Don't Be Afraid

Galatea ended her protection spell with an extra verse,

“Tonight the spirits roam,

protection now is three fold.”

The air around the perimeter began to shimmer as it formed a giant bubble around their campsite area. The dome allowed one to see the stars and the moon but not anything beyond.

Galatea opened her pouch. Litho her bullfrog looked up at her with big eyes and blurted out, “You changed the spell? Are we in danger?”

Setting him down, Galatea patted his head, “Everything is fine. I need to rest and then I’ll explain.”

“Soooo, we are in danger?”

“No, everything is okay, I’m exhausted.” replied Galatea as she sat down on her bedroll and ate some nuts and dried fruit. Then she laid down and closed her eyes.

“You can’t sleep? We could die!” Litho exclaimed as he looked around the area.

Opening one eyelid Galatea replied, “We are completely safe. No worries. Now please, let me rest.”

Litho glanced over to the swampy area but instead of leaving he hopped next to Galatea’ arm Looking up at her he softly sang,

“Bom bom bom bom

Slurp them down

Bom bom bom bom

Squishy and round

Bom bom bom bom

Wings or feet

Hm, hm, hm, hm

They are a treat.”

The singing stopped when he noticed Galatea was lightly breathing. Scanning the bushes and trees he listened. Then hopped towards the marsh, picking up speed when he spied a caterpillar.

An hour later Galatea sat up. “We are safe my dear frog. Tonight is All Hallows Eve. The one night of the year spirits good and evil rise up and cause havoc around the world. I placed a powerful protection over us. Anything happening outside of the bubble will not bother us. The only problem is when I cast a more powerful spell it drains my energy. That is why I gathered firewood and got my bedroll set up for the night before I walked the perimeter.

Galatea snapped her fingers at the stack of wood but only a couple small sparks hit the dry leaves. She leaned over and softly blew at them until they glowed and spread outwards to the twigs and logs. Then she reached over and tapped Litho’s nose, “What would I do without you. Thanks for singing to me. It did help me feel better. Now go get something to eat you silly frog.”

“I already did. You’ve been sleeping for a loooong time.”

“I was really tired. Since you ate, are you ready for a bedtime story?”

“Yes, yes, and yes,” Litho said, sitting up straight.

“On this night it is customary to tell scary stories. Would you like a ghost story?”

“I would. And…..I won’t be afraid.” he answered while nodding.

“Wonderful, I need to go and get something first in order to tell the story.”

Galatea got up and searched the ground until she found a couple of green stones stuck into the dirt. After digging them out she walked over to the fire and she threw one into the flames and said,

“Fire burn

fire bright

Make a ghost

appear tonight.”

The flames of the fire intensified. The rock began to glow and change into swirling green smoke. Rising up higher it took the shape of a ghost who appeared to be walking on top of the logs. Litho applauded, “He’s funny. Tell me a ghost story please.”

“Once there was a burial ground digger named Graves who came upon a cute girl with antlers walking down a path.

“Is it you?” asked Litho.

Galatea giggled and replied, “Maybe? You’ll have to listen to find out. Graves couldn’t resist making fun of her antlers and made the girl cry.

A green hat wizard named Meridian happened to be walking down the same path. He held up his wand and told Graves to stop saying hurtful things or he would turn him into a rock. Graves pleaded with the wizard. He promised to be a nicer person. The wizard decided to let Graves have another chance.

The next day a cute little green frog hopped by Graves.

“It’s me!”

“Maybe? You’ll need to keep listening. Graves called the frog “ugly” and laughed at him. Meridian showed up again and with a quick flick of his wand there was a green stone on the ground. Meridian buried the stone into the dirt and left.

Graves never bothers anyone again except on each All Hallows Eve night if the stone is placed into a fire he rises up.” Litho and Galatea both stared at the fire and the ghost walking back and forth. Galatea handed another rock to Litho and said, “Here throw this into the fire.”

Litho took the stone and threw it as hard as he could into the flames. The rock flew right into the ghost. Graves called out:

"Bones bones

who rattle my bones

Don't dig by head or down by my toes

Bones bones

leave me alone

Or I will grab you with one loud moan"

Galatea looked over at Litho. Litho stared at the ghost and then back at Galatea, “Whooooo’s talking?”

Galatea laughed, “It’s me. I put a spell on both of the rocks when you weren’t looking. There’s no Graves. I made it all up.”

She snapped her fingers and the ghost vanished. “Happy All Hallows Eve, you silly frog.”