Morgan, a humble 17,000-year-old mage who lived in the depths of the Forest of Fears, leaned out the door of her home and looked towards the beautiful Hawaiian beach. As her wavy blonde hair blew in the wind, she inhaled the beach’s salty, fishy fragrance—the scent that she loved the most. She also smelled a light flowery scent coming from behind her small cottage. While Morgan was thinking about how beautiful Hawaii was, a small deer burst through the backdoor of the cottage. Hearing the racket, Morgan turned.
“Flash!” she cried, “What are you doing here?!”
The deer shook his head and beckoned Morgan to follow. The pair flew over the forest floor for what seemed to be just seconds until they saw the problem. Morgan’s mouth dropped in surprise. Her candy factory was covered in multicolored goo! In case you’re wondering what a candy factory is doing in Hawaii, Morgan delivers candy to kids in Hawaii in the wee hours of dawn. She is known throughout the islands as “the unknown candy giver.” Morgan snapped her fingers. Seconds later, tiny minions poured out of the candy factory holding cleaning supplies, and within minutes the slimy, yet sweet, candy-scented goo was gone. Suddenly, Morgan heard a commotion coming from the beach. She walked hurriedly toward the sounds.
As soon as Morgan reached the path leading to the beach, she stopped to catch her breath. Morgan heard cheering and felt something telling her to go. She ran as fast as she could, jumping over logs and tripping over tree roots. Panting and almost out of breath, Morgan found the beach. She peered over some fern leaves to see what was causing the commotion. The New York Dance Company, who, by the way, were touring the world, had finally come to Hawaii. Morgan was not excited for the peace of Hawaii to be disturbed by the Dance Company. The beautiful home she loved was not to be disturbed by anyone. At least I can deliver candy later tonight, Morgan thought excitedly. Little did Morgan know that she would not be able to—at least not without revealing herself…
Night closed in quickly as Morgan moped around her cottage. The Dance Company was having a loud party on the beach. Morgan sighed and got up. Pacing her room a few times, she tried to think of something to scare them away, but the loud music cut into her plotting. Morgan shook her head and gave up. She fell back into her bed and closed her eyes, trying to relax. After she felt that hours had passed, Morgan opened an eye and peeked at her clock. Suddenly she bolted upright, her gaze still on the clock. It’s nearly dawn! Morgan thought. The party is still going!
“Ahhhhhh!” Morgan screamed loudly. She threw one of her pillows against the wall in frustration. How was she supposed to deliver candy to kids without revealing herself to the Dance Company? Morgan squeezed her eyes shut and made the toughest decision of her life. Dawn came, and Morgan was still laying in bed. She felt very guilty about what she had done. Kids were dreaming of candy, greedily waiting for morning.
The next morning, while the sun climbed in the sky, children jumped out of their beds, excited for the day’s loot. Instead, they found empty bags. Angry, the kids demanded explanations from their parents. At first, the parents were shocked. They all looked in the bags. There was not a piece of candy in sight! Some tried to explain that it was not their fault, and others were speechless. The kids didn’t listen and got angry. Some cried while others stormed off, mad. The parents tried to forget about it…but unfortunately they could not.
Morgan glared at the Dance Company’s large van, wishing that it would disappear. After several long attempts, Morgan gave up. Devastated, she threw herself into an old patchwork chair across from the window. Morgan closed her eyes, trying to think of ways to tell the Dance Company to leave. Maybe she could send a talking animal. No... that would have scared the Dance Company too much. How about installing a loudspeaker on the van? No…that would have been too pricey. Besides, where was Morgan going to find a loudspeaker in Hawaii?
Morgan suddenly opened her eyes. Shaking her head in disapproval, she looked out the window. I’m going crazy, Morgan thought to herself. But before she had opened her eyes, she thought of revealing herself to the Dance Company. That couldn’t possibly work though,
Morgan thought. At that moment, she looked out the window and saw a chance—a chance that she had to depend on, no matter how impossible it seemed. She saw a small glimmer of hope through her reflection in the window. Nervously, Morgan glanced at the clock. She would leave at midnight.
Later that night, looking through her window, she noticed that the children in the Dance Company were all awake. She called for Flash, the deer, and sent him to the Dance Company’s van. He would watch the children and make sure they were sleeping before Morgan went over to confront the Dance Company. Morgan waited by the front door for Flash to come back. The minutes ticked by slowly until Flash came galloping back.
“Are they asleep?” Morgan whispered quietly. Flash dipped his head in agreement. Morgan glared at the clock. 11:45 p.m. Good.
“Goodbye, Flash,” Morgan whispered, and within seconds she was out the door.
Morgan approached the van cautiously. The Dance Company was behind it, laughing and talking while music played quietly in the background. Creeping around the van, Morgan came face-to-face with the head of the Dance Company. She must have mistaken Morgan for a ghost. Morgan wondered how she could scream so loudly.
The music stopped playing, and everyone looked in Morgan’s direction. As soon as they saw her, the crowd started buzzing. Morgan tried talking, but no noise came out. She cleared her throat and took a deep breath.
“I am Morgan,” she stated. “I am from the Forest of Fears. I am known as the ‘Unknown Candy Giver.’ Nobody knows I exist. To Hawaiian citizens, I’m a legend. I can only give candy when everyone is asleep. Lately, though, you’ve been staying awake all night. The island children are disappointed. I—I came to confront you about the situation.”
The whole Dance Company (aside from the children, who were fast asleep) stared with open mouths. They were surprised, but very sympathetic. They hadn’t known about the candy, or that they had interfered. The head of the Dance Company stepped up to Morgan.
“Let us help you deliver the candy,” she said. Morgan cocked her head as she considered the offer. Nobody had ever helped deliver her candy. Smiling, Morgan thrust her hand out.
“Consider it a deal!” she exclaimed.
“Good,” the head of the Dance Company said, “one thing, though.”
“Yes?” Morgan replied.
“Where do you get this candy from?”
“Ummm,” Morgan replied, stunned. The Dance Company stared back at her, waiting for an answer.
“Follow me,” Morgan called to them and motioned for them to follow. Morgan and the Dance Company trekked for a long time through the forest. Morgan stopped and turned suddenly, pushing some ferns aside, and revealed her factory.
“Welcome, my friends, to my candy factory.” The Dance Company gasped, wondering how such a factory could be hidden in Hawaii’s forest. After several minutes, Morgan disappeared. She returned shortly after with bags overflowing with candy. Dropping them, she smiled, “Time to make dreams come true!”
For the second time that week, Morgan was in her cottage when dawn approached. Only this time, all the candy had been delivered. It had gone quickly with the Dance Company helping. When the kids wake up, Morgan thought, they will finally find candy! Morgan looked out the window and finally realized how great the Dance Company was. She saw the bag of candy she had placed next to the van. Walking toward the door, Morgan glanced at the time. 1:18 a.m. Good. She leaned out the door and watched the sunrise.
She inhaled the salty, fishy fragrance of the beach. She also smelled a light flowery scent coming from behind her small cottage. While she was thinking of how beautiful Hawaii was, a small deer burst through the back door of the cottage. Hearing the racket, Morgan turned. “Flash!” she cried. Flash trotted over to Morgan and nuzzled her arm affectionately. Morgan stroked Flash standing in the doorway. This is home, Morgan thought happily. This is my beautiful and wonderful Hawaiian home.