Read by Michael Flamel

IIn the heart of a remote village in Ireland, there lay a mysterious well known as the Cursed Well. Legend had it that this ancient well was home to a vengeful spirit who cursed all who dared to drink from its waters.

Many had ventured to the Cursed Well, drawn by tales of its miraculous healing powers and the promise of eternal youth. But few had returned to tell the tale, for the spirit that dwelled within the well was said to be as cruel as it was powerful.

One fateful day, as the villagers gathered around the well to draw water for their crops, a young girl named Brigid stumbled upon the ancient stone structure hidden among the trees. Intrigued by the whispers she had heard of the well’s magic, Brigid cautiously approached, her heart pounding with excitement.

As she peered into the depths of the well, Brigid felt a strange sensation wash over her, as if she had stepped into another world entirely. The air was thick with the scent of moss and earth, and the water shimmered like liquid silver in the sunlight.

Suddenly, Brigid caught sight of a shadowy figure lurking in the shadows—a ghostly apparition with eyes as dark as the night and a voice like the whispering wind. It was the spirit of the Cursed Well, come to claim another victim for its own.

“Who dares to disturb my slumber?” the spirit hissed, its voice echoing through the trees like a death knell. “Begone, mortal, or suffer the consequences of your folly!”

But Brigid, undaunted by the spirit’s threats, stood her ground, her eyes blazing with defiance. “I seek no harm, spirit of the well,” she declared. “I seek only the truth of your curse and the secrets of your magic.”

The spirit recoiled at Brigid’s words, its ethereal form wavering in the sunlight. “You are a bold one, mortal,” it whispered, its voice soft and cold as ice. “But beware—the curse of the Cursed Well is not easily broken, and those who seek its power do so at their own peril.” With that, the spirit vanished into the shadows, leaving Brigid alone with her thoughts. And as she gazed into the depths of the well, she knew that she had embarked upon a journey that would change her life forever.

For days and nights, Brigid delved into the mysteries of the Cursed Well, seeking answers to the questions that haunted her dreams. She studied ancient texts and consulted wise elders, piecing together the fragments of a puzzle that lay dormant for centuries.

And at last, after much searching and soul-searching, Brigid uncovered the truth of the Cursed Well and the secrets of its magic. She learned that the well was not cursed at all, but rather guarded by a powerful spirit who sought only to protect the land and its people from harm.

With this knowledge in her heart, Brigid returned to the village, her spirit buoyed by the wisdom she had gained and the mysteries she had unraveled. And though the Cursed Well remained a place of fear and superstition for many, Brigid knew that its true power lay not in curses or magic, but in the courage of those who dared to seek the truth. ❖