Beneath the enchanted tree
Hello Everyone !
I see I have an audience , won’t you come and gather around my little holiday horror Christmas tree and let me tell you a little story . .....
One day I was out and minding my own business until I heard something talking . It sounded like it was coming from under a little tree alongside the pathway that I was traveling . Listen8ng closely , it seemed like it was coming from within the tree ! I crouched down and peered into the green wreath of nettles and JUMPED at what I saw looking back !
A Gnome , by the name of Pitch was staring out at me . Pitch asked if I would like to go inside his tree , to tour his underground treasures ? I was really intrigued, but something frlt....off....weird. Then I smelled it ....I couldn’t pinpoint the smell, but it was a familiar odor and decided I should dec
One the tour offer. I went home to nap . Laying there , I couldn’t stop wondering what that familiar smell was .....
As I woke I realized what that smell was ... Poppies ! Smelling like perfume but makes you sleepy ! I ran back to the tree . I once again crouched way down and looked closely. Deeper under the boughs , moved something very small, I couldn’t quite see.... what was that ? Then , a talking worm emerged from an Apple blossom. Strangely ... he spoke in riddles and rhyme.
“ Smell the Poppies in the tree”
“ Then find an Apple to give to me” the worm said !
But... This tree has no apples ! What would you like instead my dear Worm ?
“The name is Sherm, I’ll have you know!”
“ If you have no Apple, I’ll have to go !”
“ It’s a home I seek and some food to eat”
“Which is why an Apple is such a treat “
Well Sherm .....you cute little worm,
I do see a pear way back down there
Would you consider a Pear as an acceptable lair?
The fruit is so sweet , and it’s delicious to eat.
Do would you consider that Pear, lying way back there ?
“Am I really a worm ?
“ Do I really Squirm?”
“You are a fool !” Said the work with a drool !
“You will be my meal,You’ll be my bread !” Came a dreadful growl
A great fear I began to feel, in my heart was an awe full dread !
Was this Sherm, this sarcastic Worm, plann8ng on eating me when dead ?
“No , it is I said the gnome! “
“This is MY home, and I’ll eat “
“you both instead ! “
I woke with a start and realized this had all been just a dream . It must have been that familiar smell at the tree that cause death that dream ! So... puzzled by the dream , I returned to the tree . Again, there was movement and there Pitch, the Gnome appeared to me again. Is the offer to take that tour of your underground treasures still open, I asked ?
“ Why of course! Just slide under the boughs and my door is st the base of the tree. Did you have a nice nap and pleasant dreams ? My Poppies are especially good at enhancing your dreams . They are quite realistic in fact. “
I didn’t see how it was possible for me to fit through that little opening at the base of the tree, but as I slid under the branches , approaching the entrance I brushed across a mushroom on the path . All of a sudden ?I seemed to be shrinking in size! Was this a hallucination from the poppies ? A reaction to the mushroom? And am I really shrinking or just imagining it ?
It seems I was really Shrinking ! It must have been that mushroom making this happen . What a strange tree ! Oh Well... here I go , head first into the Gnomes domain . Boy, was it dark and smelly in here. Shortly I slid out onto the floor of a giant chamber. It had a waterfall , and river running on one side, and the domed ceiling was glittering with red eyes reflecting the light from torches placed along the walls .
I swung round when I heard footsteps approaching behind me , only to be greeted by Pitch , the Gnome, running wildly towards me . He was waving his arms over his head, wildly trying to get my attention!
When Pitch caught up to me he was out of breath and obviously frantic, warning me never to stray from his lead again !
“ There are spaces that are forbidden to the tour and can cause dangerous reactions if intruded upon .! We shall quickly head this way please !”
You have such a large and beautiful home down here Pitch . Do you live here alone or share it with others?
“ None of us actually live here” said Pitch “ we have all been designated to a position of protector of our Kings treasures that are hidden throughout these caverns Each quarter has its own designated guardian. The first you ran into is protected by Red Eyes.... overseer of the first treasure hoard. If you had viewed them on your ramble They would have sent you to an alternate reality that I shudder to speak of to our welcome guests ! There are certain treasures that can’t be seen without first unlocking the challenges set on the treasure map. Now, please follow me and I will show you the best treasures down here safely at a distance. But you need to be surefooted as there is a steep drop to your side and the path is wet and slippery ! “
This place was getting interesting ! Treasure ? Alternate realities ? Really, maybe those Poppies were still affecting my thoughts.
“ Follow me said Pitch.....but remember don’t wander or touch ANYTHING ! Some may shock you .... others grow horns upon your head, some may kill you deader than that ugly rock over there ! One item even turned a whiny little guy named Sherm into a rhyming worm ! He is quite annoying and I can’t seem to get rid of the slimy little fellow !”
How peculiar I thought ! What would cause a rock to turn people into creatures? I was slowly approaching the ugly rock ahead. What is all the fuss about ? I thought ....I walked slowly and cautiously towards this rock acting’s as if it was going to jump out at me ! Then ALL OF A SUDDEN ,” What was that I. Yelled ! “
💥BOOM💥 the rock I was looking at was gone ! In its place always a Formal Top Hat 🎩 WOW ! Pitch wasn’t kidding ! I wonder what would have happened if I’d actually touched it first ? The blood was now racing through my veins so fast that without thinking , I grabbed the Top Hat 🎩 and put it on my head. Oh how I wished I haven’t though ! I TRIED, but the hat would not come off !, I wonder what the purpose of this hat was ?
Pitch stood there with his hands on his hips...Glaring at me in disbelief !
“ Oh you foolish human, now look what you’ve done ! I can’t help you now “ said Pitch” You have sealed your own destiny” and with that he turned and began walking away from me .my heart pounded with terror as EVERYTHING around me started to get smaller and smaller.... or...or... was I growing ? “ “Help ! “ I shouted as Pitch slowly walked away shaking his head ....Oh No !!! I’m deep under a large tree ! If I kappa growing I’ll soon be squished against the roots ! A mushroom ... didn’t i see one a little way back ? “ Help! Where is that mushroom 🍄? “
Out of nowhere , little Sherm squiggles out from under a root, with a riddle rhyme on how to use the hat to save myself !
“ Dear Human, it is I.... a Sherm the worm!
Putting me in the TopHat you see
Will quickly remove you from this tree !
Simply put me inside the hat,
Then back upon your head,
Tap three times on the brim
And out we go from deep within!
Quickly now quick .. before we are stuck
For crawling out now just won’t do the trick”
THEN .... Pitch the gnome squeals out “ its a trick, don’t tap that hat !” It was too late though, 3 taps have been made and suddenly Sherm and I disappeared from the cavern !
This realm , where are we now ? Where do we go from here ??? Oh my....talk about being out of the soup and into the fire ! I guess that pesky Sherm Was a tricky as well as rhyming worm. I bet he lives in a rotten apple !
Looking around , I saw dark jagged mountain peaks , with ice and snow on top . We were in a small clearing surrounded by dark woods filled with terrifying howls and shrieking sounds...... Whatelae could go wrong now ? The only thing we can do is investigate , there has to be a way home from here ! I think I see a path leading up the mountain ahead,. It doesn’t look very safe, but we have no choice . This seems to be the only promising way to go!
Sherm, quite proud of his trickery , let out a sinister giggle, while rubbing his tiny hands for warmth, as this new reality was quite cold !
“ Hello !,, Does anybody hear me ? “... no answer ... in fact not a sound to be heard anywhere !
Letting out a regretful moan, I should have obeyed Pitch , now I’m lost . Okay... I guess it’s on with the path. I see a glowing red light at the top of the mountain. Was it a fire ,I wondered ? Only one way to find out , so up the mountain Inwent... with Sherm following close behind .
“Walk up the path and you will find
Something else to blow your mind!
Not me though, I’ve been here before.
And won’t be shocked by the living folk lore”
“ Shut up Sherm , you rhyming , slimy worm! You my little fellow are in the same situation I’m in, so why not use that little brain to think of a way to get home? It’s really quite cold here, and this climb is killing my feet ! Flip Flops are NOT meant for climbing mountains ! “
I think I see the end in sight....but what is that further up the path? Looks like we are in for a rocking storm ! Up ahead , it appeared there was a permanent storm or downfall of liquid of some kind. I’m not sure if it’s even water as it gives off a strange sheen in the light . As I drew closer, a drop hit my lips ....wait a minute.... this ISNT water.... it’s whiskey ! Or some other form of alcohol !
As we walked further the ground became soft, then wet and slippery . Till finally we were walking thru deepening mud . Whiskey mud in fact . What kind of land is this ? I really needed to get home !
“ Pitch ! I know your here somewhere watching this. Please come and help guide us home ! I have to work tonight and while this is all fun and exciting, it won’t put money in my pocket! PITCH ! Do You Hear Me ? NOW PLEASE , “
“ Follow me ! “Said a voice in the distance ... “ follow my voice they the mud till the end... I will be waiting for you ! “
I struggled to reach 5he end of the path thru the thickening mud . This must be where they got the name for a ?Mud Slide during ! I giggled in my exhaustion. Sherm , apparently more tired than even me stopped and promptly took a nap ! Well ! That’s not going to help ! So I scooped him up and continued a few feet .
SUDDENLY something deep in the mud reached up and grabbed me buy the ankles ! Before I could even shout I was pulled straight down into the deep mud . It covered my head .. then I too fell asleep !
Upon awakening I found myself under the boughs of the tree, oh from the cavern too ! I’m not tiny and shrunken anymore either ! I got to my feet and my pants felt so heavy I thought they would fall to my ankles ! What the heck ?... my pockets were full of gold coins and jewels ! Sherm ... any ideas ?
“ Thats a gift from Pitch
To apologize for my switch!
If you followed his tour,
It would have been a bore.
I simple could not resist
Pulling my tricky switch !”
“ Sherm , dear drunken worm, do you Ever stop rhyming ?”
Why no in fact
That’s why I love that hat,
It makes it so much easier
To bind them . “
“ Well, your binding on me caused a dreadful mess and now that it’s ended I REALLY. Must get home to go to my cleaning business. The people there leave me such a mess that maybe I’ll trick some of THEM to visit Pitches tree and let you Bind THEM ! Just don’t expect me to join you !
One adventure under the Enchanted Tree is enough for me ! .... now I sound like a Sherm.!
Good Bye and have a nice Rhyming time with the people I send you ! I bet they won’t find it nearly as fun as leaving me boxes of garbage and dirty toilets.
The End
