Home » Reading & Literature » Folklore » Gothic House

Gothic House

© Virginia Marin

"We have been waiting for you, Emily," an unseen voice whispered. "Don't just stand there. Pick up the box."

Em showed no fear. She walked softly toward the bed. "It belongs to you now, Emily. Open the box."

She hesitated. "Emily, you must open the box." The voice eminated from a ghostly gray smoke which hovered over the sleeping man's bed. Emily took the box and opened it. As she did, the smoke turned green, then yellow and blue. From the colors emerged a brightly dressed wizard who caused the room to fill with the fragrance of frakincense and myrrh. Then a golden light flooded the crypt opening the eyes of the sleeping ones though their forms remained still as if in death.

"Why, its a cameo," Emily said happily. She instinctively reached into her pocket. Her cameo was not there. Excitedly, Em removed the carving from its resting place.

"Read aloud from the back, turning the cameo eleven times, first to the left then to the right, as you say each word slowly," instructed the wizard.

Emily read aloud:
For Emily on her twenty-third birthday.
Love Mother and Father.

As she read, the two figures opened their eyes. Their youth returning, they stretched and stood up tall like young trees. Emily recognized them as her parents. The wizard said, "You have broken the spell, Emily. We are all freed at last from our imprisonment." Emily and her parents hugged and kissed and danced in happy circles as the chuckling wizard clapped with glee. Dancing until they became dizzy, each fell to the floor. They awoke, seemingly having tea and birthday cake, in the withdrawing room with the two women, who now recognized Emily as their younger sister.

The wizard explained to Emily how an evil witch had cast a spell on himself, her parents and sisters. After all was said and done, Emily replaced the cameo at her neck and, giving the jolly wizard a big hug and kiss, the mahogany door closed on their happiness.

And so, from that day forward mother, father, Beth, Hillary, Emily and the gaily dressed wizard, 6 tiny china dolls, lived happily ever after - in their Gothic Doll House.

By Dubh Sidhe

For more on dollhouses and miniatures, visit Bill Weiss and his small world at the Suite.

What in the world is a Blackamoor? Scroll down a short way for a descriptive picture.

The Moonlit Road presents ghost stories and strange folktales of the American South told by the region's most celebrated storytellers. A personal favorite.