Would you rather be quick or strong?

Easter Sunday Blake and his best buds had a great time telling MaaMaa what they would take into the forest to feel safe. Blake said a BB gun because right now he likes shooting BB's at a target. Cousin Mattie said a Lego sword and Kyle & Josh weren't sure. MaaMaa said she'd take a monkey and an elephant. Why? said the curious boys? " MaaMaa sat down ready to tell the tale.

"this image is from a Tibetian Prayer Rug and the story is taken from an Oriental fairy-tale. "

" The monkey would jump on the elephants back. The elephant would charge through the forest and all the other animals would be frightened by the size and strength of the elephant. They would be scared because the monkey could quickly climb up a tree and swing from the branches. The other animals would be so scared they'd try to trip the elephant into falling in a large ash hole. Guess what happened?" said MaaMaa. "The monkey saw the hole, swang from the tree, landed on the elephants back, warned the elephant and saved them both. " and from that time, long ago in a far away land, the elephant was known for its strength and the monkey for his quickness."

My latest tale just for you.

Love & Purrs, Tankene Ice Mist

Sweet Peas

At twilight of St. Patrick Day's Eve-- the trees hold roosting birds, nesting squirrels and the raccoons climb down the redwoods in search of tidbits, skunks eat at the cat dish. The moon is a bright sliver of light above your head. Pull out your old lamp, slip on your gardening gloves, quietly open the door and go out in the arriving night's air. Plant Sweet Pea seeds in the soft, cool earth. If you truly believe as we do, you will see the flowers enhanced by the power of this Irish Saint, St. Patrick. Long about May you will be the recipient of magic as you gaze at abundant blooms and your senses inhale heavenly perfume.
Aye' the blessings of being a good Christian Cat-Living me young life at a place such as Sparklewood and following the ancient ways of Ole' Wood and Wee Woman ( MaaMaa).
Purrs, Tankene Ice Mist

Childhood Magic

Have you a memory from childhood that seems magical even now?I still remember the small trap door at the top of the stairs of Aunt Millie and Uncle Lloyde's house. The door swung open much like a window.All the cousins would line up. One brave soul would peak in, see darkness and monsters and dare the next one in line. We would run down the steep stairs as fast as our chubby, toddler legs would carry us nearly sailing down on our behinds, laughing the laugh of relief that the goblins hadn't decide to gobble us up this time.
I had the opportunity of showing this to my own children and it still looked scary some 30 years later! Such is the stuff of memory.
Purrs, Tankene Ice Mist

White Trout

 A nightime story told to Blake on Sept. 21, 2010 by Nona.

      Not long ago lived ol' Wood and his wee wife in a place called Sparklewood.Ol' Wood felt low down likening his troubles to the darkness of the bog. An ancient fairy voice whispered to wee wife and she gathered her white shawl, gnarled walking stick and her spirit cat, Tankene. Off they traveled, twilight coming on, searching for the cure for ol' Wood. Little did they know but ten fairies were gathered together at the round mound for a celebration. Ten fiddlers and singers were tuning and humming and strumming. Wee wife was on the trail to the river when she stumbled on a flat rock and heard the buzzing, much like a happy bee, of the fairie's music.  So sweet the sounds and soon wee wife felt sleepy."Aaha  my dear Tankene, let me rest a spell " and she fell into a deep slumber, slumping on top of the rock. Ten fairies jumped out of the round mound, angry that wee wife was sleeping on their chimney rock and there would be no fire to warm the hearth if she stayed asleep long.
      Tankene  gazed at the Full Moon and saw the reflection of a White Trout in the river below. "There is the cure for ol' Wood." purred Tankene.
       The ten fairies gathered on the bank and looking below saw the White Trout swimming just beneath the water.
       "We must catch White Trout to cure 'ol' Wood " meowed Tankene.
        Wouldn't you know but at that very moment, Tankene's pink nose smushed into a spinning spider's web and some of the silky threads covered his face
      "Let's make a fishing pole and catch the White Trout " exclaimed the ten Fairies. So the tenth and fairest fairy  pulled out her trusty spinning wheel, spun a fine line from the spider's gossamer threads and strung it on the fiddle's bow.
         Tankene's golden eyes reflected the White Trout and Full Moon. Sparkles lit up the water below as White trout swam slowly by the bank. Tankene softly scraped the damp earth with his feathery, pink paws and the tiniest of earthworms came up for a peek.
       "Would you be willing to help us? wondered Tankene.
       "Indeed as long as the White Trout doesn't really swallow me," retorted the worm." Indeed!" said he all the while slowly uncurling and slithering into the hand of the tenth fairy.
      Strong fairy magic cast the pole with the worm as bait and the White Trout took a bite.Well as you were wishing, the tenth fairy caught the White Trout's reflection. Numbers  nine, eight, seven, six,and  five gently placed it on a golden platter. Fairy four, three and two wrapped it up with dew and the first fairy placed it in a  knapsack full of grassy down. Right quick they were all tramping back up the trail to the wee wife. Snoring soundly was she, dreaming wee wife dreams of Sparklewood.
       Ten fairies and Tankene make quite a ruckus and she awoke with a  loud snort."Ahha' my fine, fey friends, you have brought me the blessings of the White Trout and now I can save me ol' Wood. I thank thee for your fairy gift! "
 and as the old ones like to say ol' Wood was cured..