Winter and Spring
Tapiwa Mpedzisi
Winter’s wicked rule in the woodland had its icy impact: the trees lost all their leaves, the animals hid underground for mere warmth and all the birds flew to down south to somewhere sunny, and because of that, the wood became a very silent place, only the noiseless sound of snowflakes floating to the ground and the faint wind was heard.
Whilst for Winter, her heart was colder than herself. She did not care about the woods nor its inhabitants as long as she spent her turn on freezing the woodlands, transforming it into a winter prison instead of a wonderland; she would feel very fulfilled.
Today, just like another other day, Winter did her daily routine: freezing, she froze the lakes, shrivelled the trees up with frost and then layered the forest with a heaping of snow, freezing the poor animals. Then with a flick of her wrist, she magicked herself a bejewelled mirror (out of ice, of course), and there she was, vainly praising herself: “Oh, aren’t I the most beautiful and gorgeous season ever!”
She flaunted herself checking out her sharp facial features. “I just know the other mundane seasons are jealous of me!” she cackled boastfully.
Winter laughed and laughed until she saw another spirit in the distance: it wasn’t icy like her but warm and flowery. “Spring…” she groaned. “What do you want here?” she moaned.
“Nothing,” Spring sang, “I was just here to tell you it’s my turn now.”
“YOUR TURN!” she screamed highly, shattering icicles. “I haven’t even finished!!”
Spring looked around the forest. Unfinished? This looks way way more than just finished, she thought, while the snow melted under her flowery dress “You have done more than enough, Winter! Maybe have a break.” She giggled. “You look very tired; I see bags under your eyes,” she said.
“WAIT, REALLY?” shrieked Winter in fear, while looking at herself in the mirror searching for any imperfections,
“And if you want those to go away, I suggest you rest, I’ve got this now,” Spring giggled, while leading Winter to her ice crystal sleigh.
“OK, but you better not mess with anything, not even a single speck,” Winter warned sternly, then with a click of her sharp fingers, her sleigh flew away.
“What a beauty drama queen,” Spring chuckled, and as she lifted her hands up, the snow at once melted, making a joyful atmosphere, then the trees grew their leaves back, but now with pretty flowers to adorn it, then the grass grew and was splattered with daffodils, roses, and petunias.
“You can come out now,” she sang sweetly, and soon mice, rabbits, and all sorts appeared and began to roam freely under the glorious golden sun. The forest was soon full of sounds as the cheerful birds came back singing in beautiful harmonies, ready to welcome their queen of the forest with a crown of flowers.
“Welcome back, Queen Spring!” they all announced.