Sunday 30 January 2011

A Magic Box



I had Russian guests at Christmas, and was given this beautiful box. It is made of Malachite, from the Ural Mountains.
A special stone, a special place. There is no doubt at all that this box has wonderful properties.
I show it off to all my visitors, and the box has proven its powers already.

Visitor 1 was here a couple of weeks ago, much preoccupied by dental problems - couldn't pronounce 'S', couldn't bite into an apple, had to chew biscuits on the side. Visitor 1 is rather small, and we're talking missing front milk-teeth here.
"I wish," said Visitor 1, wearily. "I wish and wish my new teeth would grow."

I introduced the magic box.
"Hold it carefully," I said. "Close your eyes and make your wish."

A week later Visitor 1 rang up to tell me it had worked! The new teeth were emerging. They had frilly edges and were very, very sharp.
"That's a really magic box!" said Visitor 1. "Can I use it again?"

So there must follow some careful discussion about the nature of wishing, and possibly even the realisation that the magic always has to come from within yourself. What the box can do is clear your mind so that you can see your wishes, and it may even give you the power to do something about them.
This may be a little too hard for a six year old.
Or, then again, it may not.
Many six year olds are more clear sighted than worldly, experienced, over-qualified, pressured adults.

Visitor 2 may fall into the latter category and called in for a cuppa, over-worked, a bit sad, anxious, tired.
I introduced the magic box and took rather a long time making the coffee.
Visitor 2 sat by the fire, stroking the box and saying, "Isn't it amazing? It's like looking into a rock pool".
Then a few minutes later, "It's like looking into ferns in a forest as well."
I could hear the blood-pressure falling, and really did not want to produce coffee.

Visitor 2 was parted from the box with a certain amount of reluctance.
"Where did you say it came from?"
"The Urals, in Russia."
"Oh. Not local then?"
"No, absolutely not local."
"It's so beautiful.....and it has such a calming effect....."
"Yes, I know." (And it stays right here on this shelf.)




Большое спасибо, Ирина

21 comments:

  1. Gorgeous. I've always had a soft spot for malachite.

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  2. Lovely box - you will need to keep an eye on it or your visitors will be wanting to make off with it for future wishes!

    Jane

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  3. How lovely your magical box is.
    It reminds me of a lady in Brittany who treated the Ragazza and I to a kind of meditation/yoga/shiastu session that ended with us both wrapped in blankets and curled up on the floor as safe and snug as babies.
    Funny, I'd forgotten that wonderful feeling until I read your post when I remembered hre telling me that malachite would be good for my soul...

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  4. To the uneducated, an A is just three sticks.
    Winnie the Pooh
    Eeyore, Pooh's Little Instruction Book
    I see you as wise lady in your locality. Your box the crystal ball.
    Of course you would have to raid the dressing up box for the appropriate kit.

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  5. Zhoen: Yes, it's a really lovely gift. The colour is so beautiful.

    20th Century Woman and Marigold Jam: I haven't encountered anyone who doesn't want it. I shall keep a careful eye on it!

    J: how lovely that it revived good memories for you. See how powerful it is? Even a photograph works!

    Den: A few generations back and I would be up for dunking or burning - that's for sure!

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  6. i just saw that most entrancing box, its truly a thing of beauty, how lovely to have received this as a gift, and for it to give back too! You won me over!

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  7. Mrs A: hello and thank you for your comment.
    I've been admiring your tropical garden while the weak sun tries to melt the frost on my hardy perennial garden.

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  8. Everyone needs a magic box, don't you think? It's such a wonderful colour.

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  9. It has such depth. Beautiful and mysterious.

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  10. How lovely! May it continue to vibrate its joy and magic to you and yours.

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  11. Jane; yes, and i hope you get some magic your way very soon.

    HHnB: I'm not sure what you would call the colour - apart from Malachite Green. It is extraordinary.

    Leslee: many thanks for the good wishes.

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  12. Malachite is also the name of a track by a great New Zealand band (Jakob). Now, when I listen to that track I'll be reminded of magic.

    The patterns seem to move, like some kind of fractal animation, even in the still photograph.

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  13. Sounds like a box that can be all things to all kinds of people,just as a visit with you seems to have a very calming effect on a variety of people!

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  15. P.Pete: Malachite seems to have effects in all sorts of ways - quite fascinating. The photos are via another wonderful Christmas present, which you've no doubt noticed!

    Molly: thank you so such a kind comment. I'm working on the box theme - so more to follow!

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  16. Miss reading here! Hope all is well with you.....

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  17. I love your posts. Hope you haven't given up blogging completely (in other words, hope you are okay).

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  18. Molly and Joan: thank you so much for your concern and kind comments. I have not given up on blogging, but have been involved in some other things which have had a profound effect and need time to process. In fact you have prompted me to think seriously about re-entering the blog-sphere!

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  19. Ooooh~ The box has a unique design. Do you personally know who gave it to you? I mean, are they fairies? LOL! It's unusual to read stories like this. Anyone who would use that box would realize how powerful wishes are! =p

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  20. Ooh, the magic box is very powerful. I guess miracles do happen, especially in visitor 1's case. Not to mention, it looks pretty.

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