Alice and the Well

Slipping out of bed, she tip-toed down the steps.  Carefully she undid the latch and opened the door.  Looking around the dark house, she walked through the door leaving it wide open behind her.  Running through the grass, she ran towards the forest and was soon darting amongst the trees.  She knew her path well.  She often walked among the beautiful trees admiring how tall they were.  Sometimes she’d try and see their tops and would fall over into the soft grass that carpeted the forest floor.  Alice loved that grass, and now as she ran through it, her heart beating wilding, it felt like velvet beneath her feet.  She was almost there.

"Oh prince!  Where are you?!"  Alice called out softly.  She didn’t want to disturb anyone.  But there was no answer.  Waiting a few moments, she tried again, "Oh prince!  My prince, where are you?!  I’ve come to see you!"  Beginning to worry a bit she continued walking in the dark forest softly calling out to the prince, "Where are you my prince.  I couldn’t wait until tomorrow to see you again.  I had to see you now…"  Her voice trailed off as a few of the trees began to move and russel.  Quickly touching her cheek she knew the wind wasn’t blowing and she became suddenly afraid. 

She whimpered slightly as she became more and more frightened.  "Prince… oh my frog prince, where are you!  I’m scared, don’t leave me here!"  Before she knew what was going on, a tree infront of her turned and looked down at her.  Its deep watery eyes suggest eons of wisdom, but she didn’t notice.  Screaming she began to turn and run, but was suddenly hoisted off the ground. 

"Harrrooom… Not so much noice please.  Why such the hurry," came a deep voice that seem to shake the very ground.  Covering her face, she went to scream again, then realized the tree had talked to her.  Looking up at those eyes again, she studied them closely this time, and in doing so she found she was no afraid of them. 

"Um, I’m sorry sir.  You startled me.  I meant no offense.  My name is Alice and I was looking for my frog prince.  Could you help me find him… um… mr.?"  A reverberant noise eminated from the tree looking man’s chest.  Alice supposed it was akin to a chuckle. 

"You can call me Treebeard.  As for your prince, I spoke with him earlier and he was going for a swim in the well." 

"Oh thank you Mr. Treebeard.  Have a good evening" Alice said as Treebeard put her down.  Waving, she turned and began to run towards the well.  Reaching the little well, she peered into the murky water and called out softly, "Oh prince?  Where are you.  It is your Alice, and I’ve come to see you."  Seeing a sparkle just under the waters surface, she leaned down further to take a closer look and fell in!

The water was cold, and felt much more forceful than it looked.  It also seemed to have no bottom.  Quickly she swam up, or at least it felt like up.  As her head broke the surface she wiped the water from her eyes and looked around to find no forest surrounding her.  All she could see was water.  Water as far as the eye could see!  Letting out a surprised moan, she began wondering what she was going to do!  It was the middle of the night and although she was an excellent swimmer, she couldn’t swim forever.  Screaming in frustration she suddenly heard shouts behind her.

"Man overboard… er, rather.  Woman overboard!"  Came one of the shouts.  Turning she saw a large sailing ship coming towards her.  As it neared it slowed and a rope was lowered to her.  Grasping the rope she was hoisted onto the ship.  Sputtering and soaking wet, she knelt on the deck shivering with cold.  Suddenly she was draped with a large blanket and many hands where rubbing the blanket against her to get her warm.  Turning her head she saw two friendly eyes staring back at her. 

"Call me Ishmael.  You are aboard the Pequod under captain Ahab."  Ishmael smiled at her.  She attempted to smile but only managed to chatter her teeth even more.  Ishmael laughed, "Don’t worry, we’ll get your warm again."

Suddenly there were shouts all over the ship and Ahab came limping by.  "Man the harpoons!" he shouted.  Alice wasn’t sure why, but she was afraid of him.  As he passed the ship suddenly lurched to one side and Alice slid across the deck and over the rail.

Before she even hit the water, the giant white whale appeared below her with its mouth open.  Without even a second thought she was swallowed whole and sent to the belly of the beast.  Being tossed about with large amounts of water she was dumped into the stomach and sat coughing.  Suddenly there was light and she looked up to see a small wooden boy lighting a candle.  "Uh, hello," it said.  "He’s kind of upset today.  Probably Ahab after him again.  I’m sorry it was such a bumpy ride."  The wooden boy’s cheeks creaked as he smiled.  "I’m Pinocchio." 

"Nice to meet you," Alice said standing and courtseying to him.  "I’m Alice.  You wouldn’t have happen to seen a frog prince would you?"

"Matter of fact I haven’t."  As Pinocchio began to say this, his nose grew.  "Er, I mean, I saw him, but I didn’t talk to him…" and he nose began to grow again.  "What I meant to say is… um… er…"

Alice put her hands on her hips and looked at Pinocchio.  He just looked down at the floor and said, "Okay, okay.  Yes I saw him and we talked.  He said he was on his way to lift a curse so he could be with is lovely Alice… OH!"  Looking up at her, he suddenly realized who she was.  "YOU’RE Alice!  I might have said too much…"

Running to him she hugged Pinocchio and asked how she could get out.  "Well, I’m not quite sure yet, you see, I’ve been here awhile…" he said rather dejectedly, but then looked up excitedly, "But, you could always try the blow hole!"  Standing he took her by the hand and pulled her in the direction of the spout.  "Here, just stand here and…"

Suddenly there was a spray of water and Alice was sent flying through the spout into the air.

"Dear, you okay?"  Opening her eyes suddenly, she sat up quickly and looked right at Anne.  "Everything alright?" Anne asked.  "Enjoying those books?"

Looking around she saw three books on the table before her…  The Two Towers, Moby Dick, and Le Avventure di Pinocchio.  "Oh, yes…  Very much so.  Thank you Ms. Dame."  Alice said with a large smile.

"You’re welcome.  If you like those ones, I have lots more to choose from," Anne said pointing to the rows and rows of books that lined the library shelves.  "I’d love to share t

hem with you."