The snow seemed to fall like rain outside the cottage window.  Though the trees were close by and usually kept most snow and wind out of her little clearing it looked like today would be a great blizzard.  Well there was usually one every winter.  One that would blow through for a few days and leave her stranded in a winter wonderland till spring.  Yet she did not mind it.  It was at this time that she enjoyed the most.  

The village did not understand why she liked her privacy in the woods.  She knew all the women favorite past time was to speak of her and her ways if nothing else was going on for their wagging tongues.  It was for that reason why she liked living here.  The space the walk through the woods between her and the village helped keep those wagging tongues off her.  If she lived in town they would be more wagging and she had too much to do then deal with those who wished to prattle all day.  Her larder was always full, the wood needed for the fire always plentiful.  For her knowledge as a wise women gave her the means to trade for what she needed, and every prattling tongue secretly came to ask for the medications and herbs needed for their children's aches and pains, their husbands sore hands and even for their own beauty.  

The village all called her Granny for her name had been lost for decades.  Yet Granny she was to all the women looking for advice, for the children's questions and scrapes.  Every man of the village respected her wisdom.  Even the town drunk did not have a bad word for her.  They were thankful for the help she gave and in return made sure that she was in comfort and able to care for herself in these winter months.  No one wanted to lose Granny, for no reason. 

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Yet it was these days she loved the most.  Spring was planting and helping the young ones with their heart problems.  Summer aches and scrapes.  Fall the danger of the harvest and preparation for winter.  It was winter she was left alone, safe and secure in her little cottage.  The blizzard would mean she would be without company until spring.  Which meant it was time for her to open her treasure. 

A whistle blew in the kitchen, letting her know that the hot water for her tea was ready.  Soon she would pour her tea, open her treasure and prepare in her comfortable chair to hold her as she would emerge herself into new worlds and knowledge. 

Yet as she trotted toward the kitchen a bump was heard at her front door.  What would that be?  That did not sound like snow, and there was not enough snow to have fallen from the roof yet. She had seen no light coming down the path.  Another bump startled her as she looked.  Should she open the door?  She knew that the woods were not safe all the time and her stout door kept out much, but what if it was someone in need?  It was not a knock but a bump.  What would make a bump?

Slowly she moved to the door.  She could hear some scraping at the bottom.  With a deep breathe she slowly opened it.

On her doorstep shivering wearing little than rags a green little man looked up at her.

Well it looks like this winter would not be as quiet as she planned it to be.