolutions before. Last year, it was an astronaut. The year before, a circus ringmaster.
She knew her child possessed a vivid imagination and always felt loathe to discourage her dreams.
If the truth be known, Janet’s mother envied her ability to live such fantasies – something she had never done as a child.
It was hard, but Janet’s mother was obliged to admit to herself that her daughter’s dreaming came from her husband’s side of the family.
He was an artist – with a wonderful ability to bring fantasy worlds to life with his masterful brushstrokes.
Janet was already showing considerable ability with her constant sketching. Her dreams of somewhat unusual career choices merely added another dimension.
“That’s nice, dear,” her mother said placatingly. “Have you thought about how you might to start learning?”
“Well, no – yes,” Janet replied. “I thought you and Dad might pay for lessons.”
“Did you now?”
“Yes, you know, can’t be all that expensive. I mean, we don’t have to buy a hang glider or anything. I’m sure there are hang gliding schools that provide all the equipment.”
Janet’s mother had visions of her little girl launching herself of some cliff to catch the prevailing air currents and shuddered.
“Well, I’ll talk to your father and see what he has to say,” she said, knowing full well what the answer would be.
“Ok, mum,” Janet said, as she headed outside to play.
The next item on her agenda was how to become a Nobel Prize winner. Maybe she could invent a cure for the common cold, Janet thought, as she climbed aboard her bike to ride around the yard.