The Toy Shoppe

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On a small coast of a land not unfamiliar, there was the smallest village, where the smallest girl was born.

“Here.” Rose nearly shouted at her mother, pointing at the painted map.
“Well done.” Muttered a wearied mother, while shifting the weight of little brother and continuing about her business. Rose began to dance in excitement at the praise.
Mother glanced over her shoulder and said “Don’t go too far now.”

Rose beamed with excitement and danced away. Rose had just learned to read in school. She danced through the rows of streets reading every sign she could find. Rose came to a large old gypsy wagon with the most beautiful sign Rose had ever seen. The sign was well carved and featured big green letters. “Toy Shoppe” whispered Rose. With a gleam in her eye she bounded to the small frosted window of the wagon. Inside there was a handsome man dancing with a beautiful marionette doll.

"Oh how I wish I could dance with that man.” she whispered to herself.

The doll tilted towards her and quite suddenly, the dancing stopped. With a small pop, the doll’s neck went limp, and her wooden body collapsed to the floor. The handsome man put his hands on his hips and tapped his foot. He turned to the small window and Rose felt his stare. The man’s expression had changed and he was very polite to Rose, inviting her inside. He put away the doll that had fallen and brought out an even more beautiful doll. Rose watched as they began to dance.

Rose’s eyes began to water, “I wish I could dance like that.” She said. Immediately filled with regret she blushed.
The man said with a smile, “Ah, but you are already beautiful.” He paused, nearly winking. “Would you like to be a doll?” gesturing with both arms to the rows of marionette dolls behind him.
Rose’s eyes grew. “More than anything in the whole world.” Whispered Rose.
“Very well.” Said the Man. With a graceful bow the man lifted a curtain behind the shop front. Once inside he showed Rose a machine like no other. Rose thought it appeared to be like a beautiful brass birdcage. “This is where they learn to dance.” The man whispered.

Without hesitation Rose jumped into the machine. “My doll will dance the greatest dance.” She boasted. With a smile the man pulled a large lever, and the machine sprang to life. Polished brass goggles lowered to the machine and Rose lost her sight. Cuffs and string bound her arms and she lost her freedom.

Rose gasped quietly as she realized she had left her body behind. She had become a marionette doll. Her miniature dress waved gracefully as she spun around. “It is beautiful.” She said while trying to cry. “I am beautiful.” She continued, without realizing her voice was not heard.

Rose began to dance with the man. They danced for a long time. People and children began to visit the shop more frequently. They came to see Rose, the most beautiful, magic dancing marionette doll in the village.

Time was no longer relevant to Rose, yet on one particularly busy Monday, Rose thought about mother. She had been dancing for a long time. Rose had nearly forgotten about mother and little brother. Rose felt sadness build behind her eyes. It was then Rose decided that if she ever could find mother again, she would learn to listen.
“Don’t go too far now.” Mother’s words echoed in Rose’s ears.
Rose tried to cry out, and with a small pop, her neck went limp, and her wooden body collapsed to the floor.

Many more days passed, Rose no longer danced as well. A young man entered the shop, his eyes wide at the magic dancing marionette before him. Rose looked up, and was paralyzed. Little brother had entered the shop. Little brother was no longer little, and he began to speak with the handsome shop man.

“No.” Rose tried to shout. With a small pop, her neck went limp and her wooden body collapsed to the floor.