We had the strangest feeling as we looked to the North. It was as if the whole forest was moving and coming towards us. Slowly, we could make out the comical figure of a harried man, with a top hat befitting a wizard, running in front of the blackness, dashing madly as if death itself was behind him. A minute later we spied the sprightly shadow of a cat and it was soon evident that the magician was pursued not by an onerous monster, but a wee cat!
Winter Fairy and I were grappling with a fit of laughter as the man in a wizard hat dashed past us, into the comforting circle of trees that was doused in the golden light of sunset. Soon the cat, in it's black fur, and startling blue eyes was in front of us, paused as if considering something, and then stopped down.
Convinced that the cat was harmless, I approached her cautiously. She sat on her haunches, watching me with an air of confidence that belied the trembling fur on her body. She purred frightfully as I bent down and reached for her, but slowly snuggled into my arms.
For a few minutes I was paralysed and surprised that I did not throw her out of my hands in fright. This little cat had just spoken to me, as a human would. As if in a daze, I found myself listening to her tiny voice. She was not pursuing the wizard out of malice, but simply trying to explain to him that she was not some evil manifestation. She explained to us how one of the wizards experiments had given her speech. She had kept this a secret for ever so long and had finally taken a chance and spoken to the startled old man a few minutes earlier. I couldn't help smiling as she described how the wizard had burst out of his hut, running like the wind, stark fear evident in his every stride. I sobered down as I noticed the pearl sized tears filling the cats eyes.
I turned towards the trees where the wizard had taken refuge and I could see that he was listening to the cat's story. I made my way cautiously towards him, Winter fairy at my side, not wanting to frighten the quaint cat, or the fidgety wizard.
We were almost at arms length from him, when the wizard leapt out from behind his hiding place, and strode towards us mumbling and muttering, "That spell - always, always getting me into problems. Oh dear, oh dear. I shall never again alter it. But what a cat to give me a fright. A poor old wizard like me. And how they laughed. Oh, this cat." The rest of his soliloquy was obscure.
He was at our side now and he quickly took cat out of my arms and bowed down low to us. He continued walking towards the forest, holding cat gently, and muttering to her. I saw him look back once, a twinkle in his eye and a merry smile on his lips. And then he was lost in the dense greens of the forest.
I have learnt since then that the clumsy, comical wizard is more than that. He has a reputation of being one of the most powerful magicians of this land and beyond; perhaps of this time and beyond. Winter fairy narrates stories of great battles that have been won because of him. There is a desire now, deep in my heart, to meet the wizard and to be friends with him. I believe he will have the most interesting stories to tell. But more than that - I think of that twinkle in his eye and I know that we must be friends - I feel it in my bones. Winter fairy will have nothing to do with it and thinks I am unhinged. She says wizards are best left alone. I don't think so. I think the wizard and I will be the best of friends...
Today, I find myself walking into the Northern forest and approach a lopsided cottage. I am excited as I knock on the rickety door in front of me.
A familiar white hat and blue robe welcome me inside. Beyond at the tiny table laid out with scrumptious looking food is an old man.
"Welcome, child, " he lifted his goblet, "to happy times."
I walked in and gave him a hug. This was the start of a wonderful friendship"
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