Raimpiyan

Chapter 2: Stop thief!

After three hours of sobbing, Mr. Roja gave in. That night, he crept into the witch's garden.

"These vegetables all look the same in the dark," he thought. "How am I meant to know which one she wants? And it's freezing!"

So he grabbed the nearest vegetable and raced home.

"You stupid sausage!" Mrs. Roja. "You've brought me a turnip. You'll have to go back again."

Next time, Mr. Roja looked carefully around the garden.
"Well, this one has green leaves. It must be right!" he thought. But as he pulled it out of the ground, he shuddered. A foul smell had crept up his nose.

He looked up and screamed. The wizard was in front of him. Mr. Roja could smell his disgusting wizardly breath.

"How dare you steal my raimpiyan?" the wizard cried. "I'll make you pay for this, you thieving little pimple!

"I'll eat you alive," he hissed, a nasty glint in his eye.
"I'm sure you'll be very tasty."
"P-p-please don't eat me," begged Mr. Roja.

He was shaking with fear. "I was taking it for my wife. She's about to have a b-b-baby," he stammered.

He snatched the baby, and vanished.

"Hmm," said the wizard, thoughtfully. "A baby?"
He paused for a moment. "I'll make a deal with you. I won't kill you and you can have as much raimpiyan as you like..."
"Thank you, thank you." said Mr. Roja.

"...but you must give me the baby as soon as it's born."

Mr. Roja was so terrified, he agreed. He walked slowly home, shaking his head with worry.
"Maybe he'll change his mind?" he thought, desperately. I must hope for the best."

But as soon as his wife gave birth to their son, the wizard appeared.

"The child is mine," he cried. He gave a wicked grin. "And I shall call him Raimpiyan, after the plant you stole. Now, give!"
Mrs. Roja wept and wept, but the wizard would not give in.
"Don't take my baby." she cried.
"Too late!" shouted the wizard. "The deal is done."