My people say that a witch lives on the other side of the wood, near the great river. She steals children. She flings her ball in the direction of a child’s home, and when the child starts to chase it, she reels in her prey. The child is never seen again.

It is all true, because I followed that magic glass ball with its changing hues. It led me to the witch’s house, but I soon discovered she was not the Bad One. The Bad One lived on the other side of the river, and the witch was looking for someone strong enough to confront the Bad One. It meant going without food long enough to be filled with all the good, powerful spirits who would be needed to meet the challenge. I said I would do it. I would carry the ball.

Ball-Carrier in Ball Carrier and the Bad One, Brown Fairy Book. Illustration by Michelle Tocher.

 The Witch