The Mud-witch - a short story collaboration | Page 23

***
Downstream, downstream, the Mud-witch digs for junk at the river’s silty edge. Sometimes the
things she pulls up and takes home have wishes inside. She still grumbles to herself when she
stuffs them under her pillow and dreams them true.
But sometimes, while she is ankle-deep in the brown river water, a tiny boat comes floating in
the current. The Mud-witch hooks it in with the old fishing rod she found not long ago, and
goes to put the dented kettle on. While it boils, she levers up the deck of the toy boat and
unwraps the iced buns packed tightly inside.

20