Who Am I Writtenby-JiinJeong

WhoamI?HiddenfromtheworldinadarktowerfarawayEveryday,Ileanout,hopingtoescape,Waitingtogooutintotheworld,waitingforthatday.WhoamI?Runningfromtheballastheclockchimestwelve,Amissingglassslipper,butnotimetogoback,ForIhavefloorstosweep,anddishestowashandshelve.WhoamI?Cursedtoremainafurry,hideousbeast,Watchingfromthewindowmykind,beautifulgirl,Surprisedthattheevil,theangerinmehasceased.WhoamI?Twohumanlegsinexchangeformyvoice,Unabletospeak,unabletotellhimit'sme,Justwishingdesperatelyhe'llmaketherightchoice.WhoamI?AprinceonaquesttoaforestdarkanddeepTryingtodowhatmanybeforemecouldn'tachieve-Wakeaprincessfromhercenturyofsleep.WhoamI?Storiesyouweretoldwhenyouwereachild,Leftyouwithdreamsofadventures,love,andhappilyeverafter's.Thereasonyou,inyoursleep,criedandlaughed,frownedandsmiled.

Õ²·ª»­ Writtenby-KihyunKim

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Writtenby-OhyoonKwonTherainspatteringagainstthewindowssoundedlikelaughterinherears.TheskyhadbeentauntingSamanthaforthepastweek,smearingthefaceofherdirtyapartmentwithsplotchywatermarks.Takinghershoesoff,Samantharubbedatthedarkcirclesunderhereyesassheadjustedtheglassesthathadsliddownthebridgeofhernose.Theclockonthecounteremitted8shortchirps,andSamantharealizeditwasalreadypastdinnertime.Withasigh,sherushedtothekitchen.Withouttakinghercoatoff,Samanthapulledtwobowlsoutofadrawerandsetthemdownonthetablewithaclatter.Acartonofmilkandaboxofcerealineachhand,shepreparedasparsedinnerwhileshoufornewgroceries,sothecornflakeswerestaleandugly,buttherewasstillahintofsweetnessleftinthedryshellssoSamanthadecideditwoulddo.voicebroke thesilenceof thedinnertable.Samanthastoppedsortingthroughthepaperworkinfrontofher,hereyesinnocenteyesforwhatseemedlikeeternity.Hisyoungerbrotherpaidnoattentionandcontinuedtospooncerealintohistinymouth.obviouslyunsatisfied,butknewbetter thantoarguewithhismother.Hemissed thewarmthofhisfathernexttohim,andlowrumbleofhisvoicespinningtalesofwolves

dmostofthetime. Samanthalookedbackdownandcontinuedtosortthroughvariousformsandbills,andhersonnoticedanabundanceofrednumbersslashedacrossthepapers,likebloodonafieldofsnow.Heputhisspoondown,andlefthiscerealstilldrowning.Hischairscrapedacrossthefloorashegotuptobrushhisteeth.Theyoungerbrotherstaredafterhim, concerned, but Samanthakeptonwithher task, feltpenscratchingagainst thestarkpaper.Hehadneverseenhisbrotherleaveanyofhisdinner,andhischildishbrowsfurrowed.However,hefeltbetterinbed,hisbrotherandmomnexttohimundertheblankets.andsmelledlikeperfume.Hesmiledasheglancedatthethinyellowhardcoverofthebookhismotherwasholdinginherarms.

Herfalteringvoicebrokethesilenceofthebedroom,fillingthedimatmospherewithataleoflove,envy,andeventuallyhappiness.Thesimple,childishstorywaseasyonthehalfwaythroughthestory,andtheywerealreadyasleep.Thesoft,evenbreathingslowlyblendedintothestory.Samanthakeptreading,eventhoughnobodywaslistening.Hereyesscannedthewords,criticallyjudgingeachsentenceindisdain.ThebookhadbeentheadaptedGrimmversion,whereArielandtheprince livedhappilyeverafter,theirloveeverlasting.Samanthascowledandroseabruptly,settingthebookroughlyonthetablenexttothebed.Theboysstirred,buttheyremainedasleep.Theywereblissfullyunawareofeverythingthathadtranspiredthepastfewweeks.Thatnight,shedreamedoftheprinceandAriel.Sherememberedthetruestory,notthemadeupfairytalethatchildrenread.Despitetheirpassionforeachother,theprincehadeventuallyfalleninlovewithanotherwoman.HehadleftArielbehind,betrayingherloveandleavingherindisgrace.Shehadcutherheeloffingrief,andthestoryhadendedintragedy.Thenextday,Samanthasatthereinthestuffyroom,shiftinginherseat.Itwastheirkwardatmospherethepsychotherapyhad.Pouringyourheartouttoastrangerwasmucheasierinthemoviesthaninthisdamnroom.Shewasearly;shewasalwaysearlyandhertherapistalwayslate. Thedoorcreakedopen,andatall,gaunt,coldeyedmanwalkedin.Hewasalwaysdressedthesame,animpeccableblacksuitandredtie.Hehadasmall,toughmouth,hardeyesthatpickedaparteverythingtheylookedat,andaneatcropofblackhair.Incontrasttohisappearance,hewasawarmpersonality,takingineverythingSamanthasaiddeeplyandcarefully,ashortnodandslightsmileneverfaroff.Hesatdowninfrontofher,justlikealways.Theroutinewasapartofit,shethought,tomakemefeelcomfortable.Hebeganwithadifferentquestioneachsession,theonevariableinthispathofconstants.Samanthasatthereinsilence.Shehadhonestlyneverthoughtaboutthatuntilnow.It stunned her.Her children, her precious children, the one anchor to her storm offluctuating emotions, and she had never even cared about how they had felt. Hertherapistsatthere,hiseyesunerring,takingineverytwitchofherface,readingeverymessagebehindhereverymove.Hepressedon,pushingintohervulnerablegap.

Hestaredatthetopofherhead;shehadloweredhergazetothefloor.Hesethisjournal down, the pencil slipping out and clattering on thewooden table. He put a

.Sheshook,wetblobsrunningdownhercheeks. despairforwhatseemedlikeaneternity.Somethingtappedhershoulderandjoltedherbackintoreality.Hewasholdingouttissues,agestureofkindness.Hissmilewassohis hardblack eyes softeningunderher gaze. She sensed somethingmore than justcourtesybehindhisstare.Thebloodinherearspounded,butwhetheritwasbecauseHis hands. She focused on his hands. They were gripping her by the shoulder,calmingherdown,andshefoundherselfswayedbyhishardfaceandhisgentlewords,meltingherdown,cuttingawayathermiseryuntilshewascompletelydominatedbyhim.Intheblinkofaneye,sheknewthatshewashis,andthathewashers.Thatsleep,andthatirkedSamanthathemost.Theyusedtobefulloflife,loudandactive,butnowtheyweredowncastrobots,doingwhatevertheyweretoldbutnevershowinganyemotion about it. Samantha tried something different for dinner, a salad of cannedvegetablesandsomeprecookedchicken,andwasrelievedwiththeresults.Herchildren,inwhatseemedlikeforever,actuallysmiled.Shedreamedthesamedreamthatnight.Shesawitalloveragain,theprinceandAriel. They fell in love, their undying passion for each other mutually reciprocatedthroughandthrough.Andthenitwasgone.Samanthashiveredassheanticipatedthenextpart,thefloodofpainthatwrenchedArielthistimeitwasdifferent.Anothermanappeared.Hehadahardface,hollowcheekbonesandatightmouththatcomplementedhistallstature.HetookArielinhisarms,embracedher,andtookheraway.Hesavedher,andArielsubmitted.Hewasmeantforher,nottheprince,buthavingthisstormofemotions. Samanthaawokesmiling.Theweekpassedbyquickly.Herworkleftlittlesparetime;shewasnowresponsibleforbringingmoneyinforthefamily,andsheearnedlittleenoughatherjob.Herchildrenregained a bit of their spring, and Samantha took it upon herself to do keep thehouseholdlively.Newdishes,bedtimestoriesenoughworktobreakher,butSamanthakeptstrong,waitingforhernextsessionwithhim.Thistime,Samanthaspent20minutesinthebathroomapplyingmakeup.Hereyes

werestreakedwithboldlinesofblack,herlipstingedwithasensualred,andhercheekssoftenedwithrouge.Shepushedherglassesuptobringoutthefullofhereyes,andtookcaretochoosethebestdressinherwardrobe.Herchildrengaveherstrangelooks,buttaliveforthefirsttimeinyears.Butintheparkinglot,herhighheelsclackingontheasphalt,aroughhandgrabbedher shoulder and spun her around, sliding her glasses down her nose and nearlyknockingheroffbalance.suddenlyfuryroseinher.Hehadleftheroveramonthago,sayinghehadstoppedlovingher,andnowwasbackatherheels,beggingforasecondchance.wasstupid,IknowIwas,andIknowI

forgas.Shelistenedtohispleading,hisbegging,andmercilesslylethimclingontohopeforafewmoments.

thecoldshellthatremainedhadbeentakenbysomeoneelse.Shelefthimthereintheparkinglot,pocketsemptyandeyeswet. phonecallasshewasdrivingtowardsthetherapysession.Hehadapparentlythrownhimselfintoabus,endinghishopelessnessinonerashactofdesperation.Shefeignedshockandsadnessonthephone,butasshehungupshewasalarmedtofindoutsheBlockingitout,shedroveontothepsychotherapycenter.Shehadanewhopenow,andnothingwasgoingtostopher.Samanthawaslatethistime,andassheshovedthedooropenandsaunteredintothestuffyroom,hertherapistlookedupather,hishardeyessurprisedandattentive.Hiseyesateherup,goingthrougheverycornerofherpolishedimage.Samanthaslidmouthcurvedupandhegreetedherwithhiswarmvoice,thesamevoiceshehadheardinherdream.confusedeyes,hisforeheadwrinkling. tracinghisbones.

overhisface.voice teased his ears. She slid forward, her mouth moving in for the kill. His facehardened,setasstone,andherecoiledinstantly.headlights.towardsthedoorwithhisfreearm.Samanthasatthere,dumbstruck,hermouthslightlylefttheroom,leavingheraloneinawkwardsilence. todoeventhat.Shehadbeensosure!Whatwaswrongwithhim?Ithadbeenobvious;thetensionbetweenthem!Shebitherlipandslammedherheadagainstthewheel,thehornhonkingloudlyfortheflashofaninstantbeforeitdisappeared.Her apartment was eerily silent, except for the rain that had started again. Itspatteredagainstthewindow,mockingherwithlaughterasSamanthapreparedtwobowlsofcoldcereal.

The Letter of Briar Rose Writtenby-EuniceYoonaLee

Illustratedby-JiyoonPark

Mydearprince,foundmethreeyearsago motionless,breathless,pale,solid,likeapieceofhundred-year- bringmeback.Butasyourwife, as your family, I feel theneedtoexplainwhy I amleaving;whysoabruptly,andwhereIamheadedto.Youknowwhatmylifehasbeenlike.Youknow prettyandenchantingsideofmylife,thestorythatpeopleremember,thestoryaboutAtaveryyoungage, involuntarily, Iopenedmyeyes toamysterious forcecalleddeath.Myveryfirstbirthdaypresentwasnotadoll,notababybib,notapicturebook,butacurse,acursethatIwoulddieonmysixteenthbirthday.Youknowhowitgoes:Yourdaughterwillprickherfingeronaspindleanddie. theshouldersofallthepeopleIloved.Theyboughtmemoredressesandputmoreflowersinmyvase.But I couldhear them talk amongst themselves: She is going to die on her sixteenthbirthday.Thepoorgirlisgoingtodie.Ssshh,shemighthearus,sheButsheisgoingtodieonhersixteenthbirthday.Mypatheticlittleearspickedupeverysinglewordtheymurmured,whileIwaseatingsupper,whileplayingwithmyfriends,whilereceivingpianolessons.AtfirstIdidnotknowwhatitmeant.Butastheyearspassedby,IeventuallycametorealizethatalthoughIlovedmyfriendsandfamilyoutofnaiveté,Iwasneverlovedbackatall,butpitied.Iwasalwayspitied,fortheyknewIwoulddieout,andwhen.Alifewithapreordainedendingwassuffocating.Alifewithoutlovewasevenmoreexcruciating.SoontheverymomentIprickedmyfingerandcollapsedtothefloor,Iwaslaughing,becauseitwasallsohilarious,tohavesufferednomoreandnolessthansixteenyearsandtobedeletedfromtheworldpreciselyonthatbirthday,asiftherewereanhourglassabovemyheadthatwouldbreakoncethelowerhalfwasfull.Itwasallsohilarious.Noonewarnedmeagainstplayingwiththatspindle,notonepersoninthekingdom,notevenmyparents,not even thosepeople thatwouldalwaysgossipabout themorbidcurse.AsIsuccumbedtothedreadfulstuporandclosedmyeyes,theverylastthoughtthatcrossedmymindwasthatIwouldeverwakeup.Ididnotwantto;Iwouldnotbewelcomedbyanyone.

Andyouwokemeup.Icouldneverforgettheterror forasecondIthoughtIwasfinallyathrobbingpainravagingmyeyes.Cobwebswereonmypalms,deadspiderswereonmyfingers,andrightundermynosehungthefetidatmosphere,saturatedwiththeodoratacorneroftheroomIsawyourbloodstainedarmor.Astrangerwasbendingoverme,pressinghislipsontomineandgazingintomyeyesas ifIwerehiswife. Icouldnotspeak.Thepeoplecallthisthekissoftruelove.Later thatnight Iwasexplainedabout everything. Iwasexplained that thegoodfairieshadreplacedthecurseofdeathwithaspellthatwouldenablemeandtheentirekingdomtosleepforhundredsofyears,sothatonceaprincecameandkissedmeonthelips,everythingwouldreturntonormal.Iwishedtomyselfthatthosefairiesweredead.anagony.Theworldwasnolongerpitchblackasithadbeenforacenturylong,butastormofsoundsandcolors.Eventheclatterofforksandkniveswouldmakemegrimace,andthecreakofadoororachairwouldmakemeblockmyears;theglitzycolorsofmynewdressesandgownswouldmakemesquint,andtheconstrictionofmycorsetwouldmakemewanttovomit.Ihadtogetusedtotheideathateverythingwasreal.Itwastiresometocatchupwiththerealworld, tobesummonedtobanquets, tobeseatedundertheblindinglightofchandeliers,tomeetstrangers,tolistentothemprattle,toputupfakesmiles.Manythingshappenedthroughoutthepastthreeyears.Toomanythingshappened,eveninaday.Bigwordswerethrownatmyface truelove,marriage,vows,eternalhappiness andIhadto forcethemdownmythroat.Tome,thatwasreality;somethingworsethantheworstofmynightmares.

Ilovedyou.Ilovedyourhandsomevoice,butitcouldnotcalmthestormwithinme;Ilovedyourstrongarms,buttheycouldnotbringthewarmthbacktomyskin.Ilovedyou.AndIamsorry.BackwhenIwasaverylittlechild,Iaskedoneofthefairieswhattheworddeathmeant.Shehesitatedforamoment,andansweredthatdeathwasjustalong,longsleep,andthatdeadpeoplewereactuallydreaming.Soitisnothingseriousatall;Isleptforacenturystraight,sowhynotdoitforafewmore?WhileIamawake,Imaybeaburdento others, and Imaybe complainingover petty things, but once asleep I amnot anannoyancetoanyone,noramIsuchacrybaby,right?Youdonothavetoworry;Iamonlysleeping.Andthedreamissosweet,thatIwouldneverbother,everagain,towakeup.

Writtenby-Ga-inOhIllustratedby-CheonghoCho

One,two,three-Iholdmybreathtoholdontoyou,darling,Youwillcometomelikeaneternalhappyending,Four,five,six-Istillthinkofallthecloudswithasilverlining,Andofthehundredstormsyoumustbebraving,Seven,eight,nine-Ismypersistentimperfectionthereasonyou'rehesitating,HowmanynightsshallIsufferwithoutwaking,Ten,eleven,twelve-Myonlycompanionchimesalonelymidnightinitsstriking,Ithinkofallthestormsyoushouldhavebeenbraving.

Writtenby-Ga-inOhIllustratedby-CheonghoChoNeverfailingtofulfillmylastbitterexpectations,Thelastdropofyournegligencegivenonmylastgifts,Mytoes.Peoplewhoneverconsiderthechanceof'whatif',Whatif*hers*shouldhavebeencutinsteadof,Mytoes.Itcouldhavebeenmyheadifyourmajestywanted,Butinsteadasacrificewasmadewhereyoudesired,Mytoes.Andabittermisnomerinhistoryistheleastofmyconcerns,Andthepaininmyheartismuchgreaterthantheonein,Mytoes.

Writtenby-KihyunKim

Maddidumpedherbookbagonthegroundwithaheavysighofrelief.Shehadmadeitthroughalldayatschool,blastingthroughdrovesofworkduetoheruncannyintelligence.Thesheerexcitementgnawedatherlikestarvationatthehungry.Itwashereighthbirthdayandshewasreadytoreceivethegiftshehadbeenincessantlybeggingandnagginghermothertogetherformonths.Nearlyjumpinginanticipation,shejoinedhermotheratthetable.Herinnocentfaceglowedinthelightofthecandles.Hersparklingblueeyeswereonlyaccentuatedbyperfectlystraightblondehairthatrandownpasthershoulders.Sheworehermother presented herwith a beautifully adorned

there.Herhusbandlostalongfightwithcancerafewyearsback.Hewasasuccessfulbusinessman,butthecorporationheworkedforclaimedallthemoneyhehadinhiswillduetoaclause.Theonlythingleftherin the settlementwas the expansivehouse. In spite of all that,hemotherwas takencareof. Shewasarenownedpsychologistwhoprovidedmoreshoneliketwominiatureoceansasshereachedinsideofthebagandpulledoutitsheavytreasure.Thepresentwasexactlywhatshehadbeenaskingfor.Abookoffairytales.MostchildrenMaddthisphase,buttherewasareasonhermothermadeanexceptioningettingherthisgift.Herfatherusedtoreadherabookoffairytaleseverynightbeforeshewenttosleep.Shecontinuedtoreadthetalestoherselfallthewayupuntilthefamilyyardsale.Wherethebookwassoldandforeverlost.MaddineverreallygotnightMaddiclamberedintobed.Clutchingthebook,inspectingit,shesawthebookwasalovelyshadeoflavenderwithawhitesatinbookmark.Thecoverhadnotitle.Shealsonoticedithadnoothermarkingsthanthetextandillustrationsinthebookitself.Disregardingthis,sheopenedthebookandbegantoread.LittleMissNeedleThereoncewasaladynamedLittleMissNeedle.Shelivedoutinthemiddleoftheforest.Alone.Sad,yousee.MissNeedlehadafunnywayofmakingpeoplehateher.Shewouldmakethemthinkshewasthesweetestinalloftheland.Butjustwhenyouthoughtshewasyourfriend,shewouldturnaroundonyouandhurtyou.MissNeedlehadwrongedallthepeopleinthevillagesheusedtolivein,soshewaswentwasheusuallywas.Instead,hewasNeedle.Shewalkedrightintothemiddleoftheforestandgreetedthatblacksun.Asthewholetownwasslowlydying,hetoldherthesewords: ThatwaswhenMaddiblackedout.Shelieunconsciousinherbedfortwodays.Strangely,hermotherhadnoticedherabsence.Maddiwalkeddowntoahorrificsightanddiscoveredthecauseofherneglect.mothertoreachthephoneandcall9-1-1. Thepolicegotthecallfromarun-downmobilehome.Noneoftheofficersondutywerepreparedtoseewhatwasinsideofthathouse.Dirty,brokenheroinneedleslitteredthestainedcarpet.Pilesoffeceshadcollectedfromwanderinganimalsandtheyounggirlwhomadethegirl.Abodyofawoman,presumably

thiswasnotthecauseofdeath.Herinnardswerespilledonthefloorbyaknifeofsomesort.Theculpritofthisgruesomemurderstoodnearby.Inafloraldresscakedwithbloodanddirtstoodagirlofaboutnineyearsofage.Herhairwasgreasy,andherclotheswerehopelesslysoiled.Inonehand,shegrippedtheknifethatshehadkilledherownmotherwith.Intheother,sheheldatattereddiarywiththewordsFairyTalecrudelyscribbledinnailpolish.Insidethediarywerenothingbutblankpages.Shesaidthis. Thenneverspokeagain.

Writtenby-SoohyunHwangboWhen Iwas five, I spent theentireDecemberdecorating thehousewithmistletoesandpinecones,countingeachdayforChristmastocome. WhenIwasnine,Iwenttobedwithbubblinganticipation,waitingforthetoothfairy,withmyfreshly-pulledtoothtuckedunderthebed.Now,twenty-nineyearsold,Iwasbatteredandworndownfromhardshipsoflifeandburdenofhavingtomake a living.My job as an editor for children s books department forcedme to read sickly-sweet,gagging-inducingstoriesandtalesbabblingabouthappinessoflife.Onceinawhile,afewofthemweregoodenoughtobringbackpiecesofmyownchildhood,butmostofthemweremeretrashyflingsthataddedontothestressgauge.Itwasanothervapidweekend,nothingparticularfromtheregularroutine.Itwasthatveryexactday,when Iwas forcibly fixingmy eyes to the laptop screen, despite endlessly runningnose and throbbingheadaches.ThedaybeforeIhadspottedmy fiancémakingoutwithahigh-schoolgirl,andbrokeofftheengagementaftersplashingicewaterintohisblatantface.ThatmorningIhadreceivedalongphonecallfrommymothernaggingtograbamanandgetmarried,andnotbeanoldspinsterlikeoldAuntGeorgia. AsIwasstackingold,stalebooksintothebox,ayellowedpageslippedout.Itwasatorn-outpagefromadiaryIhadkeptyearsago,whenIhadrecklesslywishedforthefutiledreamofbecomingawriter.Thecrooked letters, childlike structures, and cliché happy endings evidently displayed that it was not amasterpiece.Straighteningoutthecrumpedends,Istartedreading. Justlikethat,delugeofemotionsgulpedmeup,andIwasswirlingintheseaofnostalgia.Brightlylitfacesofconjuredupprinceandprincess,walkinghand-in-hand;chirpingbirdsandtalkinganimals;evilstepmothersandwitchescastingnastycurses;knightsinshimmeringarmorsdashingforrescue nothingwasimpossible.AtthetipsofpensIcreated theotherworld aworldwhereallfancydaydreamscouldbecomeconcrete.Thesheereuphoriaofbeing thecreator wasenoughtopowermypassion.Untilitwascloudedbywearyschoolhours,repetitivereprimands,gloomyjobprospective-everythinggraduallyfadedaway.ItwasalltoosoontofindoutthatIhadbecomeanadult,andanespeciallyuninterestingone,devoidofenergyandsparkles.Ihurriedlyclosedthebook.Forthatshortperiod,Iwasdrunkinremnantsofsoppy,goody-goodchildishyearnings.Gettinglostinmemoriesdidnogoodinboostingproductivityinthepresent.Snappingshutthebuckle,Iburiedawaythelittlediarydeepinsidethedustybox.AsIclosedthelid,Ilockedawaythebitsofimaginations,fairytales,wishes,andchildhooddreams.Fairytale-likehappyendingswerenottohappeninreality.

Writtenby-ChaiwonLee

Wouldyoustillbelievesomenonsense?AtthebackofthenorthwindLiesadreamoftranquility.Whatif,dearskepticalreader,ItellyoutheOldManWinterHoldsoutaboxforgooddaughters?SomewherequitefarfromyouLadiesmaketalktobirdsOneofwhich,aheartbrokenbluebird,CarriedThumbelinatoherloveJewelsoncewereteardrops,Why,oneistwoandtwoisoneMostofall,timeisundefined Impossible,toexplainEndlessfantasy,thisisForyouavaguetinglingAworldlongleftbehind

ButMissShirleywillonlysay

Writtenby-WoojoJang

Ohwistfulsoul,donotwail,Heisloomingabovethegrounds.HastilyhidethefraildewdropshangingonyoureyesEvenalittlesparklecouldbeseen,Evenasingledropcouldbeheard.Yourinnocentbloodwilltempthisflamingnostrils.Astheblazingveilembracesthesky,Blackmoonlightswiftlybrushesagainstyou.Toolate,hiseyeshavefoundyoursDonotanticipateanywarmkisses.Lullabygetswashedaway,Justiceisnomoreonyourside.Crueltonguecoilsaroundyourtangleddreams,Hegentlypullsthemintothefilth.Flamingfearburnsthehoneyinyourbreath,Coldvenomthumpsthroughyourcruelheart.ThelastleaffeeblydriesupAndslowly,youreyestumbleintotheblackhole.

YouannihilatethefairytalesMockingeverysoulwithyourgracefulsmile.Showmercytothechild,Ceasetoplayaroundthetruth.Ibegyoutogiveherlostdreamback.

Happily Ever After Writtenby-InhyeJeong

Illustratedby-HyunminKim

SnowWhite assignthreefairiestoSleepingBeauty!NO,PEDRO! MamaHada,theheadfairyofHappilyEverAfterCo.,slammedherfistsdownontoherbrightreddesk.AtoncealltheHEAemployeesfellsilent,twitchingandblinkingtheirbeadyeyesinnervousness.Pedroletoutasmallsqueak.Tan,dark-haired,andstout,MamaHadaeasilydominatedeveryone.Asshewalkedbackandforth,herexpressionstony,theresonatingsoundofherhighheelscompelledeveryonetoholdstill.MamaHadacametoanabruptstopinfrontofPedro,whosehandstrembled. MamaHadaraisedherlefteyebrow,asifdaringPedrotospeak.

Her facesuddenlybreaking intoawide smile,MamaHada turned fromPedro and looked at the otheremployees,whowereallgazingatthesceneanxiously. fairies,howwasCinderellaabletogototheball?WhobroughtBeautyandtheBeasttogether?Fairies!Ormoreexactly,HEA!WhataboutSnowWhiteorRapunzel,youask?Theyrcompany!AndRapunzel,doyouthinkitwashertears -madedevicestoensureeveryoneahappily-ever-after!That,mydearfairies,iswhyfairytalesarecalledfairytales.sewe Adela,whohadgainedenoughcouragetospeakinfrontofherdauntingboss,raisedherhandtimidly.MamaHadaturnedherfieryeyesuponherandnodded.desiringwealthandstatusorfameandreputation.Howevergreedy,allthosedamselswereallextremely

-winforbothofthem!Andtheypayusafterwards.LookatBeauty.Shewasmerelyaprettygirlinsomeoldcountrysidevillage,MamaHadasmileddreamily,lostinthought.Therestoftheemployeeswatchedher,stillquiet.Then,suddenly,Pedrospokeout. -ever-after.Wegaveit tothem,

Mama Hada

The Kaleidoscope Staff