Genie in a Mirror (Story and Background)

            A curious story I heard while growing up in a small village on the outskirts at the edge of the world.  It was told to me by a strange woman with a quick smile and stardust in her eyes.

"So I was walking through the Andalusian forest one day when I saw an oval mirror resting in a tree.

Now I had never seen one like this before so I stopped for a closer inspection.  I soon became mesmerized by the play of light and shadows on the glassy surface as the setting sun sent long shafts of golden rays through the woods.

I noticed a black mud spot in the center of the mirror and reached into my camera back, pulled out a cloth and vigorously wiped it clean.  There was a small puff of smoke.

I noticed a bronze bud slowly emerge from the silver background and as I watched, it grew into a nose and then a wooden face started to emerge accompanied by a wheezing sound full of effort and strain.  

I felt the wind shift restlessly as the sunlight pulled and pushed shadows away from the emerging face leaving it glowing with a deep rustic hue.  Soon the face became a head and it wasn't long before the neck was free and she was able to swivel back and forth slowly taking in the world.  She appeared to be made from wood.  

Soon she noticed me and a strange smile awoke on her face when she looked directly into my eyes.  The wind around me stirred and leaves scattered as she spoke in a strained vibrato voice  "Where are we ... and who are You???"

As any photographer would do when facing this type of situation, I naturally took out my camera and snapped a photograph as her voice still echoed through the forest.  

I am seldom lost for words but I was a bit tongue tied and feeling defensive.  "Well to begin with" I explained, as though talking to a mischievous child, "I am the person on this side of the mirror."  

I have to confess I felt a bit brutish and realized that perhaps that wasn't the most noble response, I quickly added.  "The better question is Who are you? and why are you stuck inside this mirror in the middle of everywhere and ... why do you look like you are made out of wood?"  I realized I was starting to ramble and immediately shut my mouth.

She sighed and spoke in a soft, honest tone "I am a Pinocchia  Genie.  I was turned into wood for loving the wrong person and forced into this mirror by sorcery for giving birth to the wrong child.  It is a sad tale that's true but there is hope as I believe that you are here to to help me out".  She looked at me like a long lost friend and I think she batted an eye.

"I can grant you seven wishes if you do one thing ... to start with take a deep breath ..."  She continued and watched as the forest grew curiously quiet.

I didn't respond and she suddenly became more demanding:  "Open your mouth mortal and take a deep breathe ... I am coming through!" 

She lunged toward me and I gasped, inhaling unconsciously.   I felt a tingling in my throat and sneezed so loudly I woke up the moon and it climbed out of the sea to see what was going on.

A twig snapped just to my left and I inadvertently shifted my gaze for a split second.  When I turned back to the mirror, it was suddenly just a mirror, the forest was full of noise and twilight was simply growing darker.

I left the mirror where it was and I believe it is still there to this day.  

Whenever I think of these events, I always take a deep breath and feel wonderfully alive and grateful to be walking in this magnificent world again!  

Although there is a curious ringing in my ears like bells from long ago and perhaps far away."

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(NOTE: This piece of Art was originally 
seen at Kitty's Garden in Andalusia, Spain and named "Emerging Artist".  Stop by and say "Hola!")

Taken in: Spain / Andalusia / Jete / Jete (show map)

Taken on: March 17, 2019

Tags:

Spain

Garden

Pinoccio

Sunlight

Forest

Mirror

Statue

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Rohan

Zanzibar

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Kitty

Andalusia

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Bronze

Gold

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Wind

Carving

Genie

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