The Ghost of the Ore Mountains

Dr. R.

Tragedy at the Frogs Legs Inn

He needed a lot of frog legs for the evening's party. At the rate he was going, his guests might have to wait deep into the night for their dinner. He had to hurry if he wanted to get back before dark. To save time, he reverted to his old habit of cutting off the frogs' legs and throwing the maimed live animals back into the pond. He was not comfortable with what he was doing, and it reminded him of the red-bearded stranger's warning not to be cruel to the animals. But, he was in no mood now to argue with his conscience. He was angry at the weather, angry at the frogs and angry that nobody in the village was willing to help him. His basket was barely
half-full, and by now, he was soaked to the skin. His hands were icy and his feet freezing in the muddy water that had seeped into his boots.

Disgusted and disappointed, he was about to pack up and leave when he noticed out of the corner of his eye, a small, dark island rising from the middle of the pond. The unlikely sight snapped his dismal mood and instantly he was alert. He turned his head to have a closer look. But, as he
was focusing his eyes on the peculiar hump, it began to melt away in a wisp of haze, only to reappear when he tried to avert his gaze from it. His eyes were caught in its power like
a piece of iron attracted by a magnet. The more he tried to look away, the stronger the force that made him face it. And yet, the more he stared at it, the less he saw. Despite the
bone-chilling cold, he was beginning to sweat. What was wrong with him? Was he losing his mind? There wasn't really anything out there. A half-submerged log, perhaps, hidden by the rising mist? Determined to stop this insanity, he picked up his net and basket and turned to leave. But, at
this very instant, the dark shape broke through the haze again and began to grow. He could not see the thing clearly, but he thought he recognized some legless frogs in the dark, writhing mass. Slowly, it started to move towards him, growing larger as it came closer. His head was half turned away from the monster, but he was unable to face it head on, nor could he look away. His eyes, stuck in the corner of their sockets, were forced to watch in frozen fascination. Petrified
with fear and desperate to escape, he tried to run, but his legs no longer obeyed his will. Gathering what little strength was left in his shivering body, he wrenched his head back to face
the approaching horror. For a second, the picture of his lovely wife flashed through his mind as he prepared to meet his end. But before he had time to finish the thought, the threatening mass had retracted once again into the depth of the pond and nothing but a wisp of mist hovered over the spot where its terrifying bulk had risen. He breathed a sigh of relief and collapsed onto a nearby rock....


The Blue Rose

.His memory of his quest for the blue rose began to return. Guilt and desperation enveloped him. Why couldn't he have been more careful? He had the blue rose now, but what good was it going to be to his sister? It was his fault if she died. "Tanya, Tanya," he cried. "What am I to do? Oh God, please help me!" He sobbed and sobbed. He was so cold. His hands and feet were frozen lumps. He made one more futile attempt to move, but the slightest effort sent stabs of intolerable pain
through his whole body. He was exhausted and delirious with pain. But worst of all was the ache in his heart, knowing that he had with him the cure for his sister's illness, but could not bring it to her. In utter frustration he laid his head down on the soggy gravel and sobbed his heart out. His mind began to wander and soon entered the land of dreams. Slowly the pain faded and he slipped into the dark of unconsciousness.

It was near midnight when they heard a loud knock at the front door. Fully alert in an instant, their hearts pounding with anticipation, Nick and Katharina jumped up as one. The same thought flashed through both their minds. Could it be Andy? Had someone found him? Against all odds, hope
flared up in their aching hearts like a light. For a brief moment they dared not move for fear of what they might find. Then they both rushed downstairs to open the door.

The sight that faced them left them at once terrified and filled with joy. They recognized Andy's blond head hidden beneath the soaking wet jacket of an incredibly tall man. Rivulets of water ran off the giant's black hat, and his red hair and long beard dripped with rain. His green eyes
sparkled fiercely in the sparse light of the oil lamp in Nick's hand and his grim looks inspired fear and awe. But fear had no chance against the love of a mother.

"Andy, Andy!" cried Katharina. "Where have you been?" trying to take her sleeping son from the arms of the giant. Alas! She could not reach him. The giant was too tall. Nick, so befuddled by the frightening appearance of the stranger, quite forgot his manners and did not even think to
ask him in, out of the rain. Sensing the fear and consternation in Nick's manner, the stern expression on the man's face changed to one of understanding, even sympathy. He gently
placed Andy's limp form into the outstretched arms of his mother. Torrents of water poured from his black hat onto her head and dress as he bent down, but she didn't notice. She was so overcome with joy and gratitude that she could have kissed the man despite his size and terrifying looks. If she had to lose poor Tanya, she at least had her beloved son back. Clutching Andy to her breast, she ran upstairs to get him out of his wet clothes and into bed.

Turning to Nick, the stranger said: "You have a most courageous son, sir. He braved the wild animals of the forest, a fierce storm and even the wrath of the Ghost of the Giant
Mountains to save his little sister. He almost lost his life trying to find the blue rose, the only cure for the Plague." With this the giant pulled a small leather pouch from his pocket and handed it to Nick.

"These are blue rose-hips," he said. Put them into boiling water to make tea. Then give the little girl as much of it as often as possible, but hurry, there's not much time left. Give some to Andy as well, it seems the Plague has caught up with him also.