
“I swear it was here!”
The clearing in the forest was odd, no denying it. Flora refused to take root.
“Come on, pull the other one. I suppose you’re going to say the cottage sprouted legs and walked away?”
“Well…”
“And I suppose the cottage peed itself too, and that’s why there is a massive puddle. You sound like Grandma. You know she fibs, right?”
“Baba Yaga is real. Grandma says she protects those who believe.”
“You are so gullible. Stories to keep the naughty inline.”
A shadow engulfed the siblings.
The house with chicken legs bent at the knees and crushed the non-believer. Baba Yaga waved.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Story Notes
Baba Yaga is a character from Slavic folklore. Her house with chicken legs has become an iconic image. I keep seeing images pop up here and there online. She baits The Muse. According to folklore, she is an old witch-type entity who eats children. Yummy. In some tales, she helps the hero. Maybe she has the Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde thing happening. Who knows?
If Baba Yaga keeps nagging, I’ll be breaking and entering her house. Invite myself to party with other Slavic figures. Because I need another culture to bastardise honour.
Writer Update
Apologies to Friday Fictioneers (and other readers) for missing in action during December. I pulled a muscle in my shoulder. Lucky for me, I could do pretty much everything but type and use my trackpad. The shoulder is fine now, but I’m taking it slowly just in case.
Eats children and helps the hero? Looks like she is doing both in this one – she is only hungry enough for one child, so she will only eat the disbelieving sibling….
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Now that’s favouritism! She sounds like a god. 😀
Thanks, T.
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In some of the ancient folk lore there isn’t too much difference between forest spirits and gods, so…
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That’s the only thing to do with unbelievers. Smite them with great smiting, pour encourager les autres
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That’s the spirit!
Thanks, N.
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Excellent take, T! Sorry about your shoulder but glad it is on the mend!
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It’s been a good excuse to do very little. 😀
Thanks, D.
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Nothing wrong with that – if you need an excuse…
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Dear Tannille,
I’ll be watching out for Baba Yaga. 😉 She’s new to me. Sorry to hear about your shoulder. Glad you’re back.
Shalom and Happy New Year,
Rochelle
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Must admit I knew nothing about Slavic folklore but the house keeps popping up. She’s quite the character. As for my shoulder, December is a good time take life easy.
Thanks, R!
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This is great. I love the ‘cottage pee’ idea. Very funny. But then to squash one of your characters! It pays to believe grandma. I’ll remember that.
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The original fairy tales were mean to children. I kept the spirit. 😀. Always believe grandma!
Thanks, M.
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Now that is a haunted house, and able to conceal itself where ever and when ever. Best believe when out waking, just to avoid the Baba Yaga
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If you see the house — RUN!
Thanks, J.
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Always good to believe in what’s real. Well done.
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Thanks, A.
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Great to see you back, I’ve had a break from it all too, due to unspecified laziness.. But a fairy tale is always a good place to go, it’s where I started my FF journey, an old lady who lived in a shoe I believe! Good stuff, love the chicken legged house!
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Sometimes a break is needed. It’s great for the mind. Fairy tales are fun to rework.
Thanks, TMOSW.
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Good to see you back on the grid! Sorry you were laid up, but ,maybe your muse just needed a break 🙂
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Breaks do help with inspiring The Muse.
Thanks, L.
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Always believe in grandma – great story and glad you are back writing 🙌
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Thanks, A. 😀
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Yee, what a cruel little house. I think the squishing was the mud and the kid got stuck in it, but reality of fairy tales is much more cruel than my imagination. Great story, Tannille.
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The original fairy tales are brutal. Baba reminds me of the witch in Hansel and Gretel. Times were horrific back then. I often read old tales and my jaw drops. So not Disney.
Thanks, G.
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Glad your shoulder is on the mend, T. Ah the capriciousness of mythical creatures! I’m sure she didn’t want her sibling destroyed and possibly eaten. To see Baba Yaga wave would be unnerving considering the circumstances!
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The original fairytales tend to be dark. The house needs feeding — I just made that up. Stay away from Baba Yaga!
Thanks, L.
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🙂 YW, T!
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Stay away from Baba Yaga, believer or non. Very creative! I’m glad your shoulder’s on the mend. Take care of yourself. 🙂
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She’s not a character I’d mess with.
Thanks, B.
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scary stuff. 😦
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Thanks, P.
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Thanks for the explanation or I may have thought Baba Yaga was the show between Yo Gabba Gabba! and Teletubbies.
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Fair call.
Thanks, N.
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Fun story, glad you are on the mend.
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Thanks, D.
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Baba Yaga works faster than karma!
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She certainly does!
Thanks, L.
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