The mystical shop
What on earth should I buy her? I was searching for a present for ‘Wee Wifey’. Suddenly, I stumbled upon the entrance to what looked like a cute little shop selling all sorts of odd bits and pieces. One of those tiny gift places, you know the sort.
I walked in, and saw an item I instantly liked (I cannot tell you what it is). So I entered further, and realised the shop was actually a cave. I could see the shopkeeper, who was a beautiful, petite, Chinese princess, all dressed up in her regal red and gold finery. She was standing behind an ancient-looking wooden box, which I guessed was being used as the sales counter.
MAGIC SPARKLE
Amazed at this sight, I found it increasingly difficult to approach her. As I walked up to the counter, the walls and ceiling started closing in on me, forcing me to stoop and crouch down low. Eventually I became as compact as the cute little shopkeeper.
‘Can I help you?’ she whispered. I could see a magic sparkle in her eyes, like pools in the cave, reflecting what little light reached into the depths of that place.
‘Yes, I’d like this, please,’ as I pointed to the item by the doorway – which now seemed a long way off, in the distance. I felt bad about asking her to get it for me.
I needn’t have worried. The shopkeeper seemed to glide effortlessly across the floor of the cave, picked up the item and glided back. Suddenly, I saw a movement behind her. I wondered what it was. At first I thought it was a big dog. I looked closer. It was a baby dragon. Its wings were just stumps on its back, but its body was muscular and its head was dark, almost black as the night. The shopkeeper stroked her mythic pet as I handed her the money for my purchase.
EYE CONTACT
Although I was shocked to see a dragon in a high street store, I dared not make eye contact with the creature. I was too afraid to do that. As we carried out the transaction, the dragon slipped into a back room to chew on something. I hoped it wasn’t anything…human. Fortunately, it turned out to be one of those plastic mobile phone toys that you can buy for your pet pooch.
‘Here we are,’ said the lovely shopkeeper, as she handed me my change, along with a bag containing the gift for my wife. I said goodbye and left.
The cave dissolved behind me. As I reached the doorway, it had become a shopfront again. I could just about discern the outline of the shopkeeper and what looked like a dog (but was actually a dragon). I stood in the high street and looked around me, wondering if I should tell other shoppers, and warn them about the beauty and her beast. But what could I say? In the end I decided to blend into the crowd and not say anything, just mind my own business.
It’s always easier that way.
