The magical gifts of the Yule Witch

Once upon a Yuletide night, during the most magical and festive week of the year, all the little lads and lasses of the little town of Lunar valley were getting prepared to receive a most magical guest.

The arrival of the Yule Witch was upon them. The children had spent all the autumn season gathering all the chestnuts in the forest, for this was needed for the yule tradition to begin.

The yule festival would go like this: Once the sun would start to set, a shadow in the mist would be seen, the little yule witch would fly down to town, offering a Yuletide gift in exchange for a single chestnut that she would use to make a large batch of chestnut stew.

She was truly a holiday favorite and the townsfolk welcomed her with open arms every year, and now that time had come as the snow stuck to the grounds and trees and the wind was icy. It was time for the yuletide blessing.

The sun was setting and the children patiently waited and then out of the sun’s shadow a little flying witch was seen flying in the sky. She was a cute sight to see.

When she would land in the town square, the children would be all giddy as they grabbed their baskets and scurried to greet her.

With her little bristol broom in one hand and her wand in tow in the other, all set to fulfill the wishes of all the boys and girls.

“Gather’ round everyone, for it is wish time! Remember the rules: One chestnut from your basket and I will bestow you one wish. One wish and one wish only, no more, no less.” The little pink cheeked witch said

The children lined up single fill, one by one with baskets in hand ready to start the magical trade. The first child walked up to the little Witch, he raised his basket that contained on single chestnut up to the Witch.

She reached into the basket and grabbed the offering, she smiled and said “Thank you for your gift my good lad. Now, what can I gift you in return? One gift for you and one gift only!”

With his basket still out, he gave her a big smile on his small face, he took a moment and then said “Festive Miss, Yule Witch, please, Oh please, may i have a basket full of raspberry sweets!?”

The Witch nodded gently and then swung her wand once, twice and “POOF” the basket was full of bright, red sweets just as he wished.

“Here is your gift my tear lad, have a festive yuletide!” She squeaked.

After that, all the children followed one by one, exchanging a single, small chestnut for all sorts of gifts.

Some asked for toys, while others asked for sweets and all kinds of yummy treats. There was even one child who asked for a fancy tea so that she could share it with all her friends and family.

All were happy and cherrie, the town full of laughter and joy, even the adults had joined the celebration, starting to dance around to the music being played, it filled the air with a lovely melody that could even make a tree golblin happy.

As the town became more festive the moon started to shine, it was now time for the little Witch to head back up to her hut deep in the white winter forest. She grabbed her own basket, now full of chestnuts, wiggled her nose, picked up her broom and was about to mount it when a sudden unusual sound took her by surprise.

The sound of a sniffle and a cough echoed in her ear, the little Witch looked left, and then she looked to her right and then she spotted a little girl, small and sad, curled up behind a large oak tree.

“Little girl?” The little Witch called out, “Why are you crying? Especially on a special yule night?” she asked.

The little girl whipped her tears as she looked up at the famous little Witch, but she stayed silent. All she could do was offer the Witch, one single chestnut she had in her hand.

“Oh no, oh dear, my apologies - I forgot to give you a gift!” The Witch exclaimed and tapped herself on the head. She reached out for the object in the little girl's hand and offered to grant her a single wish, her wand ready to whisk.

The little girl looked up at the wondrous Witch, she took a deep breath and then she said “Dear Yule Witch, so kind and enchanting, what I wish for the most during this Yuletide season is the feeling of being loved.”

The little Witch stood stunned and shocked, never had someone asked her for such a wish. She scratched the top of her head with the tip of her wand. Usually children would ask for treats or toys, but this little girl had asked for what ?

The little girl let out a loud sigh that was most saddening. “It’s alright miss Witch, I know it is not something you can gift me.”

“Can’t gift!?” The Witch exclaimed “Dear child, there is nothing that I cannot gift!” She said confidently and then she whispered “I just need a moment to think.”

She then grabbed her broom and hopped on and told the little girl “I’ll be back with your gift, don’t you worry little lass, the Yule Witch will always fulfill.” and flew off back into the forest towards her wooden hut under a large willow tree.

Back at her hut, the little Witch started to plan: how do you gift someone love?

Maybe a love potion?

Maybe a love charm?

How about a talking animal? A familiar creature of her own.

“No! No ! No! It just doesn’t fit.” The little Witch screamed in frustration.

She had never missed a single child’s wish. But why was it hard to find a way to gift this one?

She paced and paced and paced around her cauldron trying to think of what to do when a sudden light shined through her window, the moonlight lighting up the room.

“That’s it” She exclaimed in a happy tone, Let's ask the moon for her thoughts.

She grabbed her broom and a silver pebble and flew up to the night sky to speak to the moon. She clasped the pebble in her hand and rubbed it 3 times and said “Dear moon goddess, maiden, mother and crone, can love be given, can love be in the form of an object? how to make this Solstice a bright and happy one?”

A gentle voice echoed in the air, it was the moon’s voice answering the Witches call.

“My dear little Witch, loving friend, love is all around us, you just need to open your heart to see it. Take my light as an example, I shine a small light for my children so that I can guide them in the night and then stars help me as well. We do that out of love for you all, so that you are always on the right path and are never alone.”

The Witch, still on her broom looked confused, she pinched her little ear and pouted a bit. “ But how do I gift love? Surely not with a star.”

The moon laughed gently “Love can be shaped in many ways. Just open your heart and then the right spell will come.” the moon said and the voice then faded away into the night.

The little Witch had flew back down to the town, nervous. How was she to know what to give.

As she arrived to the town and saw that the all the children and adults we’re getting ready for bed as it was getting late.

The little Witch looked around to find out which house was the little girl’s, but to her surprise she found again, sitting under the same tree.

“Dear little girl, the wind is getting colder and it’s becoming very late, time to head back home and snuggle up in your warm bed.” The little Witch instructed.

The little girl looked up and the Witch and said: “ I do not have a home, nor do I have a bed.”

The little Witch was shocked once again, No home? No bed? Was this little girl all alone?

She then noticed the little girl’s eyes wandering around and got her looking at one of the homes. The loving family embracing each other, smiling and laughing, happy as can be. The Witch then thought : What a lovely sight to see, so much love and happiness in one scene.

“Wait, Love?” The Witch said. Of course she thought, it’s that simple. The little Witch walked up to the girl and took out her wand and extended her hand “Little girl, are you ready for your gift?” She said with a gentle smile.

The little girl nodded and took her hand, and then the Witch tapped her wand on to the girl’s hand. “Dear little girl, thank you for your gift. Now I will bestow one single wish.” One, two and poof “Here is your gift my little training witch”

The little girl was now in a witches dress and hat, looking confused she looked up and asked “what does this mean? I don’t understand”

“You asked for love my dear lass, and just like the moon, love can be shown in many forms. Will you join me and be my apprentice ? You will never be alone and never be cold. Our new friendship will help you achieve your goal. I will love you and so will more”

The little girl smiled and seemed very happy.

“Thank you for my gift Yuletide Witch.”

Both Witches flew up to the moonlight sky.

“A Yule Blessing to you all”