Fairytale Endings

A rainbow stallion hailed, as if a cab. I laid a hundred bucks under his leather saddle. I stepped into the stirrups, then whipped onto his primeval back. I’d been expecting him. An adventure I’d been told… I knew nothing of how to ride and knew only to pay his price. He spoke! Yes, he spoke! “Kick my sides, not too light, not too hard.” Surprised, I followed his instructions. Away we flew. To where, only he knew. The stubborn mule wouldn’t tell me. We flew fast, we rode hard until we reached the fairies and unicorns. The fairies had little swords embellished with ancient words. The unicorns were fighting with their horns, the sound of thunder, strikes of lightning. “So, why are we here?” The stallion says, pointing sternly at me, “You need to stop this war!” “What?” I say, “Why me? “Isn’t it obvious?” the stallion frowns, “You wouldn’t eat your daughter’s pixie dust cake, you wouldn’t play hide’n seek unicorn and flatly said you didn’t believe in fairytales.” “Do you believe in rainbow stallions? the horse mocked. “Okay…okay, but how do I stop this war?” “Alright, we’re getting somewhere,” the stallion snorted. “Go to the old owl’s tree. Open it up. There’s a clock. You must turn it back to yesterday.” “Where is it?” “Must I do everything for you? You have until midnight to figure it out.” “What happens if I can’t return to yesterday?” “An unhappily ever after. Now get going! Today is burning daylight!” I awake from my dream, hoping this is yesterday… My daughter spins into the room, “Daddy, I rode on a horsie’s back. He was so pretty. He told me you would help me find pixie dust and unicorns. Will ya…will ya, Daddy?” “Hold on, sweetheart…” I run outside in bare feet. I hear an owl. I see his tree. Before I wouldn’t have believed nor seen the clock. I wind it back. Let the party begin. I’ve taken stock. Ten years later she reminds me of the sweetest day, time spent wisely. The owl daily says, “Who…who’s the guy!” with a wink, dream and a little sleep. 8/24/2022