This is the story of a very good girl named Corabelle. She was the most perfect daughter, sister and friend that a body could wish for. If ever anyone needed something, Corabelle was the first person they called, for she was exceedingly loyal and giving. To a fault, some might say, but it made her happy to serve. When others were happy, Corabelle was happy.
And so it went for years and years, until the day poor Corabelle found herself in need. A life of serving without stopping to care for herself had taken its toll. She cried for help to no avail.
“Who are you?” her friends and family all said, “I’m much too busy to help you today.”
After being rejected by nearly everyone she knew Corabelle was beginning to wonder too. “Who are you?” she asked herself. In her current state, with nothing to give, she felt useless.
She noticed an old woman carrying a bundle and begged her, “Please ma’am, I have no money to pay you, but I am so tired and hungry. Is there something you can spare, a bit of bread or fruit perhaps?”
“Oh dear girl, as you can see, I have nothing but these rags to keep the wind from nipping my weary bones, but I know a tree that grows at the edge of town. You will recognize it because it has no leaves, but one of every variety of fruit grows from its red branches.”
“How can that be? I’ve never heard of such a tree.”
“Oh, but you have. You yourself are like that tree. You have spent your life giving, being all things to all people. Your fruits have been many but you have lost yourself and are fading as we speak.”
“How do you know this?” Corabelle queried.
“The tree sent me to tell you. It heard your question.”
“My question? Who are you?”
That is the question, “Who are you?” the old woman replied.
Corabelle thought it strange, but she was intrigued. “I should like to meet this tree,“ she said.
“Very well,” the old woman answered, pointing the way.
When Corabelle saw the tree, she was filled with deep compassion. It looked so overburdened with fruits of every kind hanging from its limbs. Just as the old woman said, it reminded her of herself. “What kind of tree are you?” Corabelle asked.
“I don’t know,” sighed the tree, “I don’t even know if I am a tree, or a vine, or a bush. If someone wished for an apple, I became a tree, or if another wanted a grape I became a vine. As you can see, I am twisted and wilting away to nothing, except for these heavy fruits clinging to my bare branches. And worst of all, no one wants my fruit anymore.”
“Well, I certainly do! I would love a piece of your fruit if you don’t mind!” Corabelle reached for the apple and snapped it from the tree.
In an instant, the other fruit fell from the branches and leaves sprouted every which way where there had been none. “Thank you Corabelle!” the tree exclaimed,”I remember who and what I am now. I am a tree, an apple tree to be exact.”
Corabelle smiled happily, taking a bite of the apple. For the first time in her life she felt what it was like to receive. It felt good. Not as good as giving, but very good indeed.
kat ~ 2 December 2016
A bit out of practice doing micro…so longer, but hopefully intriguing enough to keep one’s attention. This is my entry for Jane Dougherty’s Microfiction Challenge this week based on the illustration by Virginia Frances Sterret that you see above. Happy Friday to you.
December 2nd, 2016 at 5:21 pm
A beautiful story Kat, not only did Corabelle receive she cave too to the tree willingly and selflessly ! I love the picture too!
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December 2nd, 2016 at 6:00 pm
Thanks Willow! 😊
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December 2nd, 2016 at 6:08 pm
Beautiful piece of story telling.
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December 2nd, 2016 at 6:09 pm
Thank you Lorraine. I love a good Tale.
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December 2nd, 2016 at 6:55 pm
Lovely story Kat, enjoyed your take very much..
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December 2nd, 2016 at 6:59 pm
Thanks Michael. 😊
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December 2nd, 2016 at 7:10 pm
Very lovely story, I hope you win because this is such a genius way of storytelling about a helpful girl and a red fruitfull tree.
Good luck and keep me updated about your progress in the challenge!
Greetings by Sophie
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December 2nd, 2016 at 7:26 pm
Hi Sophie. Thanks so much! Though there are no winners or losers with this challenge. Just a wonderful collection of stories based on the prompt picture. It’s all for the love of writing! 😊
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December 2nd, 2016 at 7:28 pm
Hi Kat,
Well thats better that there ar no winners or less good tries, but in my opinion you are the best 😊. Wish you luck!
Greetings by Sophie
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December 2nd, 2016 at 7:28 pm
Thanks so much! ❤️
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December 2nd, 2016 at 8:07 pm
Another brilliantly phenomenal children’s tale that should be sold on the market. 🌹
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December 2nd, 2016 at 8:11 pm
Oh thank you so much. That’s a wonderful thought! 😊
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December 2nd, 2016 at 8:34 pm
Kat, I do not know if you would be interested or not but this site might be a good one for many of your stories…
fictionmagazines.com
and also, have I mentioned to you about https://colleenchesebro.com/
another GREAT ARTIST like you with so much info about publishing and writing.
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December 2nd, 2016 at 9:52 pm
Thank you. 😊
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December 3rd, 2016 at 12:02 am
You did such an awesome job with this short, Kat! It kept my attention handily, and the ending was perfect. I think you have a knack for this!
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December 3rd, 2016 at 4:23 am
Thank you! The ending was my greatest challenge. I went through several versions in the process. 😊
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December 3rd, 2016 at 6:30 am
It’s not too long at all. A story has to be told right to the end 🙂
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December 3rd, 2016 at 7:15 am
Thanks Jane. I loved this week’s prompt! 🙂
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December 3rd, 2016 at 7:48 am
Illustrations to fairy tales are generally full of inspiration. Glad you liked it 🙂
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December 3rd, 2016 at 12:51 pm
Beautiful Kat. Such a good story. It would make a very lovely children’s books. I could see your words with some beautiful illustrations. The moral is very good as well 🙂 Great job!
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December 3rd, 2016 at 1:33 pm
Thanks Mandi. 🙂
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December 8th, 2016 at 4:51 am
[…] Corabelle and the Enchanted Tree | like mercury colliding… […]
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December 8th, 2016 at 5:11 am
A nicely rounded story with a gift of a moral prod. Nicely executed. 😇
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December 8th, 2016 at 6:34 am
Thank you Ellen. The prompt was rich with possibilities. 😊
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December 8th, 2016 at 9:53 am
My take was very different😇
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December 8th, 2016 at 10:12 am
I can’t wait to read it over my lunch hour. I usually wait for Jane’s roundup so I don’t miss anyone. 🙂
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December 8th, 2016 at 11:25 am
There are many different reads this week, some smashing ones. 😇
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December 8th, 2016 at 7:04 am
Beautiful story, Kat. It seems well-suited to the season, too.
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December 8th, 2016 at 7:17 am
Thanks Merrill. I hadn’t thought of the seasonal connection but you are so right! 😊
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December 8th, 2016 at 7:12 am
I love this one. Positive woman-eating-apple magic. (K)
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December 8th, 2016 at 7:19 am
Ooh another twist from my subliminal mind. I hadn’t thought about the “apple” connection. Thanks for picked by that out for me to see! 😉
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December 10th, 2016 at 12:38 pm
I enjoy reading tales and poems, this was lovely how the giving person was able to finally receive gifts of fruit. It was wonderful how Corabelle was also again able to do a kindly thing, reciprocate the trees sharing fruit and releasing it into its original form. 🙂 ~ Robin
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December 10th, 2016 at 1:59 pm
Thank you so much! I think we need more fairy tales in this world! 😊
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