A_Promise_Well_Kept

A Promise Well Kept Early one morning in a town between Salzburg and Vienna two sisters were playing. Grethel and Liezl lived with their uncle in a big house at the end of the street. There was however another dwelling at the end of the street. When people talked about that place they always referred to it as the strange house at the end of the street. Grethel and Liezl were afraid of that house. They saw shadows and heard sounds so strange it gave them nightmares. But little did Grethel and Liezl know that they would become explorers of that mysterious house. “Liezl,” said Grethel. “let‘s play a game of hide and seek! You start counting and I’m going to hide.” Grethel wanted a good hiding place, so that day she decided to hide in the garden next door. Nobody ever went there she thought. “Grethel!” Liezl called, but nobody answered. When Liezl looked down, she saw footprints the size if Grethel’s shoes and followed them. Looking up, Liezl saw something even she wasn’t capable of imagining… There were big trees with yellow and red leaves. In the trees were nests not only of exotic birds, but of fairies – blue fairies! Their nests were mad of grass, hair, feathers, fur and tree glue. Shadows danced on a nearby pond and a swarm of tiny red elves were whirring above the dark water. Inside the pond, with toad-like eyes, long hair, hands covered with scales and skin as white as lilies, were freshwater mermaids! Liezl found her way to Grethel slowly and careful not to frighten the creatures. Cobwebs wet with dew clung to their clothes. “We must look after the children and their uncle” said one merry fairy fellow. They can talk! thought Liezl .”We must leave, Grethel, before uncle Klaus worries.” In front of the strange house, two men were putting up a board that read ‘Caution. This is a construction site. New café and convenience store to be erected.’ Grethel and Liezl raced home with shock. They told uncle Klaus about what they saw. His eyes gave it all away. He knew exactly who and what they were talking about. And then he told them... Klaus lived in this town from the day he was born. As a boy he loved exploring and discovering. One day he saw an abandoned house which scared him a great deal, but he decided to have a look around. It was there that he first met the fairies, flying red elves, and mermaids. He made friends with them and vowed to protect them and their home as best he possibly can. When Klaus started to work he bought the house next to the fairies. Horrified with the news about the café and convenience store he started thinking of a plan to save the fairies. A week passed, with Klaus negotiating with the manager of the construction company , and eventually Klaus won the battle. The cafe would be built on Klaus’ property and as for Klaus, Grethel and Liezl – they would move in with the fairies. In the end the fairies, elves and mermaids were protected. The big house was a very successful café, and sometimes, when nobody noticed, the fairies too would drop in for a cafe latte. Klaus, Grethel and Liezl lived happily ever after.