“Mommy, I'm not meant to be a fairy. I don't belong here,” Aurora told her mom.

Aurora lived in Fairyland. While most fairies could weave spectacular things out of their wand Aurora could not even swat a fly with hers. All the fairies made fun of her. 

“No, my dear! The day you were born, all the stars in the sky aligned to form a rare celestial phenomenon. Your time will come.” Aurora's mom tried to convince her.

Aurora waited…and waited. But there seemed to be nothing special about her. 

One day after failing her last attempt to make a flower bloom, with a crestfallen face she ran towards the woods. As she ambled towards her favorite oak tree she heard a raspy voice. 

“ Aurora ! You are destined to become a renowned witch. You don't belong here.”

“ Who are you?” Aurora was startled.

“ I'm the witch of Thornforest. Become my apprentice and soon you will be the most powerful witch. The fairies here will be no match for you.”

“But we were often narrated stories about the destructive things that you do.”

“ Aah! They are just tales spun to fool you so that you don't become powerful.”

Aurora was confused. But the thought of becoming powerful felt enticing.

“And how do I become your apprentice?”

“ All that you have to do is pluck the golden rose that blooms in the palace garden. Only a fairy can pluck it. And once you give it to me, a bright future awaits you. I will wait behind the walls of the garden tomorrow morning. Do as I say! Embrace the new beginning.”  Billows of smoke appeared and soon the witch disappeared.

That night Aurora felt restless. While asleep she dreamt the whole world bowing at her as she sat on a witch's throne.

By the next morning she had made up her mind. All the fairies were busy rehearsing in the palace amphitheater for a talent show. Aurora stealthily marched towards the garden where the golden rose had bloomed . But as she was about to pluck it, she saw images of all the fairies appear on its petals. She was taken aback. What if the fairies lose their magic once I pluck it? How can I betray Fairyland?

In the meantime the witch entered the garden through the rear gate. “Give me the golden rose. Soon, ” she demanded.

“ No! I can't let the fairies lose their magic,” asserted Aurora.

“ Stupid girl! Look what I turn you into,” screamed the witch. Her incantations resounded and soon all the fairies came running and swished their wands to stop her. The witch seemed unstoppable. However, when Aurora swished her wand, a portal appeared and the witch was forcefully sent through it.

“ Aurora! You are a portal fairy. You have the most spectacular powers,” proclaimed the queen. All the fairies cheered for her. Aurora could not thank her stars enough. She felt grateful for having made the right choice. Fairyland was indeed the right place for her.

***