Therapy Bits

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Simply 6 Minutes – Welcome to the Challenge: 03/18/2025 – Stine Writing

In a time long ago, on the rugged coasts of Ireland, there existed a leprechaun by the name of Finnegan O’Shaughnessy. Finnegan was known for his fiery red hair, twinkling green eyes, and a penchant for mischief. He spent his days hiding his ill-gotten gold at the end of rainbows and leading travelers astray with his riddles and clever tricks.

One stormy evening, as thunder rumbled like an angry giant, a pirate ship crashed onto the rocky shores of the Emerald Isle. Captain Blackbeard Flint, a notorious pirate with a tangled beard and a heart as wild as the sea, had lost his way amidst the tempest. With his crew disoriented, Flint made landfall, hoping to find fresh provisions and perhaps some treasure.

Finnegan, watching the commotion from behind a craggy boulder, rubbed his hands together in delight. “Well, this could be fun!” he chuckled. He had always been curious about pirates and their tales of adventure on the high seas.

As the pirate crew set up camp to regroup, Flint wandered off, his eyes scanning the thick woods. Unbeknownst to him, Finnegan decided to play a trick. With a flick of his wrist, he transformed a small thornbush into a magnificent treasure chest, sparkling with fake jewels and ornate gold. The sight was enough to lure the greedy captain in.

“Look at that!” Flint exclaimed, his voice laced with excitement. “Treasure ‘tis calling!”

Before Flint could reach for the chest, Finnegan popped up from behind the bush. “Ahoy there, Captain! I see ye have an eye for treasure, but ‘tis a test ye must pass first!”

Startled, Flint grabbed his sword, brandishing it at the leprechaun. “What kind of sorcery is this?”

“Not sorcery, matey,” Finnegan replied, causing a chuckle to escape his lips. “Only a wee bit of magic and a riddle for the greedy heart. Solve it, and ye may keep it all. Fail, and it shall turn to smoke and shadows!”

Flint hesitated, but the allure of riches was too great. “Very well, shorty! What’s yer riddle?”

Finnegan smiled slyly and recited:

"I fly without wings,

I cry without eyes.

Whenever I go,

Darkness soon flies.

What am I?"

Flint scratched his beard, his brow furrowed in concentration. He paced back and forth, murmuring to himself. “Something that flies… but without wings?”

Several moments passed before inspiration struck him. “A cloud!” he boomed, and at that moment, the leprechaun’s laughter echoed through the trees.

“Correct ye be, Captain! A light in the darkness ye’ve summoned with yer wits. Take what is yours!”

With that, the treasure chest began to shimmer brightly before revealing a trove of sparkling coins, glistening jewels, and exquisite trinkets. Flint’s eyes widened with glee as the pirate dove recklessly into the mound of wealth.

“Ah! I can’t believe me luck!” he shouted, rolling in the loot. However, as the last coin touched his fingertips, he felt a sudden tug of conscience, fueled by a thought that hadn’t crossed his mind before—perhaps treasure wasn’t just measured in gold.

“Finnegan, yer a clever wee lad,” Flint said, standing up, still covered in a pile of jewels. “Tell me, what do ye do with all this gold?”

“Hide it away, of course!” Finnegan said with a smile. “But what good is gold without a tale to tell?”

“Ye’ve got a point there,” the pirate admitted. “How about this: I’ll split me treasure with ye if ye share some grand stories of magic and adventure!”

And thus, a peculiar friendship formed between the leprechaun and the pirate. They spent the rest of the night exchanging stories—Finnegan spoke of enchanted forests and mischievous faeries, while Flint recounted tales of his seafaring escapades and daring loot.

By dawn, the storm had passed, leaving behind a sky painted in hues of orange and gold. They stood together at the edge of the ocean, each man sharing a piece of their world. Eventually, Flint departed on his ship, carrying half the treasure and a heart a little fuller, while Finnegan watched from the shore, waving goodbye to an unlikely friend.

And so, the tale of the leprechaun and the pirate spread throughout the land, a legend woven into the fabric of Irish folklore—a reminder that adventure and friendship could be found in the most unexpected places.