Once upon a time, on a magical hill, there stood a little magical cottage. This was not an ordinary cottage for it was goldenrod yellow, with a soft purple gabled roof. Its edges were painted with black and white checks, ending with a finished roll of candy cane stripes.

Each of the house's four walls held a heart-shaped window. In the center of each window was a stained glass circle bearing the word BELIEVE.

Surrounding the windows like a wreath, were red hearts outlined with black and white checks. Above each window was a smiling sun face. Below each window was another heart wearing red and yellow checks. Each of these hearts were topped with a crown of flowers.

The heavy oak door wore a necklace of red cherries with green leaves. Its latch showed a welcoming shine.

Ivey climbed the walls onto the roof and up the gables ending in a frame around a Harlequinade face.

Having lost my way in the wood and with no place other to go, I approached the cottage. As I did, the Harlequin spoke, saying, "Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. He who looks outside, dreams. He who looks inside, awakens. There is nothing more properly the language of the heart than the wish. Enter, and receive the three wishes of your heart. But hear ye well. Remember my words to thee."

With a bow of his head, the great oak door opened. The sight which greeted me flooded my being with a sweet golden sunlight. The interior was unfurnished except for a rectangular table which held three perfectly clear crystal bowls. Upon closer inspection, I viewed that the table itself sat squarely in the middle of a reflecting pool. A narrow plank led from my feet, and across the water, to the table.

Out of the sunlight appeared a form with the loveliest voice I had ever encountered. Her smile was as a gentle rose. Beckoning me to come forward, she warned of care less I stumble into the water, of which there would be no returning.

Her calmness quinched my fearfulness as I approached and touched the table.

"My name is Grunhilda and you have entered into my magical cottage. You will be granted three wishes, but take care to follow the words of the Harlequin. If one of your wishes is not from the heart, you will loose all three.

I touched the first bowl and thought my wish. I touched the middle bowl and thought my wish. Lastly, I touched the final bowl and thought my wish.

Grunhilda said, "Now pour your wish out of the first bowl. If it is a wish from the heart the bowl will remain whole. Go to the next bowl and pour out your wish. If your wish is from the heart the bowl will remain whole. If, after you have poured your wish out of the last bowl, and it remains unbroken, you will be granted all three of your wishes. But if the first of the bowls should break, you will have lost all and you will leave with a hardened heart."

With great determination, I emptied the first bowl. It remained unbroken. I emptied the middle bowl and it also remained unbroken. Without hesitation, I boldly emptied the last bowl and it shown with the brightness of a thousand suns, as I replaced the unbroken bowl softly onto the table.

Grunhilda smiled and extended to me her cupped hands. Here are your three wishes. Use them wisely, for they are truely from the heart.

Suddenly, the reflecting pool was no longer under my feet. The table and bowls were nowhere in sight. The sun's blinding brightness had vanished and in its place was the most charming little cottage room I had ever seen.

A table of refreshment had been provided with delectable sweets. After enjoying my colation, a little man appeared and offered to lead me through the woods to the civilization from which I had become lost.