Witch and Toad
A short story.
Once upon a time, a little witch fell in love with a toad. She loved him and played with him. But one day, the toad told the little witch he wanted to play with his friends. The little witch grew angry and sullen. But what was she to do? The toad wanted to see his friends. So she let him, on the condition he never left her. The toad agreed, and off he went.
A week passed. The toad returned, and all was well. But in the second year, the toad again asked to play with his friends. Once again, the little witch grew angry. This time, she made the toad promise that he would never fall out of love with her. He agreed, though secretly, the toad grew troubled at the witch’s jealousy. Does she not trust me? the toad wondered. What have I ever done to deserve the witch’s anger? But he did not say this, afraid the witch would turn him into a stew and eat him.
The toad went to see his friends, and he eventually returned, though only after an entire month had passed.
All was well until the third year rolled around. The toad asked the witch if he could see his friends once more. The little witch grew angrier than ever. In return for letting him see his friends, she demanded the toad never grow angry with her, as she was afraid the toad would complain to his friends about her fierce temper. The toad agreed, though secretly, the toad was quite upset by this point. He had yet to leave her or stop loving her, but the little witch grew upset with him still. She must not trust me at all! the toad thought. He went to see his friends, but this time, with a heavy heart.
The witch waited a week, then a month, then a year for the toad to return. After a year had passed, the little witch wailed. “You evil toad, I knew you would leave me! I knew you never loved me! I knew you’d grow angry with me!” She stomped to her cabin and locked the door, never to emerge again.
The toad, who had been watching all along, emerged from the tall grass outside the hut. He thanked his lucky stars he had not returned to the witch, for she had clearly never trusted him for the warts on his back. He hopped away and was never heard from again.
The end.
