Two glasses of wine, please.
Sorry, that happens all the time.
These gems will pay for the wine
and the meal, and the beds, yes?
Oops, glad you caught that one.
Rarely get a pearl so large.
How did this happen to me?
Out of a kindness shown.
A cup of water shared.
A crust of bread halved.
And the next morning - these riches,
with every sentence.
There is no stopping it.
My sister? My half sister.
No, she is not so happily afflicted.
It always draws a crowd.
That is why we chose this little inn,
with no patrons.
You may think of this as a gift.
But it can be a burden,
a danger even.
Some have thought to keep us, to hurt us.
We have learned to recognize greed.
Wow, that sure is a splendid emerald.
Yes, yes, take what you want.
There is always more.
Well, that was a fine meal.
The wine was excellent, although rather spicy.
I am uncommonly weary.
If you could just show us to our room?
No need to...
I said...
What I want to say...
Stop!
Sister!
Thank the man for his hospitality.
Oh indeed it is a huge snake, and deadly.
There now quick and painless.
Sister, do not look so squeamish.
Haven't you got used to this by now?
Go get the gems on the bar,
leave the pearl and the emerald for his wife.
Off to bed and say your prayers.
We may need the protection.
Marcia A. Sherman specializes in faerie tales, folklore, and fables. Her most recent published work of fiction, September Harvest, can be found in The Monsters We Forgot, Volume 3, by Soteira Press. Ms. Sherman also contributes essays and short works to The Fairy Tale Magazine, and Llewellyn Worldwide, under the pen name Emyme.
Image: "Diamonds and Toads" by Margaret Evans Price
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