T.J.'s Fairy Tale Page

A Fairy Tale

Once upon a time, in a far distant land, lived a powerful mage. This mage knew the wisdom of the ages, and had kings and emperors coming to him for advice and guidance. But the mage was lonley, as men of power often are. So he devised a plan to create a companion for himself, and set about finding the materials. While looking through one of his older tomes, he discovered an incantation to cast upon a statue that would bring it to life. He then began searching for an artisan that could create a statue that would be as lifelike as possible.

Several miles down the road lived a sculptor of renown. He had grown rich creating sculptures for the wealthy, and was regarded as the greatest sculptor to ever live. One day, while working in his workshop, a man in a long dark robe came in and inquired about having a statue made. The sculptor asked him for some information as to the size, shape, and general features of the statue. The man stressed that the statue needed to be as lifelike as possible. The sculptor said that he would have to pay for half of the statue in advance and the rest when it was completed in a week. The man agreed, paid the sculptor, and left.

A week went by, and the robed man returned to pay for the rest of the statue and arrange to have it transported to his home. Upon seeing the statue, and the exquisite work that had been done, the man insisted that the sculptor accept a gift, a small jade carving of a cat. The man told the sculptor that in times of need, the cat would become animated and protect the sculptor and his family. The sculptor was overcome with joy at his fortune, realising that he had just performed a service for a powerful mage in the employment of several kings. After the man left, the sculptor ran home and told his family of what had happened.

Meanwhile, back at home, the mage began the arduous task of bringing the statue to life. He painted a circle in his dungeon, complete with arcane symbols, placed the statue in the center, and began his incantation. After several minutes, the circle began to glow, and the statue started showing signs of animation. Suddenly, there was a huge blast of hot air, and the room began to fill with a smokey haze. The mage, joyed that his incantation had worked, began casting the second part of his incantation, giving his newly aquired companion undying loyalty to him. Upon completing it, the smoke cleared, and there, upon the floor, was a beautiful young maiden, wrapped in a cloak. She stirred, saw the mage, and immediately fell to her knees in front of him. He genly laid his hand on her shoulder, asking her to rise and follow him, which she obediantly did.

At home, the sculptor placed the jade cat upon his mantle, facing the door. Over the next several years, the cat protected the family from people trying to aquire the riches that he had earned. Eventually, the sculptor retired, and moved his family into the country, far from the crime of the city. There, they lived happily ever after, with the jade cat never having to perform it's duties. Throughout the ages, the cat was passed down from generation to generation, protecting the family forever.

The mage also found happiness. His creation became his best friend, and they married on the one year anniversary of her "birth". The mage grew old, but the woman remained young. He eventually died, and it is said that she still walks the halls of her masters home, awaiting the time when he will be reborn and they can continue their lives for eternity.

The End!