2008 School Magazine

^';?^4/1\^ All was silent in the isolated village of Flaxen Hill. The icy breeze blew gently on the thatched roofs while millions of stars glittered across the night sky it seemed as though the whole village had been put o sleep. All was silent except for one particularly run-down house down towards the river. Henry was the head of the Butcher's Guild and was known across the kingdom for his excellent work. He was kind and hard working and always seemed to have a smile plastered on his weatherworn face. That night, though, he had a stern expression as he spoke gravely to his daughter. "Ajice, I have come to realise that my health has been declining lately and so I have decided to resign from my position and pass it on to my next of kin-you. " A1ice gasped, "Father! I am so terrible at preparing carcasses. You know the very sight of blood makes me feel faint. " Henry drew in a sharp breath before furiously replyi g, "A1'ce, I do not wish to speak of this any more. You, as my eldest child, will take the position. Now go to bed!" Defeated, Ajice traipsed to her bedroom and lay down gently on her straw mattress, wishing for a miracle to free her from her dilemma. The sound of brightly coloured birds twittering in the pine trees woke A1ice. As she lay in bed feeling miserable, a sharp prod in her lower thigh disrupted her thoughts. it was a silver needle. Attached to it was a long string of red thread. A1ice laughed to her elf a she considered all the possibilities of how it came to be there. She picked up her pillow and almost mechanical Iy, she wove the thread around its perimeter. Staring at her handiwork, A1ice marvelled at her sudden embroidery skills. Remembering her aunt's gowns which were in desperate need of attention, she got out her needle and thread and was amazed at her ability. A1ice had finally found her calling.

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