Mary was only five years old, but at times she felt like a hundred years old with all the stress
from her parents yelling at each other all the time. About money or things forgotten and at times
she was sure they didnt know what they were fighting about.She would hide in her room and sometimes
would fall asleep and wake in the morning feeling so hungry as she had not had dinner because of them
being so busy fighting and then making up.When they were not fighting life was so much fun,they
would take her to the park or to the beach and on windy days they would go flying kites.She
used to pray each night that they would stop fighting but it never seemed to work for within days they
were at it all over again.
One morning she woke early and crept out of the house and down to the garden,it was lovely there
and the sun was waking up and painting the sky in so many shades of red. She sat cuddling her ragged
teddy bear and watched spellbound by natures show of lights and out of the corner of her eye she saw
a movement in the flower bed and of course she had to go investigate as she was a naturally curios
child.She watched as she saw the tiniest figure moving throught the flowers, so small so delicate
looking, whatever could it be she pondered as she watched intently. "Who are you?" the tiny one asked
" I have not seen you here before " she said as she climbed up onto Marys outstretched hand and sat
both of them amazed by the size of the other . Mary introduced herself to her tiny friend and smiled
as she showed her the ragged teddy bear that once had been her fathers. "Do you live here in the garden,
do you have any family and what do you eat?" Mary had so many questions to ask."Yes I live here.No
I dont have a family a cat attacked our home one night and so I ran until I found this garden and eat
well I dont do a lot of that and my name is Mystica and its so nice to meet you." The two chatted for a
while until Marys mother called for her to come eat.She left promising to bring her friend some
food and ran inside and smiled as she saw her parents hugging and knew today would be a good day.
Mary kept her word and took some food out to her tiny friend,watching her wolf it down she smiled
"You wont be hungry again I will come and bring food each day my friend and the cats wont get you I will
make a hut for you one that is safe and warm" Mystica had tears in her green eyes as she looked up
and asked "but what can I do for you my friend, I have nothing not even a blanket" Mary looked at her and
said with a wisdom beyond her years." Mystica it is not about getting its about sharing and caring.
if I cant share what I have with you then why should anyone care about me and I dont give to get
something I give because its the right thing to do". And so began a close friendship the two would
sit for hours talking about the world about butterflys and the sun among many other subjects.When
her parents would fight she would hide and talk with Mystica and tell her how sad this made her
feel when they did this. Mystica could see the sadness in her friends eyes and hear it in her voice
and felt powerless to help her at all.
One day as the thunder roared and the lightning struck the trees Mary rushed out into the rain
knowing Mysticas house was flimsy and would get damaged and her friend would get wet, she sneaked back in
and put her friend into the brand new dolls house her dad had made her and she giggled ans Mystica
ran from room to room in awe of this home and with the sweetest of smiles she said" I could live here
huh Mary and no cats would get me and no rain and it is nearly winter oh please Mary Im only little
and wont be much bother" "Yes thats a good idea, you will live in here and be safe and keep me company
it will be such fun" The days turned into months and the two shared the room and many secrets as well
Mystica jumped onto Marys bed one day and said" Mary I got an idea" Mary sat listening not sure what
was comming next."There is some red shoes in the closet and I think they are magic in fact I am sure
