When Wendy the Witch Whisked Winter Away
“Abra cadabra and ala kazoo. Please melt all this snow, so my toes won’t turn blue . . .”
It’s the first day of a whole new year, and what better way to get 2022 started than with a little touch of magic . . .
This months B-Side Story is all about Wendy the witch who decides winter is too long, too cold, and making her too blue! Wendy decides to cast a spell to whisk the winter away, and suddenly it’s summer in the middle of January! The trees are confused! The creatures are sleepy! Plus, the other witches really miss hitting the slopes! Can Wendy whisk winter back, or is it gone for good?
When Wendy the Witch Whisked Winter Away
by caitlin nicole evans
Dedicated to my moon-gazing sister for reminding me that witch stories are meant to be read every season of the year . . .
In the wild, wooded west was the wide Weepy Wood.
Which witches called home, but . . . these witches were GOOD!
They were kind, helpful healers.
Not villains who jinx.
When there were problems to solve, witches worked out the kinks.
With plenty of powerful spells up their sleeves,
they could muster up magic one wouldn’t believe.
They would hunt for herbs with small burlap packs,
to make potted potions or medicinal sacks.
They plucked NO eyes of newts.
They trimmed NO tails from rats.
All their potions were vegan . . . after all, they love cats!
These witches loved nature and dark, starry nights.
They loved dancing in circles ‘round fires burnt bright.
Witches rarely cast curses or raised up the dead.
They would MUCH rather fly on their broomsticks instead!
Now, some whispers of witches are actually fact.
They do enjoy tarot, and they tend to wear black.
They like pointed hats, and most own black kittens.
When a witch sees the moon, they will swoon rather smitten.
That witches are wicked is simply untrue!
BUT . . .
Sometimes they cast spells that they just shouldn’t do.
Now, we all make mistakes. Even me. Even you.
And one day a young, little witch messed up too.
Wendy the Witch had a kind, helpful heart.
She was swift on a broom, and spellbindingly smart.
Like a true-natured witch, Wendy loved nature’s seasons.
All the scents, all the sights.
There was a whole list of reasons.
The Springtime brought flowers, and raindrops, and bees.
The Summer brought sunshine and fruit to the trees.
The Fall was her favourite, all the gold and red leaves,
and October was MAGIC, most witches believed.
With a full harvest moon and All Hallows’ Eve night,
the whole autumn season was a witch’s delight.
But, after November,
well . . .
Wendy grew weepy.
The daylight grew shorter and made her more sleepy.
Winter arrived and the air turned to ice.
This season, thought Wendy, was not very nice.
She detested the chill and the slick, slushy snow.
The harsh winter wind that insisted it blow.
Plus, it was looooooonnnnnnggggg, every month moving slow.
Until . . .
Wendy decided that Winter must GO!
She whispered some words while her wood wand was weaving.
“Winter it’s time that your season is leaving.”
“Abracadabra and a la kazoo. Winter be gone! You are making me blue.”
With a whip of her wand, she whisked Winter away.
Then . . .
Wendy’s eyes opened to a bright Summer’s day!
The meadows turned green, and the trees weren’t so bare.
There was sun in the sky and a warmth in the air.
She saw certain creatures crawl out from their homes.
There was no need to sleep with the winter all gone.
The woods were awake with the woodchucks and bears.
The fur turned to brown on the snowy white hares.
All the plants Wendy loved had come back in full bloom.
In all her excitement she leapt on her broom!
With no need for mitts, or a big bulky cape,
she flew through the woods with no cold to escape.
BUT . . .
. . .soaring around Wendy saw her mistake.
All the creatures were sleepy!
The plants were all puzzled!
The trees with their leaves felt the seasons were muddled!
All the Weepy Wood witches had found Winter nice.
They wanted to sled and go skate on the ice,
but the ponds were all tragically thawed by the sun.
Wendy had whisked away all Winter’s FUN!
No more toboggans, hot cocoa, or stew.
No more spells to make snowmen, or an icy igloo.
No more rest for the creatures.
No sleep for the flowers.
No time for the woods to feel Winter’s quiet hours.
Even Wendy missed winter, but was it too late . . .?
Could she reverse all her magic and fix her mistake . . .?
Summer in January just wouldn’t do.
Wendy wanted the chill and the slushy, snow too!
So, she whipped out her wood wand to whisk winter back,
using each seed of magic that she had in her sack.
She filled up a cauldron with berries and thyme,
and whipped up a potion that smelt just like pine.
Then she whispered some words in the soft Summer breeze,
asking the Winter to hurry back PLEASE!!!
“Please bring back your snowflakes. Please bring back your ice!
Please bring back the things that make winter so nice!”
Wendy was waving her wand in a fluster,
conjuring all of the might she could muster.
(Reversing a spell is no easy test . . . which is why careful casting is always the best!)
Then to Wendy’s good fortune the Winter returned,
and for one little witch some BIG lessons were learned.
With Winter whisked back all the witches were smiling.
Oh, the wonderful Winter was simply beguiling!
Now even the Winter could make Wendy swoon,
with its snow-sprinkled wood and its sparkling Cold Moon . . .
The End
Recommended Reading: Witch books are no longer just for October! Although the Christmas season has passed, I highly recommend picking up a copy of The Legend of the Christmas Witch, written by Dan Murphy and Aubrey Plaza. This book is beautifully illustrated by fellow Canadian Julia Iredale, who resides on Vancouver Island – as far, far west as the wild Weepy Wood! It is a magical story filled with its own wonderful lessons for all the little witches around the world.
Thanks so much for reading B-Side Stories. Please share the magic with any little witches you know, and stay tuned for February’s B-Side Story – a heart-filled, swoon-worthy Valentine tale!
