Once upon a time, a girl was born in a small countryside village. This was the couple’s first child. They named their daughter Anaissa. Anaissa was a beautiful baby girl. Anaissa’s parents, Richard and Lena, noticed something. Their baby didn’t wale aloud at birth. She was alert, eyes wide open, head turning in all directions. Anaissa would forever be different, she had no voice. “Our daughter is beautiful. Light, caramel hair, skin the color of milk, a smile that lights up a banquet. She has no voice to express herself. How will she get through life, dear?” Richard told his wife, Lena. “Richard, Anaissa is five years old now. She has made it this far. She is one of the happiest children in our village.” Lena answered.
While Anaissa’s parents were debating about how she would find her way in life, Anaissa was running through the fields, smelling the flowers, and playing games with other children from the village. “Let’s go up the hill, Anaissa!” Libby yelled. Anaissa smiled and nodded her head in agreement. Libby and Anaissa, along with other village children, ran up the hill and stared at the clouds once on top. “That one looks like a lumpy, fat cow!” said Mark. “That one looks like an odd chicken with big feet.” said Breena. “What things do you see in the clouds, Anaissa?” asked Rachel. “Oh I’m terribly sorry, I forgot you can’t talk.” Rachel said with a hint of sarcasm in her speech. Rachel was 3 years older than Anaissa and her friends. She has an older brother named Nathaniel, and two younger sisters named Mary and Ellie. Anaissa just nodded and looked down the hill. Libby saw this, and said,”Let’s all roll down the hill! Last one down has to clean out the barn!”
All at once the children rolled down the hill. Rachel laid behind Anaissa and pushed her to the side. As Anaissa was rolling down, she suddenly noticed the rocks at the bottom of the hill. She couldn’t stop herself and hit her leg on the rock. Anaissa stood up and dusted herself off. “Are you okay?” asked Libby. Anaissa smiled and nodded. Anaissa waved goodbye to her friends and began to walk back to the village. The sun was now beginning to set. She walked into the barn to visit her favorite horse. Anaissa has always thought that the horse in the last stall was pretty. She named him Kurt. As she walked by the other stalls, she noticed a boy in one of the stalls. It was Nathaniel. Anaissa stepped on a twig and broke it. Nathaniel turned around, spooked. “Oh, hi Anaissa.” Nathaniel said. Anaissa smiled and waved. “Oh goodness, your leg is bleeding!” Nathaniel said. Anaissa looked down and noticed the blood running down, just a few inches above her ankle. “Here.” Nathaniel said wrapping cloth around her leg. Anaissa smiled and put a hand on Nathaniel’s shoulder, making him look up. How desperate Anaissa wished she could say the words “thank you.” It was now about dinner time and Anaissa headed for the barn entrance.
Walking to the entrance, Anaissa noticed that her leg didn’t hurt anymore. She thought it was odd because she bruises very easily. Anaissa unwrapped the cloth from her leg and didn’t see any blood, bumps, or bruises on her skin. She was bewildered and just headed home. Anaissa’s childish mind instantly began to think that Nathaniel had “healing” powers because of all the books she has read. Anything can happen, and maybe Nathaniel does have some magic powers. Anaissa arrived home and began to think of her day. She saw her mother and ran to hug her. “Hi dear,” Lena said “you look like you’ve had a good day.” Anaissa smiled and hugged tighter. She truly felt loved and cared for in her mother’s arms. Lena was someone that Anaissa truly admired and will always look up to. Anaissa also has a younger sister, Alex, who was now two years old. Time flies and everyone grows up, some people grow faster than others. We must all learn to take on responsibilities.
Ten years later, Anaissa would become a different person. She would still have the characteristics of being strong, bold, lovely, and true. And, of course, she still loved to write. One day, after dinner, Anaissa headed to her bookshelf and pulled out her writing book. Anaissa was nothing without her pen, ink, and paper. She loved to write. Her favorite place to write was on the hill outside of their village. She also loved to write in her room. Anaissa was about to write when Lena knocked on the door. “Dear, may I speak with you?” Lena asked. Anaissa stood and unlocked the door. They sat on Anaissa’s bed and Lena said,”Dear, I’m going away.” Anaissa grabbed a paper and wrote,”where?” “I’m going far across the sea. For my mother is sick and I must see her. I’ll be back in 2 weeks time.” Anaissa wrote,” I will miss you, Mama.” “I will too. While I’m gone, you must help your father and look after your sister, Anaissa.” Anaissa wrote,”I will. When will you be leaving?” “In a few days.” Lena answered. Anaissa and her mother sat and hugged in silence. A few days later, Lena headed for the port. A ship headed north carrying passengers, as well as goods, was departing that afternoon. Richard, Alex, and Anaissa took her to the port. Anaissa was taken by the hand by her mother. Lena said,”I love you Anaissa. No matter what, be the strong, beautiful girl you are. Continue to write because it is your love, continue to smile.” Anaissa took out her paper and wrote,” I love you so much mother. Thank you for telling me the sweet things that you do. I promise you that I will always do my best, because it is what you taught me.” They hugged and moments later the ship was off. Little did Anaissa know that it would be the last time she would see her mother.
A pirate ship blasted cannon balls through the ship and seized the goods aboard. Lena’s family received the news three weeks later. Anaissa was now the woman of the house. She had to do all the cleaning, cooking, washing, sewing, and all the other female responsibilities. Lena’s death wasn’t the only tragic news of the village. Nathaniel’s father was also aboard the ship. Now Nathaniel was the man of the his household. Anaissa was now 15 and Nathaniel was 18. They had many similarities. Anaissa never forgot the day, which was years ago, when Nathaniel “healed” her. She never had the courage to ask him, but she was always curious.
One day, the town crier, Sam, came and made an official announcement. The royal family was hosting the annual Valley Ball. All the village was invited. The Prince would be there, and it is known that he keeps an eye on the young village ladies. Anaissa heard this and walked home. She couldn’t possibly go, she is always busy and she now afraid of male attention due to her abusive father. Anaissa can’t speak, she can’t say what is happening. She hardly attends social events. Nathaniel was the same way. He was spoken bad about by all the other men of the village. He didn’t care. They were nothing more than friends, older siblings, and parent figures to their younger siblings. Nathaniel realized that he loved Anaissa. He heard of one person who could truly change her life forever, and he was willing to give anything for the chance to change her life.
Jack the Sorcerer, was heard to have a potion for everything. He was feared. If you didn’t appeal to him, he would curse you. Nathaniel decided to leave his home and travel into the forest in search of Jack. After hours of walking, there was a sudden flash of light. Jack appeared sitting on a tree branch and said,”Hello there, I know you are looking for me. What is it you seek?” Nathaniel said,”I want to ask you to make a potion for me. It’s for my love, who was born with no voice.” Jack said,”A speaking potion? Is that all you seek? Wouldn’t you want to strength increasing potion for your scrawny self? Jack said. “I don’t care what you say to me, I just ask a speaking potion of you.” Nathaniel said. “Fine. You asked kindly and you shall receive your potion. In return, something will surprise you. You will never see it coming, but something will happen.”
Nathaniel returned to the village with the potion. He planned to put it in a drink and give it to Anaissa at the Valley Ball. Nathaniel had to ask Anaissa to the Ball first. Nathaniel knew of the only actual private place where he could find her and ask her. The next day, before dinner, Nathaniel headed to the hill where he knew Anaissa would sit, write, and watch the sunset. He saw her, sitting peacefully on the hill. As he began to walk up the hill, he noticed that Anaissa was crying. He approached her and said,”Hello Anaissa.” Anaissa turned and wiped her face. Nathaniel said,”May I sit next to you?” Anaissa nodded and patted the ground next to her, signaling him to sit next to her. Nathaniel sat next to her and looked at the, now orange-pinkish sky. “The sunset is absolutely stunning today.” Nathaniel said. Anaissa took out her pen and paper and wrote,”It truly is. The sunset is remarkable this time of year.” Nathaniel was someone Anaissa felt comfortable with. ”I would love to take you to the Valley Ball, Anaissa.” Nathaniel said with a brilliant, bright smile. Anaissa was shocked, she has never been asked to the Ball. She quickly wrote,”I’d loved to go! I will have to work hard and make a dress. Thank you Nathaniel!” Anaissa gave Nathaniel a long hug.
The evening of the Valley Ball, Anaissa looked stunning. She made her dress and was ready for the Ball. Nathaniel looked amazing in his finest clothes. Nathaniel and Anaissa danced the evening away. Once it was over, Nathaniel led Anaissa to the hill once again. They sat on the grass and stared at the moon. “Would you like something to drink?” Nathaniel asked. Anaiss nodded and was handed a small jug. Nathaniel mixed the potion in with water. He couldn’t stop staring at Anaissa, he was so anxious to see if the potion worked. Anaissa saw this and turned to face Nathaniel, but instead she was met with Nathaniel’s lips. They kissed. Once they pulled apart, Anaissa said,”Thank you for that amazing night.” They both sat stunned! Anaissa spoke. She had a voice. “How could this be?” Anaissa exclaimed. Nathaniel was still stunned and finally said,”I met with Jack the Sorcerer. He gave me the potion.” “Oh Nathaniel! You know Jack is nothing but a trickster. What if he curses you?” Anaissa said worried. “I don’t mind, Anaissa. You are worth it. I would die for someone like you.” After hearing this, Anaissa was now in tears. Nathaniel and Anaissa hugged. A few years later, Nathaniel and Anaissa were married. They were young and in love. They lived happily ever after.
