The Mysterious Gift

Cassy opened her eyes and sat up in bed. It took her a moment or two to realize it was her birthday, then she sprang out of bed and ran to brush her teeth. She was finally eight years. Cassy  was the type of kid who believed in magical countries and fairies, sea monsters and dragons. But of course, she didn't really expect anything magical as a gift. Cassy skipped down the stairs to find her favourite breakfast waiting for her: pancakes and chocolate sauce! After breakfast, Cassy got to open the gift that her parents gave her. She was delighted when she opened it and found an amethyst pendant lying in a small, red, velvety box. After the excitement died down, the family sat down for lunch since a lot of time had already passed since breakfast.  

Suddenly, their meal was interrupted by a loud knock on the door.

The person standing at the door was most peculiar. She was an old woman with white hair that fell till her shoulders and dark brown eyes. She wore a flowery shirt and dark blue jeans. She wore a straw hat, the type a cowboy would have worn. In her hands there was a brown package with the words 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY CASSY' written on it. She handed it to Cassy's mother and then said "Send my love to Cassy, will you?" "Sure" her mother replied, still standing in the doorway gaping. Cassy was looking out of the window but the woman didn't seem to notice. The woman got onto the cycle beside her and pedalled away not leaving a clue of her identity. As the lady turned and left, Cassy's mother turned to face her and asked, "Do you, by any chance, know her?" "Nope. Not a clue. Can I see the gift though?" Cassy asked. Cassy's mother handed it to her. She grinned from ear to ear and exclaimed " The box is  decorated with topaz, and peradot, and amethyst,and sapphire, and opal, and garnet and drusy quartz!" Her mother knew Cassy loved all types of crystals and rocks. Cassy then finished eating and trudged up to her room.It was only then that Cassy realized a piece of paper sticking out. It read 'Do not tell anybody the use of this box. If you do, it will disappear into thin air.' "Hmm." She thought "I wonder what this queer looking box does". Then a thought struck her. This was all probably magic. How else would  a peculiar woman whom Cassy had never set her eyes on hand her a box decorated with her favourite crystals without even knowing her at all? Finally, after a long time, the day was over. They had invited guest over to their house and went for a drive. Cassy's birthday was coming to an end. She lay on her bed for a while with the box on her bedside table. Then, Cassy reached for it placing her finger on her favorite stone, amethyst. Suddenly, it was like she had pressed a button, a little hole was exposed. Out of the hole fell a tiny capsule containing silver glitter and a very tiny note. Cassy slowly unfolded the note and read it t herself. "Sprinkle it on your favourite stuffed toy" it said. Cassy did that and sat there stunned to silence as the doll blinked twice and sat up. It then ran towards her and hugged her. "Oh, Lily!" Cassy said (Lily was the name of her toy) "Your finally alive! I always dreamed this would happen but I never really thought it would". "Cassy?" Lily whispered "Yay! I can finally talk to you". Cassy then spoke to Lily for a while and told her all about her birthday and the peculiar woman and the box while Lily listened in amazement. Since Cassy was an only child, she didn't always have somebody to talk to but now she had Lily.The next morning, when Cassy woke up, Lily was a stuffed toy again. She had decided not to tell her parents what had happened remembering the first note. As she looked out of the window of her car, she saw the same peculiar old woman dressed exactly the same as when Cassy had seen her last time. " Daddy!" She screamed," Look, the lady! She went right. Daddy can we please follow her? " " Alright Sweetie" Her father said laughing. As they turned around the corner, there was nobody to be seen. There were no houses there so she could not possibly have gone into one and it was a dead end. Cassy and her parent were dumbfounded and I hope you are too!