Thursday Tales: The Apparition

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A tale is told on moonlit nights of a presence seen gliding soundlessly among the cornrows of a certain field. At this figure’s side appears a crow, equally and eerily silent, though it’s clear those bright avian eyes miss nothing as they relentlessly scan the shadowy landscape.

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It is said that an aura of foreboding rears up on such nights and smothers all with the dark tint of unspoken menace. Nerves tingle…stomachs churn…and it seems to those who draw near that comfort will never be theirs again.
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I cannot testify to the truth of this tale. Ever watchful, I eschew this darkened field, wise enough to forgo any shortcut that would allow darkness to swallow me up. Peering in from afar, I am able only to see the faint outline of a tired and ragged scarecrow that has reigned over this domain for as far back as memory takes me. Surely such things do not take on a life of their own.

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I cannot testify to the truth of this tale, but I have seen men of stature reduced to shadowy shards of themselves in the course of a single night. It does no good to question their fate…eyes bleak with fear, these unfortunates spurn all contact and slide away, unable to hear aught but their own tortured thoughts.
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You may heed my words or not…I mean only to caution you. But know that I am considered brave, though not stupid, and I state with certainty that some risks are not meant to be undertaken, even by the most adventuresome of spirits.
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You may choose to disregard what I say. One moonlit night, you may find that your curiosity outweighs your good sense. You may be drawn to this dark spot and find yourself unable to resist the force that blinds and beguiles you. Once sucked into the vortex, only destiny can decide what fate befalls you.

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I have done all I can in warning you. If your search for truth takes you deep into the world of adumbration, I can only pray for your soul. But prithee...on your return, tell of what you discover that we may know the true end of this tale.

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That is, if you make it back at all.....

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I'm linking this toThursday Tales, where we're invited to build a story around a picture prompt, using 55-777 words. My story today has 375 words.

For more tales, follow this link....

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http://talesthursday.blogspot.com/

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Today's photo was provided by Sara Vandermeulen at DeviantArt. Check it out here...

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http://staje.deviantart.com/art/Scarecrow-11031052



Second Star To The Right

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Deep in the woods where fairies play, there's magic to be found,

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Come take a peek...but be quite still,

and utter not a sound.

Behind this gate and down the

winding path we’ll make our way,
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And there we will see wonders that

see not the light of day.

On moonlit nights while we’re abed,

the forest does not rest
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For midnight is the special time

that pixies like the best.



At first, there’s stillness all around,

and then there comes a light.

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And if we’re quiet and careful, we may see amazing sights.
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The air will come to life with thrumming sounds of tiny wings,
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Then wonderment will steal our breath, and show us many things.

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The creatures of the night come out to celebrate their joys,
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And share delights of friendship, seldom seen by girls and boys

The Frog Prince offers tea, the

Cheshire Cat grins ear to ear.

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The trill of fairy voices is a joyous

sound to hear.
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All through the hours of darkest night, the magic weaves its spell,
And we’ll see secret things that we won’t ever get to tell.
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For who would dare believe such things as fairies might be seen,
Though we’ll hold in our heart of hearts the wondrous place we’ve been.



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We'll want to laugh, it's all such

fun,

but silence we must keep,

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Until the morning light across the

treetops starts to creep.

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With tired yawns, the little ones curl up their baby wings,
And seek their woodland beds, wrapped up in thoughts of splendid things.

We’ll steal away ourselves, amazed

at all that we have seen,

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And in the glaring light of day,

it might seem like a dream.

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But wait…hold out your hand, could that be fairy dust I see?

Hush…not a word…you know the secret will be safe with me.

Another night, we’ll once more make

our

way down to the gate,

As moonlight casts its

silver glow,

and evening hours grow late.
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But sleep now, close your tired eyes, lay down your toused head,


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Let wonder be your blanket, and the world's love be your bed...
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I am linking this to Fawndear's 'Second Star To The Right' party. A resounding thank you to Fawndear for hosting this delightful event! To visit her sweet site or check out more partygoers, please click on the link below...
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http://fawndear.blogspot.com/

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