The smell of wood smoke scents Sarah’s world. Fragments of shattered glass, collected near the castle and arranged in neat rows along the top of the rock wall, bring it color. Her bed is made of gathered moss. She sleeps beneath the stars.
The silken strands of Sarah’s flax-white hair weave themselves into tangled knots and drag upon the ground. She festoons the ends with feathers. Her dresses are nothing more than collected rags, pieced together in patches of variegated browns and occasional pieces of red.
Why would the queen want to see her? Has she heard? Sarah can weave straw into gold.
Up From the Ashes 
Such an interesting take on the story and retelling of Rumpelstiltskin, Alicia. I really enjoyed envisioning her world and the contrast between what she values and what the queen values.
janet
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Thanks, Janet. It is rather like Rumpelstilskin. I tried to think of something more original than straw into gold . . . Glad you liked it anyway.
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What a vivid image you paint in this story. Very nice!
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Thanks very much. After reading comments on other stories last week I realized I’d gotten away from painting the story-world with colors and smells.
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I love it! I fee like it should begin with, Once Upon a Time. 🙂
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Perhaps it should, P.J. Maybe next time. : – )
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I meant, it felt like a fairy tale. Very good!!
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I understood that, PJ. I was saying that tongue-in-cheek! I always appreciate your stopping by to read my work and leaving such lovely comments. Alicia
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I thoroughly enjoyed your tale! Nicely assembled 🙂
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Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed Sarah. I think she has a fine time living in the woods.
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The last sentence could for me either be Sarah’s own beliefs and in reality as sad as her whole appearance or it could be the beginning of a fairy tale… I like that ambiguity.
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I hadn’t thought of it that way, Bjorn. Sometimes the author of a tale doesn’t see all sides. I’m awfully glad you did. Always appreciate your input. Alicia
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Lovely story. And hopefully no foot stamping.
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Thank you, but may I ask – Foot stamping?
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Lovely. Thank you.
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Thank you!
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simply beautiful. you must be truly inspired when you wrote this story.
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Wow! Thank you for the lovely compliment.
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Beautifully done, very descriptive makes you feel as if you are right there next to her.
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Thanks, that’s what I was going for. Glad it worked. Alicia
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So vividly described – I got a real picture here. Well done.
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Thank you, Sandra. I’m glad my plan worked. I’d gotten away from doing that – l using the 100 word limit as an excuse.
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Lovely story. I have a feeling that Sarah’s quite simple and idyllic-sounding life is about to get a lot more complicated.
Beautiful descriptions!
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I think Sarah can hold her own. Always appreciate your comments. Alicia
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Dear Alicia,
You infused this piece with a beautiful voice and presence. It felt like present day just round the corner from here. Very well done.
Aloha,
Doug
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Thanks, Doug.
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Dear Alicia,
Hmm…I have to wonder if Sarah can spin straw into gold, why is she wearing rags? Perhaps the queen will pay her for time and skill. On the other hand, it doesn’t work that way in fairy tales does it? Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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No advertising if you want to stay hidden in a place you love. Thanks for wondering, Rochelle.
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Fairytale Queens aren’t known for their generosity, but I liked that line at the end that turned his beautiful description into something very different. Good stuff
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Thanks, Elmo. I don’t think the queen has anything good or kindly up her sleeve.
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I picture Sarah as a story teller about whom people say she can turn straw into gold with her stories. The queen probably didn’t get the last part, and the tale begins… Great take on the prompt, very vivid.
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Oh, I like that, I really, really do. Thanks!
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We’ve got a barn she could stay in, some burlap sack for future dresses, and lots and lots of straw. Tell her she can come stay with us.
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Russel! You are more than generous. I’ll certainly let her know. Did I tell you she owns a pack of wolves?
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Great imagery–which you’ve woven into a tapestry much as Sarah must weave her gold!
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Your comment is a tapestry in itself. Thank you, Jan
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I think it’s obvious why a queen would want to meet her!
I found interesting how although she can weave gold you described her to be and dress so selfless and having nothing.
Great job!
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Thanks for noting that. Sarah is quite pleased to be who she is, despite her talents. Appreciate your stopping by and leaving a comment.
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Nice…
Randy
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Thanks.
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I love the way this could be magic or madness, contemporary or fairy story. Sarah could be 18 or 80, or perhaps both.
This tale is working some shape-shifting magic!
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Thanks you! I appreciate the way you see this. Alicia
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Wonderful, evocative images. Sarah’s world comes alive. I love it.
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Thank you, Margaret. I’m glad I could make Sarah’s world come alive.
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Really good storytelling Alicia. The last line really works well I feel
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Thanks, Weltchy. I appreciate your reading and leaving a comment
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Love all the visuals in this. I think Sarah would be a fascinating and beautiful sight to behold. Someone who looks so magical should be able to spin straw into gold. Wonderful descriptions in this.
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Thanks for your lovely words. They have brightened my day.
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Oooo, I really like this one. The beginning of a wonderful fairy tale! Well done 🙂
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Thanks Rachel, and thanks again for providing the inspiring picture. Many good stories came from it.
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Cool fairy tale, Anonymous Alicia, brings to mind Rumplestilskin. I want to see her too, along with the Queen.
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Sometimes I have the darnedest time getting my blog address in right so I become incognito Alicia. I wouldn’t mind running into Sarah before the Queen gets a hold of her. Thanks for reading Perry. Always enjoy your sense of humor.
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No doubt that would be a good reason to summon her! This is a wonderfully descriptive piece, Alicia, which tells as much story in what you’ve included as what you haven’t. The details really spring to life, and that final line delivers so much! Great job.
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Thanks, Dawn. As I mentioned earlier, my goal was to “paint” Sarah’s world because I’d gotten away from doing that in my last few FF stories. Glad it worked.
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Full of mystery. You evoke your heroine masterfully. She could easily be a character from Shakespeare. One of his mad women! Equally, a Victorian ‘Romantic’ mad woman. And yes, a fairy tale character and not mad at all. When the queen’s finished with her, I’d like her to come to me and weave me some gold. 🙂
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I’m next in line, but will tell Sarah to head your way when she’s done. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment. Much appreciated. Alicia
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My door will be open. 🙂
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A true free spirit! I like her.
Lily
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Thanks, me too.
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Beautiful, descriptive words woven together to make a lovely picture of a very different type of person. Well done, Alicia. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thank you for such a lovely comment. Alicia
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