Benevolent Wishing Well

By Bhavya Srivastava

Once in a small village, at the edge of an enchanted forest, there was a group of friends who loved playing football. Every day after school, they would gather at the park to kick the ball around. One sunny afternoon, while playing their favourite game, the ball accidentally got kicked into a dense forest nearby. Curiosity got the better of the friends, and they decided to venture into the forest to retrieve their precious ball. As they entered, they were amazed by the beauty and tranquility that surrounded them. The trees were tall and majestic, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of wildflowers. It was a deep enchanted forest, filled with magical creatures and hidden secrets!

As they continued their search, they stumbled upon a clearing. In the center stood a mysterious well, covered in moss and vines. It was unlike any well they had ever seen before. Its stone walls were adorned with intricate carvings, and the water inside shimmered with a glow. Intrigued, the friends gathered around it. They had heard stories about wishing wells, and excitement filled their hearts. One by one, they closed their eyes, made a wish, and tossed a coin into the well. Some wished for good grades, others for happiness, and a few for their favourite football team to win. Suddenly, a voice echoed from the depths of the well. "Your wishes have been heard”.

Little did they know, a wise old witch lived nearby, and she had been watching them. She loved to play tricks. She decided to grant their wishes in unexpected ways. As they turned to leave, they heard a whisper. "To retrieve your ball, you must work together and solve three riddles," it said. The friends exchanged puzzled glances.

The first riddle was: "I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with the wind. What am I?" After much deliberation, they realized the answer was "echo." They shouted the word into the well, and a gust of wind blew through the clearing, revealing a hidden path.

Excitedly, they followed the path, only to face the second riddle: "I can be cracked, made, told, and played. What am I?" After some thought, they realized the answer was "a joke." They burst into laughter and as their laughter echoed, a bridge appeared, leading them to the final challenge.

The third riddle was the trickiest of all: "I am taken from a mine and shut in a wooden case, from which I am never released, and yet I am used by almost every person. What am I?" After much contemplation, they realized the answer was "pencil lead." They wrote it on a paper and dropped it into the well. The friends watched as their ball emerged, floating towards them. With joyous cheers, they caught the ball.

As the friends left the forest, they realized that sometimes, the journey itself is more important than the destination. And most importantly, they understood that success is not measured by the outcome, but by the effort they put into their pursuits. 

Soon, the friend who wished for good grades found himself studying day and night, facing challenging exams and assignments. The one who wished for happiness had to learn to appreciate the little joys in life. And the friends who wished for their football team to win faced a series of nail-biting matches.

One sunny day, a mischievous boy named Oliver discovered the well while roaming in the woods. Attracted to its mysterious aura, he decided to make a wish. With a mischievous grin, he tossed a shiny coin into the well and wished for endless sweets and treats. To his surprise, his wish was granted instantly. The well showered candies that rained upon him. Oliver's eyes widened with delight as he gathered the sugary treasures, but little did he know that his wish had triggered a chain of events that would change everything.

As days went by, the people noticed a strange occurrence. The once-abundant crops began to die, and the rivers that used to be clear became dirty and polluted. The village faced a shortage of food, and the people grew anxious. Word soon reached Oliver's ears that his wish had upset the balance of nature. The spirits of the forest, guardians of the well, had become angered by his selfish desire for sweets. The well had become cursed, and its magic had turned into a force of chaos.

Determined to make amends, Oliver sought the guidance of the old witch. She revealed that the curse could only be lifted by an act of selflessness and sacrifice. With newfound determination, Oliver embarked on a quest to heal the forest. He planted seeds, nurtured the land, and cared for the animals. He spent countless hours cleaning the polluted rivers and streams, restoring them to their former glory. As he worked without rest, the forest began to respond. 

The trees grew taller, the flowers blossomed with bright colors, and animals returned to their peaceful homes. One day, as Oliver stood by the well, a gentle breeze blew through the trees. The well shone with a golden light, and the curse was lifted. The forest spirits forgave Oliver, and the magic of the well was restored. From then on, the children felt the warmth and wonder that had been missing.

The enchanted wishing well teaches us to never stop believing in the power of our wishes and the magic that surrounds us. So, the next time you find yourself near a well, take a moment to make a wish and see what happens. You never know, it just might come true. But remember, the true magic lies within you, and the well is merely a guide on your journey of self-discovery.

By Bhavya Srivastava