Here is the next part to yesterday’s post,The Bridge of Surprises The sequel is written around the word “crumb” today.
Vibrant, colorful birds flew around them. They heard the distant roar of a waterfall.
Chip looked up at Belle, his brown eyes full of wonder. “Where are we?”
Belle’s eyes reflected the same question. She still couldn’t get over the fact that the bell had worked! Never before had any of the fictional stories she read come true. This was beyond her wildest imagination. What did she do now?
“Look! There are crumbs on the ground. Its like someone made a trail. Can we follow it and see where it leads?” Chip looked at Belle, pleading with his eyes, and a touch of excitement in his voice.
“Sure we can, but take my hand. How would I ever explain to your Mom what happened, if you disappeared?
Immediately Chip took her hand, he was eager to get going.
As they walked they were serenaded by the birds. Bright blue butterflies took turns resting on their shoulders.
“Belle, you have the bestest kind of adventures! This is much more fun than picking gooseberries.”
Belle smiled and tousled his curly locks with her hand.
They kept walking and began to wonder how long this trail of crumbs was. Sometimes the trail had several twists in it, but they kept following it. Belle did decide that if they came to a house decorated with candy they would run fast! She wasn’t going to end up like Hansel and Gretel!
Belle was soaking in the pleasure of seeing so many stunning flowers. It was like they were all dressed in their finest attire.
“Look!”
Chip tugged on Belle’s arm. They both stared at the charming cabin ahead of them. Was this where they were supposed to go?
There were cheery yellow curtains in the windows and flower boxes of purple pansies in rhe windows. Whoever lived in the cabin, did a super job of making the cabin look inviting.
The door to the cabin swung open and a woman came out running with open arms. She stopped short at the sight of Belle and Chip.
“Who are you?? Where is he? Where is the one I love?
Chip and Belle didn’t know what to say to the crazy woman shouting at them. Seeing her shocked them, even before she had opened her mouth. She was a troll!
“Sorry ma’am, we don’t know who you mean. All we did was follow the trail of crumbs, and it led us here.”
The lady’s expression softened, but her eyes looked full of pain. Belle, who had a caring heart, felt sorry for her.
“Who are you looking for? Can I help?”
“My Ivan. My beloved. He lives under a bridge. He was supposed to come here with me, but he didn’t bave my hand when I rang the bell long ago. I wanted to go back to him but a squirrel ran away with the enchanted bell.”
Belle’s pulse quickened. Ivan, the Ivan that they had just escaped from? The miserable Ivan! One could see the kindness in her eyes in spite of the pain. She was opposite of Ivan, but perhaps he was a miserable hater because of a broken heart?
“I think I may be able to find him for you.”
A spark of longing and hope filled the woman’s eyes. Belle had to try, no matter how she felt about Ivan. Maybe being with his true love would.change him.
“Chip, grab my hand.” Belle took the cowbell out of her pocket and rang it. POOF! When the purple and pink smoke cleared, they were back on the troll’s bridge.
To their amazement Ivan was sitting on the bridge with tears in his eyes. He didn’t even yell at them when he saw them, he only looked at them in shock.
“My love disappeared long ago into a cloud of purple and pink smoke, like you all did. But she never came back.”
“Ivan grab my hand, I have a surprise for you.”
He looked uncertain and poor Chip wasn’t so sure either about taking Ivan the terrible with them. At least he had grabbed Belle’s hand, and not Chip’s.
“You really want to do something nice for me, after how I treated you and the boy?”
“I will always help someone find true love. Its beyond time that you are reunited with yours.”
“Thank you, and I am sorry for how I acted before.”
Chip’s mouth dropped open. Ivan had actually apologized! Miracles do happen!
The bell rang and POOF! They were transported back to the woods, in front of the cabin.
“Ivan!” The woman yelled. They embraced and when they kissed, Chip and Belle couldn’t believe their eyes. Ivan’s warts disappeared from his arm!
The woman, Susan, hugged Belle and thanked her. Ivan looked like a new person, smiling ear ear. Gratitude shining from his eyes. He joked with Chip and laughter bubbled out of him. His change of heart was incredible! Oh, what the touch of true love could do.
Belle was delighted that she had been able to help them. Chip, pulled on her arm. “Can we go back now. I am getting hungry, and all their kissing is making me sick.”
Laughing, Belle took his hand. Ivan and Susan were oblivious to them, they were lost in each other’s eyes.
Belle’s heart was warmed and she rang the bell. POOF! They were back on the bridge. It didn’t take them long to pick enough gooseberries for a pie. Some made it into Chip’s mouth, not the basket.
That night Mrs Potts baked a delicious Gooseberry pie. Chip and Belle talked about their magical adventure and everyone lived happily ever after.
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