SEVEN DOVES
by Clifton Johnson · from Bluebeard
Adapted Version
Channa loved her seven brothers very much. One day, something very strange happened. Channa picked a rosemary plant. Her brothers turned into seven white doves. The doves flew into the room. Channa felt very sad. She cried for her brothers. She missed them so much.
The seven doves spoke to Channa. "We are birds now," they said. "You picked the plant. Now we are doves. You must find Mother Time. She can help us. She knows how to change us back. Please help us, dear Channa."
Channa felt very sad. She made a promise. "I will find Mother Time," she said. She would help her brothers. Channa started her long walk. She was very brave. Her heart was full of hope.
Channa walked to the sea. A big whale came up. "What do you seek?" asked the whale. "I seek Mother Time," Channa said. "Go to the river," the whale told her. "Ask Mother Time about me. I hit the rocks too much."
Channa walked by the river. She saw a tiny mouse. "Where do you go?" asked the mouse. "I seek Mother Time," Channa said. "Go to the mountain," the mouse told her. "Ask Mother Time about cats. Cats chase us always."
Channa climbed the mountain. She saw a small ant. "Who are you?" asked the ant. "I seek Mother Time," Channa said. "Go to the plain," the ant told her. "Ask Mother Time about ants. We live for a short time."
Channa walked across the plain. She saw a very old tree. "Where do you go?" asked the tree. "I seek Mother Time," Channa said. "Go to the tall mountain," the tree told her. "Ask Mother Time about my acorns. They are not special now."
Channa came to the tall mountain. She saw an old man there. He was the kind Pilgrim. Channa helped him before. He looked very tired. He was happy to see her.
The Pilgrim remembered Channa's kindness. He wanted to help her now. He told her about Mother Time. "She lives on this mountain," he said. "I will tell you what to do. Listen very carefully, Channa."
The Pilgrim said, "Go to the castle. It is very old. Find a big clock inside. Touch the clock to make it quiet. Then Mother Time will listen. She will answer your questions." Channa understood.
Original Story
IX—SEVEN DOVES
Scarcely had the pilgrim gone when seven doves came flying into the room, and said: “Behold your brothers turned to birds and made companions of snipes, woodpeckers, jays, owls, rooks, starlings, blackbirds, tom-tits, larks, kingfishers, wrens, and sparrows. We shall be persecuted by hawks, and hunters will try to shoot us. Ah! why did you pluck that accursed rosemary and bring such a calamity on us? Doves we must remain for the rest of our lives unless you find the Mother of Time. She can tell you how to get us out of our trouble.”
Channa was greatly distressed over what she had done, and said she would start at once searching for the Mother of Time. She urged them to make the ogre’s house their home until she returned.
Away she went and journeyed on and on until she came to the seashore, where the waves were banging against the rocks. A huge whale came to the surface close at hand, looked at her, and asked, “What are you seeking, my pretty maiden?”
She replied, “I am seeking the Mother of Time.”
“Hear then what you must do,” the whale said. “Go along the shore, and when you come to a river, follow it up to its source. There you will meet some one who will show you the way. But do me one kindness. After you have found the old woman, ask her how I can swim about safely without so often knocking on the rocks and being thrown up on the sands.”
“I will gladly do that for you,” Channa said.
Then she thanked the whale and walked on along the shore. At length she came to a river and followed it up to its source in a beautiful open country of meadows starred with flowers. There she met a mouse who said to her, “Where are you going all alone, my pretty maiden?”
“I am seeking the Mother of Time,” Channa replied.
“You have a long way to go,” the mouse commented. “But do not lose heart. Go to yonder mountain, and you will obtain more news to help you in your search. And when you find the Mother of Time, will you do me one favor? Ask her what we mice can do to get rid of the tyranny of the cats.”
Channa promised to do this for the mouse, and trudged off toward the mountain. When she got to it she sat down on a stone to rest. Some ants were busy close by, and one of them addressed Channa, saying, “Who are you and whither are you going?”
She answered, “I am an unhappy girl who is seeking the Mother of Time.”
“Then keep on over the mountain to a large plain, and there you will get more news,” the ant said. “After you find the old woman please ask her how the ants can live longer. We store up a great deal of food, and this seems to me a folly while our lives are so short.”
“Be at ease,” Channa responded. “You can be sure that I will do your errand.”
Then she toiled on over the mountain to the great plain, where a wide-spreading old oak tree called to her as she was passing. “Whither are you going so sad, my little lady?” it said. “Come and rest in my shade.”
She thanked the old oak, but begged to be excused from stopping because she was going in haste to find the Mother of Time.
“You are not far from her dwelling,” the oak announced. “Before you have finished another day’s journey you will get to a high mountain on the summit of which is the home of her whom you seek. If you have as much kindness as beauty you will oblige me by asking her why it is that my fruit which used to be relished by strong men is now only made the food of hogs.”
“It will be a pleasure to do you such a service,” Channa affirmed, and departed.
The next day she arrived at the foot of a mountain which had its summit far up among the clouds. There she found an old man, wearied and wayworn, who had lain down on some hay. The moment he saw Channa he knew her, for he was the pilgrim to whom she had ministered. When she told him what she was seeking he responded that at last he could make some return for her kindness.
“My pretty maiden,” he said, “I would have you know that on the top of this mountain you will find a castle which was built so long ago that no one knows when it was built. The walls are cracked, the foundations are crumbling, the doors are worm-eaten, the furniture is worn out, and, in short, everything is gone to wrack and ruin.
“When you are almost to the castle, hide until Time goes out. After he has gone, enter, and you will find an old, old woman, whose face is covered with deep wrinkles, and whose eyebrows are so shaggy she will not be able to see you. She is seated on a clock which is fastened to the wall.
“Go in quickly and take off the weights that keep the machinery of the clock in motion. Then ask the old woman to answer your questions. She will instantly call her son to come and destroy you, but because you have stopped the clock by taking the weights he cannot move. Therefore she will be obliged to tell you what you want to know.”
Story DNA
Moral
Even accidental mistakes can have severe consequences, but with determination and kindness, redemption is possible.
Plot Summary
Channa accidentally transforms her seven brothers into doves by plucking rosemary. The doves instruct her to find the Mother of Time to reverse the curse. On her arduous journey, Channa encounters a whale, a mouse, an ant, and an oak tree, each providing directions and asking for a favor in return. Finally, she meets a pilgrim she once helped, who reveals the crucial method to confront the Mother of Time: disable a magical clock in her castle to immobilize her son and force her to answer.
Themes
Emotional Arc
distress to determination to hopeful anticipation
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Clifton Johnson was an American author and photographer who collected and retold folk tales, often adapting them for a broader audience.
Plot Beats (10)
- Channa's seven brothers are transformed into doves after she plucks a rosemary plant.
- The doves explain their plight and instruct Channa to find the Mother of Time to reverse the curse.
- Channa, distressed, promises to find the Mother of Time and sets off on her journey.
- She encounters a whale at the seashore, who gives her directions to the river's source and asks her to inquire about its safety.
- Following the river, Channa meets a mouse, who directs her to a mountain and asks her to inquire about protection from cats.
- On the mountain, Channa meets an ant, who directs her to a plain and asks her to inquire about longer life for ants.
- On the plain, Channa meets an old oak tree, who directs her to a high mountain and asks her to inquire about its fruit's diminished value.
- At the foot of the high mountain, Channa encounters the pilgrim she previously helped.
- The pilgrim recognizes her and, in return for her kindness, gives her detailed instructions on how to approach the Mother of Time.
- He explains she must hide, wait for Time to leave, enter the crumbling castle, and remove the weights from the clock to immobilize Time's son and force the Mother of Time to answer her questions.
Characters
Channa ★ protagonist
Of average height and slender build, she possesses a delicate appearance that belies her inner strength and determination. Her movements are purposeful, though sometimes weary from her long journey.
Attire: Simple, practical peasant attire suitable for long journeys. A long, modest linen dress in a muted color like cream or light blue, possibly with a plain apron over it. Sturdy, comfortable leather shoes or boots, and perhaps a shawl or cloak for protection against the elements. Her clothing shows signs of wear from her travels.
Wants: To reverse the curse on her brothers and alleviate her guilt for causing their transformation. She is driven by love for her family.
Flaw: Her initial impulsiveness and naivety, which led to her plucking the rosemary and cursing her brothers. She also carries a heavy burden of guilt.
She transforms from a distressed and remorseful girl into a courageous and resourceful heroine, undertaking a perilous quest to save her brothers and learning to navigate the world with wisdom and kindness.
Compassionate, determined, remorseful, courageous, empathetic.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young peasant woman standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a kind, earnest face with soft features and warm eyes. Her long, light brown hair is simply braided down her back. She wears a worn, long-sleeved cream linen dress, a plain, faded blue apron, and sturdy brown leather boots. Her posture is determined but shows a hint of weariness from travel. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Seven Doves ◆ supporting
Seven identical white doves, pure white plumage, sleek bodies, with soft, cooing voices. Their eyes are dark and expressive, conveying their distress.
Attire: Natural white feathers.
Wants: To be freed from their curse and return to their human forms.
Flaw: Their physical vulnerability as birds, susceptible to predators and hunters.
They remain doves throughout the depicted portion of the story, serving as the primary motivation for Channa's quest.
Distressed, mournful, hopeful (that Channa can save them).
Image Prompt & Upload
Seven pure white doves, identical in appearance, perched closely together on a branch. Their feathers are pristine, and their dark eyes convey a sense of sadness and hope. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Whale ◆ supporting
A huge, ancient whale, its skin possibly scarred or barnacle-encrusted from a long life in the ocean. Its size is immense, dominating the water around it.
Attire: Its natural skin.
Wants: To find a solution to its constant collisions with rocks and being stranded on sands.
Flaw: Its immense size makes it prone to accidental collisions with the shore.
Serves as a guide for Channa, hoping for a solution to its own problem.
Wise, helpful, weary, observant.
Image Prompt & Upload
A colossal, ancient whale, its dark grey skin textured and possibly scarred, breaking the surface of the ocean. Its large, dark eye is visible, conveying a sense of wisdom and weariness. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Mouse ◆ supporting
A small, nimble field mouse, with soft brown fur and delicate features. Its size is tiny compared to Channa.
Attire: Its natural fur.
Wants: To find a way to escape the tyranny of cats.
Flaw: Its small size and vulnerability to predators, especially cats.
Serves as a guide for Channa, hoping for a solution to its own problem.
Timid, hopeful, burdened by fear.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, agile field mouse with soft brown fur and a long tail, standing on its hind legs, looking up. Its black, beady eyes are alert, and its whiskers are twitching. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Ant ◆ supporting
A tiny, industrious ant, black or dark brown, with segmented body and six legs. It is one of many, but speaks with individual agency.
Attire: Its natural exoskeleton.
Wants: To find a way for ants to live longer, making their hard work more meaningful.
Flaw: Their extremely short lifespan.
Serves as a guide for Channa, hoping for a solution to its own problem.
Industrious, pragmatic, concerned with longevity.
Image Prompt & Upload
A single, dark brown ant, its segmented body and six legs clearly visible, standing on a small pebble. Its antennae are slightly raised. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Old Oak ◆ supporting
A massive, ancient oak tree, with a wide-spreading canopy, gnarled branches, and a thick, deeply furrowed trunk. Its roots are likely visible above ground.
Attire: Its natural bark and leaves.
Wants: To understand why its acorns, once valued by humans, are now only food for hogs.
Flaw: Its inability to move or directly influence the world beyond its location.
Serves as a guide for Channa, hoping for a solution to its own problem.
Wise, benevolent, nostalgic, slightly melancholic.
Image Prompt & Upload
A colossal, ancient oak tree with a massive, gnarled trunk and wide-spreading, leafy branches. Its bark is deeply furrowed, indicating immense age. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Pilgrim ◆ supporting
An old man, wearied and wayworn from long travels. His body is likely thin and stooped, showing the toll of his journeys. His hands might be gnarled.
Attire: Simple, worn pilgrim's attire: a coarse, hooded cloak in a muted color like grey or brown, a staff, and sturdy but well-worn sandals or boots. His clothes are practical and show signs of extensive travel.
Wants: To repay Channa's past kindness by guiding her to the Mother of Time.
Flaw: His physical frailty due to age and travel.
Serves as the final, crucial guide for Channa, fulfilling his debt of gratitude.
Wise, grateful, observant, patient.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly man, thin and stooped, with a deeply wrinkled face, a long grey beard, and kind, knowing eyes. He wears a coarse, hooded grey cloak over simple tunic and trousers, and worn leather sandals. He leans on a sturdy wooden staff. His posture is weary but dignified. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Mother of Time ◆ supporting
An extremely old woman, her body likely frail and hunched. Her face is covered with deep, ancient wrinkles, suggesting immense age.
Attire: Worn, ancient garments that reflect her dwelling's decay. Perhaps a simple, faded, dark-colored gown made of coarse fabric, showing signs of extreme age and disrepair, possibly tattered or moth-eaten.
Wants: To maintain the flow of time through her son, and to answer questions when compelled.
Flaw: Her inability to see clearly due to shaggy eyebrows, and her reliance on the clock's weights for her son's movement, which can be manipulated.
She is the ultimate source of answers for Channa's quest and the other characters' problems.
Ancient, powerful, possibly irritable or impatient due to her son's constant motion, but ultimately bound by rules.
Image Prompt & Upload
An extremely ancient woman, frail and hunched, with a face deeply covered in countless wrinkles. Her eyebrows are long and shaggy, obscuring her eyes. Her sparse, white hair is pulled back messily. She wears a simple, faded, dark grey, tattered gown made of coarse fabric. She is seated on a large, ornate, antique wall clock, its pendulum visible below her. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Ogre's House
The room where Channa's brothers, now doves, gather after their transformation. It is implied to be a place of temporary refuge.
Mood: distressed, temporary refuge
Channa's brothers reveal their curse and task her with finding the Mother of Time; Channa promises to help and urges them to stay here.
Image Prompt & Upload
A dimly lit, rustic room with rough-hewn timber walls and a low, smoke-stained ceiling. A single, small window with wooden shutters allows a sliver of weak light. Seven white doves perch on a sturdy, unadorned wooden table in the center, their feathers stark against the dark wood. The air feels heavy with sorrow and urgency. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Seashore with Crashing Waves
A rugged coastline where ocean waves powerfully hit against exposed rocks. A vast, open expanse of water stretches to the horizon.
Mood: vast, natural, a sense of journey and mystery
Channa begins her quest and encounters a wise whale who gives her the first direction to the Mother of Time.
Image Prompt & Upload
A dramatic, windswept seashore with massive, dark grey rocks jutting out into a turbulent, deep blue ocean. White-capped waves crash against the rocks, sending spray high into the air. The sky is expansive, with hints of a distant horizon. A colossal whale's head breaks the surface of the water near the shore, its eye ancient and knowing. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Mountain Summit Castle
An ancient, crumbling castle perched on the very top of a high mountain, its summit lost among the clouds. The walls are cracked, foundations unstable, doors worm-eaten, and furniture worn out, indicating extreme age and decay. Inside, an old woman sits on a wall-mounted clock.
Mood: ancient, desolate, decaying, mysterious, powerful
Channa finds the dwelling of the Mother of Time, stops the clock, and gets her questions answered.
Image Prompt & Upload
A desolate, ancient castle ruin perched precariously on a jagged mountain peak, its highest spires disappearing into swirling, grey clouds. The rough-hewn stone walls are deeply cracked and covered in lichen, with sections of the foundation visibly crumbling. Inside, a vast, circular chamber with a high, vaulted ceiling shows signs of extreme decay, with worm-eaten wooden beams and tattered tapestries. An impossibly old woman with a deeply wrinkled face and shaggy eyebrows sits on a colossal, ornate grandfather clock mechanism built into the stone wall, its brass weights hanging heavily. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
