A MAGIC ROSE
by Amy Ella Blanchard · from The wonderful fan
Adapted Version
Tina had a white feather fan. She did not like it anymore. She threw it over the garden wall. A little girl stood on the other side. "You must give me a rose," she said. Tina gave her a red rose. The little girl touched Tina with the rose. Suddenly, Tina was on a stony path. "This is not nice," Tina said. "You threw the fan here," the girl said. They came to a muddy ditch. Tina could not jump over it. She tried and slipped in the mud. "Say you are sorry," the girl said. "I am sorry," said Tina. The girl touched her with the rose. Tina was on the other side. They found a big stone door. The girl tapped it with the rose. "Kitty-cat, open the door," she said. The door opened into a big room. A kind guard sat by a door. "Can we go in?" the girl asked. "Knock," said the guard. The girl knocked with the rose. "Kitty-cat, are you home?" she said. The door opened. A big cat sat on a cushion. She wore a gold crown. "Look in the fire," the cat said. Tina looked into the warm fire. She saw herself throw the fan. She saw it land in the garden. Then the girl was gone. Only the rose was there. The cat tapped Tina with the rose. Tina was in her own room. A black cat was in her toys. "You messed up my things!" Tina cried. "This is my room," the black cat said. Many cats came and blocked the door. They sat and looked at Tina. The Queen Cat came into the room. She wore a shiny crown. Tina took the rose from a cat. She was outside a stone castle. "Rose, rose, help me," Tina said. A horse came. It was a white horse. Tina rode on the horse. She felt very tired. She fell asleep on the horse. She woke up in the snow. The horse and rose were gone. Her fan was by her side. It was clean and white. Tina hugged the fan. "I will be more careful now," Tina said.
Original Story
A MAGIC ROSE.
“Well, here you are again,” she said. “You must have wings. I don’t see how else you could get about as you do. I really am tired of you;” and, giving the fan a fling, she threw it over the wall.
“Ha! ha! You can’t get rid of me that way,” said some one. “You’ll have to give me a rose now.”
71“Who on earth is that?” said Tina. And a little girl appeared on the other side of the wall.
“I suppose you came out of the fan?” said Tina.
“Of course,” said she. “You had no business to throw the fan away; and now you will have to give me a rose for it.”
Tina turned and took a rose from the bush by her side. “What are you going to do with it?” she said.
“You will see,” she said.
“That’s what they all say,” said Tina; “and I should think I did see.”
The little girl laughed, and said: “I had better not tell you what is coming, but you have been with the Flower Children long enough;” and saying this, she touched Tina with the rose, and in another moment she was on the other side of the wall.
The ground was rough and stony, and hard to walk upon.
72“This isn’t a bit nice,” said she. “You might have taken a better path.”
“You can’t expect to have things always pleasant,” said the little girl. “Remember, this is where you threw the fan.”
Tina was silent, and went on stumbling over the rocks.
They soon came to a muddy ditch; the little girl sprang over it, and stood on the other side waiting for Tina; but although she tried and tried, she could not get over it.
“What am I to do?” she said.
“Say you are sorry you threw the fan over the wall,” said the little girl.
“I am sorry,” said Tina.
The little girl leaned over and touched her with the rose, and at once she was on the other side.
They went on, picking their way through the mud, till they came to a large hole in the side of a hill. There was a heavy stone rolled up in front of it.
74The little girl took the rose, and lightly tapped with it, saying:
“Kitty-cat! Kitty-cat!
Some one is here;
Two times, or three times,
You need have no fear.”
The heavy stone was rolled away, and they went into what seemed a long, winding passage. It grew darker and darker as they went on.
“Take care,” said the little girl. “Here are some steps.”
They went down two or three steps, and came to a big stone door.
The little girl touched it two or three times with the rose, saying:
“Kitty-cat! Kitty-cat!
Open the door;
Two knocks, or three knocks,
Have brought you before.”
75The door swung open, and they stepped into a large room, or rather hall.
On a big rug, in front of a door, lay a large dog, with two or three kittens crawling over him.
“Is Kitty-cat ready for us?” asked the little girl.
“Yes,” said the big dog, in a gruff voice. “She has just taken her nap.”
“Can we go in?” said she.
“Knock, and see,” was the reply.
The little girl knocked with the rose, and said:
“Kitty-cat! Kitty-cat!
Are you at home?
Open the door, please,
And see who has come.”
The door slowly opened—they went in. It closed after them, and Tina saw that they were in a large room. There seemed to be no one there at first; but, on looking around, she saw a large Maltese cat, sitting on a velvet cushion in front of 76the fire. She had a gold crown on her head, and around her neck a fine collar embroidered with pearls.
The two girls went softly up to her. She waved her paw toward a lounge on one side, and they sat down.
For some time nothing was said, and they all sat looking at the fire.
Then the cat turned her green eyes toward Tina, and said, “So you couldn’t get over the ditch?”
“How do you know?” said she.
“How do I know anything?” said the cat. “Look in the fire.”
Tina looked, and saw the most wonderful sights, just as if they were really there. All that had just passed was plainly before her. She even saw herself standing by the ditch, and waiting to have the stone doors opened.
“This is very strange,” she thought. Just then the cat got up, stretched herself, and walked over to where Tina was sitting. She jumped up on the lounge and put her paw in Tina’s lap.
78Tina looked around for the little girl, but she was gone, and only the rose was lying where she had been sitting.
Tina picked up the rose, but the cat took it from her, saying, “You must not have that till you go. Now it is time for me to take another nap; so you can go to your room.” And, holding the rose in her paw, she gave Tina a tap with it, and she at once found that she was in her own room at home.
“Well, I am glad to get back,” she said. “I wonder if everything is all right?”
She looked about her for her toys. She only saw a few of them, and at the same time she heard something scratching and growling over by the window. She ran quickly to see, and there found a black cat wound up in her favorite toys, kicking and scratching, and making a great fuss.
“Oh, dear!” she began to cry, “you have 79ruined my things, you nasty, mean cat!” The cat sat up on its hind legs, every hair bristling.
“Don’t you call me that!” it said. “What did you do to the fan? Remember where you are.”
“I am in my own room,” said Tina.
“Oh, you think so,” said the cat. “Well, perhaps you will find out you are mistaken. It is my room, I’ll have you to know.”
“It isn’t,” said Tina.
“It is,” said the cat.
“I am going to tell my mamma,” sobbed Tina; and she ran to the door.
But the cat was there before her, and began waltzing around on its hind legs, crying, “Where is the rose? How are you going to get out without the rose?”
And Tina found she could not get by the cat. She made a rush at it and gave it a knock. Instantly the room was full of cats. They snarled and glared at Tina, so that she was frightened nearly to death.
80She began to wring her hands and look for some way to get out, but the cats were all around her.
In the midst of the noise and fuss, in came the cat with the crown and collar. Two little white kittens were holding up her tail; and another one held a silver waiter, with the rose lying on it. A large black cat brought up the rear with the velvet cushion.
“What is the matter?” asked the queen cat.
Then all the cats began to point at Tina, and to talk at once.
She stood there crying, hardly knowing what to do, when a thought struck her, and she ran forward and snatched the rose from the silver waiter.
In an instant she was standing outside of the stone castle.
“Now, where am I to go?” said she. “I would like to get away from here as fast as I can. I am afraid the cats will come after me.”
82She looked around, and saw a stable. “I wonder if there is a horse in there?” she said. “I might get on his back, if there is, and get away.”
She went up to the door, and touched it with the rose, but it did not open.
“Oh, dear! if I could only think of something to say,” she said.
She stood there looking at the rose, and lifted it to her lips without thinking. As soon as she had done it, she found herself saying:
“Horse, horse, open the door,
I never wished you so much before.
Take me away,
Horsey, I pray,
Horse, horse, open the door!”
The door flew open, and there stood a horse. Tina climbed up on his back, touched him with the rose, and he trotted out. The door swung to, and they set off down the road.
“How glad I am to get out of there, and yet I thought I was in my own room,” said Tina.
83“I wonder where the horse will take me?”
The horse pricked up his ears and jogged along in a very sleepy sort of a way, and Tina began to get sleepy too.
She felt herself nodding, nodding, when all at once the horse kicked up his heels, and over Tina went, right into a snow-bank.
She sat up rubbing her eyes, and looked around for the horse, but he was nowhere in sight. The rose too was gone, but there by her side was the fan.
Story DNA
Moral
Actions have consequences, and one must take responsibility for their behavior, even if it seems trivial.
Plot Summary
Tina carelessly discards a fan, leading a mysterious little girl to appear and take her on a magical journey. She faces obstacles that require her to apologize for her actions, encounters a wise queen cat who shows her the consequences of her behavior, and is then tormented by a multitude of angry cats in what she thought was her own room. Tina eventually uses a magic rose to escape, summons a horse, and wakes up back in her world with the fan, having learned a valuable lesson about responsibility.
Themes
Emotional Arc
carelessness to fear to relief and understanding
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Reflects common themes in children's literature of the late 19th/early 20th century, emphasizing moral lessons and imaginative journeys.
Plot Beats (13)
- Tina carelessly throws a fan over a wall, declaring she's tired of it.
- A mysterious little girl appears from the other side of the wall, demanding a rose for the discarded fan.
- The little girl touches Tina with the rose, transporting her to a rough, stony land.
- Tina struggles to cross a muddy ditch and is only able to do so after apologizing for throwing the fan away.
- They enter a hidden passage to a large hall, where a dog guards a door to a cat's room.
- Inside, a regal Maltese cat with a crown and collar shows Tina her past actions reflected in a fire.
- The little girl disappears, leaving only the rose, and the cat taps Tina with it, sending her back to her own room.
- Tina finds her room overrun by a hostile black cat, who claims the room and has ruined her toys.
- Tina tries to escape but is blocked by the cat, who multiplies into many snarling cats.
- A queen cat arrives, and Tina, in a moment of inspiration, snatches the magic rose from a waiter.
- The rose instantly transports Tina outside a stone castle.
- Tina uses a magical rhyme with the rose to summon a horse and rides away.
- Tina falls asleep on the horse and wakes up in a snow-bank, the horse and rose gone, but the fan returned by her side.
Characters
Tina ★ protagonist
A young girl of average height and build for her age, with a tendency to stumble over rough terrain. Her exact features are not explicitly described, but she is likely fair-skinned given the story's origin.
Attire: Simple, comfortable clothing suitable for a child playing outdoors, likely a linen or cotton dress in a muted color, possibly with an apron, reflecting a late 19th-century European setting.
Wants: Initially, to get rid of the fan. Later, her primary motivation is to escape the magical situations she finds herself in and return home.
Flaw: Impulsiveness and a tendency to complain or be easily frustrated. She also relies heavily on external magical aid rather than her own ingenuity until the very end.
She transforms from a careless, somewhat ungrateful child who throws things away to someone who learns the consequences of her actions, appreciates her home, and develops a degree of resourcefulness and courage.
Impulsive (throws the fan away), initially somewhat petulant and complaining (about the path, the ditch), curious, easily frightened, and resourceful (snatching the rose).
Image Prompt & Upload
A young girl, approximately 8 years old, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has fair skin, a round face, and light brown hair tied back in a simple braid. Her eyes are a curious blue. She wears a simple, knee-length blue linen dress with short sleeves and a white lace collar, and sturdy brown leather shoes. She holds a single vibrant red rose in her right hand, looking slightly wide-eyed and thoughtful. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Little Girl ◆ supporting
A small, ethereal girl, appearing suddenly from the other side of a wall. Her exact features are not detailed, suggesting a somewhat generic, innocent appearance that belies her magical nature.
Attire: Simple, perhaps nature-inspired clothing, possibly a light green or white dress, suggesting a connection to flowers or the natural world. Not explicitly described, but would be modest and unadorned.
Wants: To teach Tina a lesson about consequences and appreciation, guiding her through a magical journey initiated by Tina's own actions.
Flaw: Not explicitly shown, as she is a magical facilitator. Perhaps her detachment from human emotions, as she doesn't directly empathize with Tina's struggles.
She serves as a catalyst and guide for Tina's journey, remaining consistent in her role as a magical teacher. She does not undergo a personal arc.
Mysterious, knowing, slightly mischievous, and a guide. She speaks in riddles and offers cryptic advice, pushing Tina to learn lessons.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small girl, approximately 7 years old, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has fair skin, a delicate face, and long, wavy golden-blonde hair that falls past her shoulders. Her eyes are a bright, knowing green. She wears a simple, flowing, pale green linen dress with short puffed sleeves and a white ribbon tied at the waist. She holds a single vibrant red rose in her right hand, with a slight, mysterious smile on her lips. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Queen Cat ⚔ antagonist
A large Maltese cat, implying a fluffy, grey-blue coat. She carries herself with regal dignity.
Attire: A gold crown on her head and a fine collar embroidered with pearls around her neck. These items signify her royal status.
Wants: To observe Tina, test her, and perhaps teach her a lesson about consequences and respect, especially regarding the fan.
Flaw: Not explicitly shown, as she holds considerable power within her domain. Perhaps a certain aloofness or detachment from human concerns.
She remains a consistent figure of authority and judgment, not undergoing a personal arc but facilitating Tina's.
Majestic, wise, somewhat intimidating, and stern. She is a powerful magical being who observes and judges Tina's actions.
Image Prompt & Upload
A large, fluffy Maltese cat, sitting upright on a plush, dark red velvet cushion, facing forward, full body visible head to toe. Its fur is a soft grey-blue. It has piercing, intelligent green eyes and a calm, regal expression. A small, ornate gold crown rests upon its head, and a delicate collar embroidered with shimmering pearls encircles its neck. Its posture is one of dignified authority. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Black Cat ⚔ antagonist
A large black cat, with bristling fur when angered. It is capable of standing on its hind legs and waltzing.
Attire: No specific wardrobe, but its black fur is its defining visual.
Wants: To torment Tina, assert its ownership of 'her' room, and prevent her escape, acting as an enforcer of the magical realm's rules.
Flaw: Not explicitly shown, but it is ultimately subservient to the Queen Cat.
It remains a consistent antagonist, serving its role in Tina's magical trial.
Aggressive, territorial, mischievous, and confrontational. It delights in tormenting Tina and asserting its claim over her room.
Image Prompt & Upload
A large, sleek black cat standing on its hind legs, facing forward, full body visible head to toe. Its fur is short and glossy black, bristling slightly around its neck and back. It has sharp, glowing yellow eyes and a menacing snarl on its face, showing pointed teeth. Its front paws are held up as if ready to strike or dance. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Tina's Garden Wall
A garden area with a rose bush, adjacent to a low wall over which Tina throws a fan. The ground on the other side is rough and stony.
Mood: Initially playful and defiant, quickly becomes mysterious and slightly unsettling as Tina is transported.
Tina throws the fan, meets the Flower Child, and is first transported to the magical realm.
Image Prompt & Upload
A low, weathered stone garden wall, partially covered in climbing ivy, separates a lush, well-tended rose garden from a wild, untamed patch of rough, stony ground. Bright red roses bloom profusely on a bush near the wall, their petals catching soft, diffused sunlight. Beyond the wall, the ground is uneven, scattered with small, sharp rocks and sparse, hardy weeds under a bright, clear sky. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Winding Passage and Stone Door
A long, winding passage inside a hill, growing progressively darker. It leads to two or three steps down, ending at a large, heavy stone door.
Mood: Mysterious, dark, and slightly foreboding, with a sense of hidden secrets.
Tina and the little girl enter the hidden passage and use the rose to open the first stone door.
Image Prompt & Upload
A dark, winding passage carved roughly into the earth, its walls of damp, grey rock glistening faintly in the dim, unseen light. The passage narrows and descends slightly, leading to a heavy, ancient stone door, deeply set into the rock face. The door is made of massive, unadorned stone slabs, with faint moss growing in its crevices, suggesting immense age and weight. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Queen Cat's Throne Room
A large, opulent room or hall, with a big rug in front of a door. Inside, a Maltese cat with a gold crown and pearl collar sits on a velvet cushion by a fire. There's a lounge on one side.
Mood: Regal, mysterious, and initially comforting, but quickly becomes intimidating and overwhelming.
Tina meets the Queen Cat, sees visions in the fire, and later confronts a room full of snarling cats before snatching the rose.
Image Prompt & Upload
An opulent, dimly lit chamber with high, vaulted ceilings and walls draped in rich, dark tapestries depicting abstract patterns. A grand stone fireplace dominates one wall, casting warm, flickering light onto a plush, deep red velvet rug spread before it. On the rug, a large, ornate velvet cushion sits, and to one side, a luxurious, overstuffed lounge upholstered in dark green velvet. The air is still and heavy, filled with the scent of woodsmoke and old fabric. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Snow-Bank in a Winter Landscape
A deep snow-bank in a vast, open winter landscape. The horse that carried Tina is nowhere in sight, and the rose is gone.
Mood: Abrupt, disorienting, and cold, signaling the end of the magical journey.
Tina is unceremoniously dumped into the snow, ending her magical adventure and returning her to a semblance of reality.
Image Prompt & Upload
A vast, pristine winter landscape stretches to the horizon under a pale, overcast sky, with gentle hills covered in deep, undisturbed snow. A large, soft snow-bank forms a prominent feature in the foreground, its surface sparkling faintly. Sparse, snow-laden pine trees dot the distant landscape, their dark forms contrasting with the white expanse. The air is crisp and cold, with a quiet, serene stillness. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
