Wantando's Gift

"The tests are conclusive," said her oncologist "you are cancer free." Wynona could hardly believe it. After all this time she was going to be okay. "Honey," said Wantando her burly husband "that's incredible! Let's celebrate, anything you want." She looked thoughtful "Well,

I think it's time to visit my sister." Wynona's husband frowned. "But you and she haven't spoken for 15 years. You said you wished she was the one who got cancer, not you. Why the change of heart?" Wynona looked at her hands. "Before Dad died, he asked me to give Nora something."

“The family pickle recipe. It has been passed down for countless generations, from the old country. Delicious dill pickles, half sour, so there’s a delightful crunch. But I’m hopeless in the kitchen. Nora must carry it on.”

Nora looked up from her dusty tome. How could her family expect her to dedicate her life to something as banal as pickles. Would they let her stray if they knew the spell she had just perfected? Eventually, Nora mustered the words to address her family.

“Dad? Mom? There’s something I have to tell you.” The room went quiet. “I know, sweetie. I always knew you were in the wardrobe.” “No, mom…” “Go on…” “I turned myself into a pickle, mother! I’m Pickle Nora!” Her dad let out a hearty laugh. “Funniest stuff I’ve ever seen!”

The twinkle in their eyes said it all- unconditional approval. Her parents embraced her and together they sang the pickle song.