The Bird Witch (Dark Fairy Tale Queens - Book 5)

Episode 2 - Part 4

"I don't like the idea of sending him alone."

"He'll be safe," Beauty says. "I promise you that."

"Why would someone buy the cow from him?"

"Because he's a child. And from what I saw last night, a good child. Shockingly. He'll get somebody's compassion."

"He'll get cheated, is what he'll get."

"Give him a chance. He wants to help."

She may be right. Jack stands in front of the cottage, holding the cow's rope and looking eager. The village hates me, but they don't hate Jack.

I kiss his head and wish him luck. Watch him trek down the hill until he turns the bend. Beauty has gathered up some rocks and carries them into the house with her. She turns them into a number of useful items, such as a second bed, a braided rug for the floor, a large soup pot. She checks my wardrobe and gives me two new gowns – a bit country-looking, but at least in bright colors, which I like. Plus some new shirts and trousers for Jack.

"Are you satisfied?" Beauty asked glumly.

I frown. "It all looks so... ordinary. Can't you give me fancy stuff?"

"That wouldn't be fitting. You're not rich anymore."

"Well, I could be! You could've turned those stones into piles of gold! Or made me a magic cupboard that always has food. Why can't you get more creative?"

"We're supposed to stick to the natural way of things as much as possible," Beauty says. "If you had a magic cupboard, the first person who found out would try to steal it from you. You'd have to guard it, night and day, which would cause you constant stress. Same with the piles of gold. I'm not using extraordinary magic on you unless I have to."

I look around at the new stuff, not hating it, just not excited. "Well... I'm afraid ORDINARY magic isn't too satisfying."

"Then think about what would be!" Beauty snaps, tossing a quilt onto the new bed. "I've only got until tomorrow to make you happy."

"Oh, and then you FAIL?" I try to smirk but find I can't. She's leaving TOMORROW? What'll we do then? Spend the money Jack gets for the cow, I guess. Then sell all this stuff she just gave me.

Then starve again.

Jack returns that evening with a proud grin that makes me hopeful. Until I see WHAT he's accepted as payment for the old cow.

"They're magic beans!" he cries, showing me five extremely ordinary lima beans in his hand. "A peddler sold them to me! If we plant them, we'll never go hungry again!"

"Jack! Oh! Jack!" I've never screamed at him and won't do it now. But I can barely contain my anguish. "Jack, these are just beans! Lima beans! These aren't magic, sweetie!"

"Sure they are! He swore it!" Jack says.

I force my voice to stay calm. "Give them here." Sensing my anger, Jack looks crestfallen as he drops the beans into my hand. I stand up, turning slowly, then hurl the beans at Beauty's face. "Here's what your BRAINLESS ideas have gotten me, you BRAT!" The beans pelt her and she flinches.

"Ma - stop!" Jack cries.

"Yes, stop. Your behavior is bothering your child," Beauty says.

"It's going to bother him MORE when there's NO FOOD! NOW WHAT DO WE DO?"

"Calm... down," Beauty says firmly. "I can give you the price of the cow."

"NO! That won't MATTER, don't you get it? Unless you can give me piles of gold, nothing you do MATTERS! It'll just run out!"