Folksburywoods Story Blog

The Ursala Wise Woman rose before dawn, shifted the gain to remove the chaff, and stepped out her door to a commotion of honks, hoots, and squawks.

“Alright, my pretties. Calm down and wait your turn. There’s enough for all,” said Ursala, pouring heaps of grain here and there.

Suddenly, the other birds became skittish when Ronan the hawk swooped in and landed on the water barrel. “What’s up with you lot? It’s only the prince come for his breakfast. Here, your majesty. I hope it’s to your liking,” teased the Wise Woman as she handed the hawk a venison strip.

After feeding the beasties, Ursala brought her breakfast of boiled oats and barley tea and sat with the birds. ” Maximilian dearest, where is your mate Millie?” asked the Wise Woman to the swan.

The swan dipped its head several times to indicate the female was nesting and would not be here today. “I do hope we get a black cygnet this year. I would love to give it to the Fern. She loves such oddities,” remarked Ursala to the cob.

Ronan stretched his wings, gave a screaming kee-eeeee-arr, and took flight. “I see Ronan has a thorn in his bum,” chuckled the woman.

“Best clear things up. I need to fetch mushrooms for Angus’s tonic. I can’t have him wheezing on his oil lamp, or he’ll blow it out. Will you be joining me as usual?” said Ursala to the raven Toto.

The bird gave a loud caw and a wave of his head to indicate he would love to.

As the Wise Woman was about to depart, Theo, the owl, flew up to her, and the two carried on a conversation of hoots regarding the wizard Arcon requesting wormwart for his cough.

“Tell the old buzzard I’ll drop it off on the way back from the woods,” said Ursala to Theo, who promptly flew back to his master.

Toto circled overhead, looking for fairy rings. When he spotted one, he called to the Wise Woman as he circled the area.

“Toto, we mustn’t forget to ask the queen for permission to harvest a few, or we might find mold on your grain in the morning,” reminded the Wise Woman.

After bowing low, the bird cooed softly, then, using his razor-sharp bill, snipped several mushrooms from the ring that Ursala placed in her wicker basket.

“Time we were off to Arcon’s before his cough brings down his roof. I’ve never known such a stubborn mule. He needs a bit of honey, but the old buzzard insists on worm wort,” said Ursal, causing the raven to give a laugh that caused Ursala to smile as well.

Upon returning, the Wise Woman fed her birds, poured a cup of mint tea, and got busy making Angus’s tonic. By sunset, the bottled liquid sat on the table, ready for the miner to pick up on his way to work.

“A quick forty winks while I wait for Angus,” said the Wise Woman. Later, her eyes fluttered open to see a large basket of bread where the tonic had set.

“My, I overslept. Best to warm the soup,” remarked the woman.

As the fireflies lit the night, Ursala shuttered her door, blew out the candle, and lay down for a well-earned rest. Dillard, the dove, cooed her to sleep as thanks for her devotion to feeding the birds.