Monday, August 22, 2011

The Fortune Teller's House


With this post I thought I might bring your attention to a small, rustic tree house just east of Gwelf on the Old North Road. The Fortune Teller lives here with her two sisters and it is their business to tell you the truth. If you are not interested in the truth you will pass this house and continue happily on your way in comfortable and ignorant bliss. If however you are interested in the truth you will proceed with caution to the front door. By the time they get you to the back porch it will be too late. You are going to hear all the truth you could ever hope for whether you like it or not.
Shevka
Shevka is the middle sister. She reads the cards and tells the fortunes. Shevka is the one most people remember. She does not speak directly to you but to herself. Grenka is the youngest. She makes the wine and serves the wine. She asks the questions and does most of the talking.  People like talking to Grenka. Penyoval is the oldest sister and the one no one sees. She is very powerful. She makes and lights the candles. Candles infused with particle magic that play music in your head and unlock the doors in your mind. Candle waxing is the most subtle and difficult of the fortune telling arts. The cards and the wine and the candles will make the truth unavoidable. You will speak it and you will hear it. There will be no stopping it.

Grenka

Penyoval
Some people are okay with that much truth but not everyone is. The truths are told and then written on paper and placed in small clay pots. The pots are taken down to the bridge spanning the ravine and dropped over the side. This completes the process.  For some, the fortunes are too much to bear and they throw themselves over the side instead and plunge into the gorge below. The sisters cannot help this or stop it. It is not their business what you do with the your fortune but only that you hear it once you cross the threshold. The bones and broken pots are piling up down there. It's a very lonely place.


Please proceed with caution. Be well and go in peace. The sisters are waiting.

12 comments:

WOL said...

I love it! -- If ever there was a story begging to be written, that's it. You've already got the illustrations well in hand. You should write the story that goes with them.

Nate said...

This is an excellent concept! Though, I really love the illustration for the ravine at the end. You really capture the ominous feeling the place.

Larry MacDougall said...

WOL - thanks so much. I would love to be able to flesh out this little story.
Perhaps one day I will have the time. The support and encouragement is very much appreciated.

Larry MacDougall said...

Thanks Nate - We'll have to come back to this location for another visit one of these days. Your feedback is much appreciated.

Emerson Fialho said...

Belos trabalhos, parabéns!

Porky said...

It really is magical. I can't get enough of these, although I did almost overlook this one. Thanks for another fine wander.

Larry MacDougall said...

Thanks Porky, and of course you're quite welcome.

Larry MacDougall said...

Thanks Emerson. :)

Jennifer said...

Love this story, the words and the pictures. Looking forward to when you have time to write and draw more for this.

Jennifer said...

Also, just noticed that your Travel Advisory 6 isn't up on your blog. I got an update, but there is no page for it. Not sure if it was an on purpose removal or a mistake. Wanted you to know.

Larry MacDougall said...

Hi Jennifer - thanks so much ! Yes I know that a couple of recent posts have come down. I had my doubts about them and so took them down to give them a re-think. I will post them again soon. Thanks for noticing. :)

charisse said...

I hope you keep writing these short stories and ofcourse illustrating it...I can't wait for the next post!Thank you for sharing it. :)