“Not I” Said the Witch

“Not I” Said the Witch

(Based on a children’s folk tale called Little Red Hen or “Not I”, Said the Cat)

Once upon a time, a Hedgewitch was working on her farm when the spirits there reminded her of a promise she had made; to give up the use of some of her land for her fellow pagans and witches. They informed her they wanted to hold a celebration right there on the farm as a way to begin.

So the Hedgewitch phoned up all her friends and asked them to help her create a wonderful little retreat for pagans and witches on her land, and to help her kick it off with a big celebration.

“Who will come and help me plan and prepare and make this a magickal event for all?” asked the Hedgewitch.

“Not I,” said the Greenwitch “not if I have to do any work! I have enough to do in my own garden without having to weed one for other people.”

“Not I,” said the Druidess “not if my Grove and I have to pay for gas to come all the way there AND then have to do work for the farm as payment for using it.”

“Not I,” said the eclectic Witch “not if Lord Name-Dropper and Lady I’m-So-Special are going to be there!”

“Not I,” said the Fluffy Bunny “Not if you’re going to let Christians and Left Hand people use the land too! That’s persecuting ME!”

“Not I,” said the Wiccan “spiritual services should be completely free of charge, in fact, why don’t you pay for my gas to come out there?”

“Not I,” said the newbie Witch “what if someone made fun of me?”

The Hedgewitch began to despair, would no one come and help her make a sanctuary for her faith? Would no one come to celebrate Beltaine?

“I will,” said the Druid “I will make an Oak King mask, and lead a boar hunt and dig a hole for the maypole!”

“I will,” said Momma Witch “I will make gifts with fairy bells for everyone, and I will also bring my son, who will jump the belfires!”

“I will,” said the High Priestess “I will round up others to come, and we will bring good food and good cheer!”

“We will,” said the Drummers “We will bring music and rhythm and laughter to your celebration!”

The Hedgewitch’s heart lifted, the show would go on!

So they came together on the farm and they praised the land, and learned about what grows there. They honoured the gods and the ancestors. They shared laughter, wisdom and a good meal.

Though things did not go as smoothly as it would have if there had been more helping hands, they made do as best they could with what they had.

When everyone left, the Hedgewitch was glad and filled with gratitude. For her promise was not broken, and new friends had been made. She was very proud of her little, awkward Beltaine.

So the Hedgewitch phoned up all of her friends and said “There are groves to tend and stones to raise, holes to dig and gardens to plant. There’s far too much for just one little Hedgewitch! Who wants to come and help me build a home for our community? ”

“Not I” said the Shaman.

“Not I” said the Heathen.

“Not I” said the Witch.

There is no end to this story yet, as it has not been written. I invite you to help inspire me to finish it …

By Juniper of Walking the Hedge 2009. Permission to reproduce granted.