Folksburywoods Story Blog

“A penny for your thoughts, my deary,” said the creature as the girl passed.

“Why should I give you anything, even for money? Anyone can see you’re up to no good, and I should stay clear of your kind,” snapped the girl.

“Perhaps a potion then. I only wish to know your deepest desire, and in exchange, I shall bestow upon you eternal life,” replied the goblin.

The girl paused a moment and glanced at the creature. “You think you’re smart for offering me eternal life when, in reality, you offer a never-ending life of pain, suffering, and slow decay of my very bones,” she said.

“My, my, you’re as smart as you are beautiful. I shall give you the potion for free and add a lifetime supply of gold to live as a queen. Now tell me your deepest desire,” said the goblin.

“I want none of what you’re offering. Go and leave me in peace, you evil little imp.” scolded the girl.

“I could turn you into a toad and leave you here for the remainder of your days,” retorted the beast as his temper flared.

The girl became afraid, knowing his threats were genuine, but rather than lose her head, she thought a moment, then smiled a sly grin and said, “You can’t have what you want unless I give it of my free will, can you?”

“You foolish child, I would have given anything you wanted, but now I shall give you nothing but regret,” boomed the goblin and vanished in a cloud of dust with a wave of his hand.

The girl resumed her homeward trek filled with a deep sense of joy, not regret. Her grandfather once told her a tale of the boy who got everything he wanted and died a miserable old man.

“What luck for me to know that true joy comes from the love of one’s family and friends, and no amount of money can buy that, not even a lifetime’s worth of gold,” said the girl to herself, and she gingerly skipped home.