Pinky, The Lucky Charm

Mabel was an orphan. She lived in an orphanage. Every Christmas, they will be brought to town to buy their favorite food, clothes, books and other things needed. Each of them was only given several pence to buy, enough to buy whatever they needed. However, Mabel was given the least amount of money and often forgotten due to her small sized figurine and being the youngest child among them.

Arriving at the town, they wander the long streets, packed with people and decorations. Mabel walked alone down the street and came to a candy shop. She looked at her coins in her palms. She thought to herself, “If I were to buy this rainbow candies and chocolates, I would not be able to buy myself new clothes and shoes for Christmas.” She walked solemnly passed the candy shop to a bakery next to it. The aroma of brewed coffee and hot chocolate penetrated through the air. Mabel peeped into the bakery and the golden, brownish breads on the display shelves caught the poor girl’s attention. At the same time, a mother and daughter walked out of the bakery shop, with so many cookies in their hands. Mabel wished to have gingerbread. A small piece would not cost her much, she thought. She entered the bakery and demanded for a small piece of gingerbread. She enjoyed her oven-baked gingerbread in the snow out there before continuing her walk.

Soon, she came across a beggar lady. She checked her money in her sweater pocket. She had six coins left. She decided to walk away but she understood the feeling of being poor and unwanted. She gave the beggar lady one of her gold coins. In return, the beggar lady rewarded her with a pink feathery hat.

“Oh, thanks! It’s just too wonderful and lovely! I’ve never had such a nice hat before!”

Mabel put on her pretty pink hat and danced happily in the snow. She named the hat Pinky, The Lucky Charm. As she continued walking, people started to notice her standing pink feathery hat. An anonymous lady came up to her and said, “You’re such a beautiful young girl, especially with your pink hat over your head. It’s simply marvelous! Where are you from and what’s your name?”

“Mabel Bloom from Rosewood.” she replied softly.

Mabel continued walking until she came across a boutique which sold children’s attires. She went in and observed every corner of the small shop to search for a suitable dress. She saw a silk gown hanging at the end together with a matching boots on the ground. However, she forgot about her intension to buy that silk gown as she knew that she would not have enough coins. She knew that she could not afford to buy pretty clothes with just five golden coins.

Finally, she came across a simple kneaded black dress. She tried putting it on and looked at herself in the mirror. Truly, there was nothing special protruding from the black dress she was currently on. Rather than Shakespeare’s ‘to be or not to be’, she asked herself over and over again whether ‘to buy or not to buy’.

“Why not try that silk dress with that matching boots over there. It’s limited edition. I think they look genuinely nice on you!” said a salesgirl.

“But… I’ve only five golden coins to only buy a simple black dress like this. I think this black dress DOES suit me well, don’t you think so?”Mabel smiled and looked herself in the mirror several times.

“Oh, I’m afraid that we have great discounts today and tomorrow. That silk dress and the pair of matching boots costs you exactly five gold coins.”

“Really? Then I’ll have it for sure!” Mabel’s heart blossomed wildly. Deep inside her heart, she thanked Pinky, her pink feathery hat for bringing her much good luck. After she had paid for her dress, she decided to walk downhill to the place she found the beggar lady to thank her personally for her charm. Everything just went right that day, unlike the usual dark days. When she reached the spot where she found the beggar lady, she was not longer around. Mabel went into an accessories shop to ask for the beggar lady’s where about.

“Beggar lady? I’ve not seen any outside my shop today. I think you made a great big mistake for seeing a beggar lady on Abbey Street.”
Mabel stared blankly at the spot where she had received Pinky from the beggar lady.

“Mabel.”

Mabel turned back swiftly to see a very well-dressed middle-aged lady. She seemed to be from a wealthy family from the clothes she wore and the accessories she had on her wrists, fingers, and also around her neck. She wore thick make-ups which had made her eyes smoky. However, she seemed to be of a little familiar.

“Are you looking for the beggar lady? I know where she is. She’s here.” said the lady, pointing to herself with her long index fingers.

“Huh?” Mabel looked at her with utmost suspense. Her round eyes bulged out as if they were going to fall off from her eye socket.

“I’m the beggar lady whom gave you this pink feathery hat. I’m Josephine Schilling, the owner of this accessories shop here. I’m here to give out Christmas presents but only humble kids like you deserve to receive wonderful prizes from me. This is a lucky hat which will help you clear up all the mess in your life and begin a wonderful life. I’m not only the owner of this shop here but people call me the Master of Fate. Trust me, I have faith in you. All the best to you.”

Josephine bade her goodbye before leaving her alone under the chilly weather.
From that day onwards, Mabel had leaded a better life. She was no longer ignored and offended. She received cookies and chocolates every Christmas. One night, while she was lying lazily in bed, she thought to herself, “Pinky had brought me all the good luck on Earth. I promise to keep you well till my bit of my life.”