Someone Mourns The Wicked

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Glinda walked through the bricked streets of the Emerald city, smiling and waving to everyone she passed. She was used to being stopped by Ozians who wished to thank her for all she had done for Oz. Although today it was extremely busy and she couldn't walk two steps without receiving a kiss on the hand or having to curtesy.

Eventually she made it to the source of the hustle and bustle in the city. The city square was alive and full of colour. People were dancing and celebrating while others ran booths and games for little children. One caught her eye were little children would be blindfolded and handed a bat to hit a green womanly figure hanging from a tree. She winced as one little boy forcefully whacked the figure across the face leaving a giant dent in it's place.

Suddenly she felt a tug on her dress and looked down to see a little girl who couldn't have been older than six sucking her thumb. With the other hand she had a tight grip of Glinda's dress.

"Hello little girl," Glinda kneeled down as to be closer to the child "what's your name?"

The little girl pulled out her thumb from her mouth and looked in Glinda's eyes.

"My name is Ora, Miss Glinda," she said quickly before placing her thumb back in between her lips.

"What a beautiful name. Are you having a good time playing at the stalls, Ora?" Glinda asked.

The girl shook her head without removing her thumb.

"Why not? There's lots of fun games to play here!" she gestured to the square surrounding them.

"But Mama and Papa don't have any coins for me to play games,"

Glinda eyes followed to where Ora had pointed and spotted a young couple.

The woman was cradling a baby and the man was chatting to someone. Both looked slightly grubby as if they hadn't washed in a few weeks. Her heart sank as she looked back to Ora's sad face. A small smile spread across Glinda's face as she took Ora's small hand in hers.

"I'm sure if we ask very nicely somebody will let us play. Now what game looks the most fun?" She asked.

Ora didn't answer but instead tugged the witch along through the crowd to a small booth. A man behind the counter smiled at the pair.

"Ah Glinda, how lovely to see you! And who do we have here?" He asked smiling down at Ora.

"This is Ora and we would be very happy if we could play your game" Glinda said.

"Why of course. No charge for you Glinda!"

Ora's face lit up as she was handed three little balls.

"Now all you ladies have to do is knock down the wicked witch and win a prize."

Glinda examined the tin cans that had little green faces stuck on them. Any other day she wouldn't be attempting to hit her old friend in the face but she knew just to ignore it and pretended that she was having fun. Ora threw the first ball with as much strength as she could muster. However it was not enough and the ball fell before it could reach the cans.

"Try again Ora. Really throw it!"

The little girls eyes narrowed as she put all her effort into knocking down the cans. She tried once more and barely missed the cans. On her last try she managed to hit the cans but did not knock them down.

"Ohh sorry but you didn't win." the man said.

Ora's shoulders slumped as she looked longingly looked at a plush doll that hung above their heads. Glinda was not going to stop until Ora received a toy.

"My turn" the blonde witch chimed.

She handed Ora her wand and took the three balls. She aimed for the cans and threw the ball only to miss drastically. She let out a light giggle.

"Seems my aims a bit off."

She stood back a little and aimed again.

By now she had attracted the views of many others. She swung her arm around a few times before throwing it like a baseball player. The ball flew towards the stall owner causing him to duck to the ground. It then hit of the walls a few times before finding it's way to the cans and knocking them all over. Everyone in the square watching cheered as she returned the final ball to the stand. Ora jumped around with her hands in the air.

"Well done Miss Glinda! You won the doll!"

The witch took her prize and kneeled down to Ora.

"It's a shame though. I'm far too busy to take care of this doll. She needs a little girl who can spend lots of time with her and love her. Do you think you could do that for me, Ora?"

The little girl nodded and grinned as Glinda passed her the doll.

"Thank you so much!" She said before running off to show her parents.

Glinda smiled and picked up her wand that was now lying on the ground. She thanked the kind man before making her way back through the streets.

As she walked she was stopped by a beggar asking for spare change. She reached into her small pouch she carried with her and pulled out a few coins which she let fall into his tin can. The man thanked her and she continued on the way not thinking much about the situation.