Witch of the Full Moo (anthro cow story)

(This story was written for more general audiences. I hope you enjoy it.)

It was a dark and stormy… morning.

Between the pouring rain, the wailing of a black cat, and the irritating noise the alarm clock made, there was no chance of the cow sleeping in. She sat up, shut off her alarm, and grumbled as she slumped over in her bed. The young cow put on her big round glasses, stretched her arms over her head, and yawned. She then stood up and gazed with contempt out the window.

"Gee, what a great way to start the autumn break." She grumbled.

The cow made her way to her closet to pick out her outfit.

“Gee…” She said sarcastically as she looked at her closet. “Do I want to wear the witch gown, the witch gown, the witch gown… or the school dress?”

With a sigh, the cow put on a witch gown and topped it off with a hat. She adjusted the stockings on her legs, put on some gloves, and picked up her satchel of various supplies. As she stepped out into the hallway, she could hear a fierce cackle. It echoed through all the halls as the young cow made her way down the stairs. And there, at the kitchen door, an ominous shadow was cast, as a being with a long nose and fierce horns bellowed. The young cow just rolled her eyes and stepped around the corner.

There, was an elderly witch. She had green fur, a great big hat, and a rather pudgy body. She cackled evilly as she stirred a ladle in a big cauldron over the fireplace in the corner. She even hummed a sinister tune to herself as she poured some of the murky green liquid into a bowl. She then laughed even louder as she turned around to loom before the young cow…

“Hi, Grandma Winnie.” The young cow said with a shrug.

The witch put on a warm smile. “Good morning, Melody.”

Melody was staying with her grandmother Winifred during her week off from high school. It was the middle of October, so Melody’s parents felt it was a good time to get the teenager more in touch with her family’s magical history. In other words; they wanted Melody to learn to be more like a witch. The young cow wasn’t fully against the idea of using magic… she just wished she’d gotten a bit more of a say in what she did during her time away from high school.

Melody adjusted her hat as she sat down at the little kitchen table. Her grandmother stepped up and placed a bowl of murky green stuff down before her. The young cow raised an eyebrow as she picked up her spoon.

“Uh… what is this, Grandma?”

"It's just a nice vegetable soup, sweetie." The elderly cow snickered. "You've got to keep your strength up during the cold seasons."

“I guess that makes sense…” Melody scooped up a spoonful of the stuff. “I guess I just thought it would be made of… you know…”

“What? Little kiddies?” Winnie’s eyes gleamed. “Don’t be silly; we don’t eat sweets for breakfast.”

She tilted her head back and cackled… which by this point Melody recognized as her normal laughter at one of her jokes. Melody tried not to smile too wide as she ate the soup.

After eating her bowl of soup, Winifred stood up and made for the back door at the far side of the kitchen. She twirled a finger in the air, and a magic broom went flying into her grasp. She then opened the front door and adjusted her big hat.

“Alright, Melody: I’ve got a few errands to run around town.” Winifred turned and gestured toward her other broom. “Care to come with me? We can get started on teaching you the basics of flying!”

“Hmm…” Melody turned to look out the window; that storm was still raging pretty hard. She then frowned and looked back at Winifred. “Uhh, sorry Grandma, but I don’t exactly trust using a magic broom in that weather.”

“Alright, suit yourself…” Winifred turned around again. “But maybe I’ll just have to teach you how to re-direct rain out of your eyes tomorrow; we can’t have you staying cooped up all vacation long, can we?”

“I guess not, Grandma Winnie.” Melody frowned.

“Right.” The elderly cow gave her granddaughter a wink. “I’ll see you later, sweetie. I love you!”

Melody flushed in embarrassment. "I… love you too, Grandma."

Winifred took her broom out through the door, which magically closed and locked behind her. Soon enough, Melody saw her grandmother flying through the air, cackling and swerving around with glee. She then flew off over the treetops, leaving Melody home alone.

The young cow turned to look out the window again. That stupid storm was still raging. She groaned and made to walk into the living room.

What to do, what to do… She thought as she scratched her chin. Grandma doesn’t have a TV. There’s no wi-fi, and I left all of my electronic stuff back with my parents.

Melody sighed and shook her head. She then looked over at a bookshelf at the side of the living room. There were all sorts of dusty old books of varying sizes and colors… there was no telling what kind of wacky magical stuff was in them.

I guess reading something is a good way to pass the time… Melody adjusted her glasses. At least, until Grandma gets home, and we can look into some REAL magic…

Melody made her way over to the shelf, grabbed a book, and then walked over to sit in an armchair. She put her feet up on a footstool and settled in to enjoy the book…

Skitter-skitter-skitter.

Melody's big ears wriggled, and she looked up from her book. She could just barely hear something shuffling along the hard-tile floor in the kitchen. The young cow grimaced, and she quietly put her book down. She tip-toed toward the kitchen doorway and listened as more skittering sounded.

The cow poked her head quietly into the kitchen… and saw two little mice making their way across the floor.

They were pretty small; barely three inches tall each. They looked pretty skinny and soaking wet; they must have slipped into the cottage when Winifred left the door open.

Melody felt a little bad; she'd heard a lot of stories about the rough lives that micros had to live. But at the same time… she felt a little excited. It wasn't every day that she found a micro, and there were two of them, cowering and looking for food. This looked like a great way for the young cow to find a bit of real entertainment.

But… how was she to introduce herself to the mice? The moment she stepped out into view, they’d panic and run in fear. Melody scratched her chin and backed up to think… when she spotted a can on one of the desks. In that open can were at least a dozen wooden sticks… wait, no; they were wands. With a grin, the young cow stepped over to the can, picked up a wan, and held it carefully in her hands.

Okay, now let’s see… She practiced with a swish and a flick. I didn’t get much practice before last night… but I think I’ve got the right idea.

Melody looked back into the kitchen, and saw the two mice struggling to climb up the counter; they had a little grappling hook, but it didn't look very sturdy. One mouse held the end while the other slowly climbed his way toward the top of the counter. The counter had a bowl of apples on it; maybe they were hungry. With a grin, the cow readied her wind, tip-toed into the kitchen, and pointed the wand at a mouse.

“Need some help?” She asked playfully.

By the time the two mice had gasped, she’d already cast her little spell. The mouse on the floor suddenly shook in place, before he rocketed up into the air. He squeaked in fright as he dashed up past his friend… and went on a collision course for the ceiling. Melody gasped and quickly scrambled to stop the spell. The mouse came to a quick halt just inches from the ceiling… and he shook in fear.

“Uhh…” The cow gulped. “That… That was a bit much. Sorry about that…”

She gently lowered her wand, and the mouse briskly floated down. She then redirected him toward the kitchen table, all while his limbs flailed wildly. Meanwhile, the other mouse slid down the rope and tried to make a run for it. Melody plopped the first mouse then and then turned her wand toward the other one.

“Hey, chill out for a moment.” She said.

There was a flash of light… and the mouse’s feet were frozen in a block of ice. He squeaked and struggled to get free, while Melody’s ears drooped.

“Uhh… I didn’t mean that literally.” The cow gulped again.

She adjusted her glasses as she quickly rushed over to pick up the mouse. He cried out as she grasped the block of ice to lift it. She brought him to the sink and ran the ice under hot water. Bit by bit the ice melted, and soon the mouse was free… to kick her hand and leap out. He tried to get over the edge, but he wound up hitting his stomach and sliding down into the sink.

Melody lifted her hand to rub it where the mouse kicked her. She then looked back and forth between the two; one was trapped on the table, while the other was trying and failing to get out of the sink. They were both quite distressed; the one on the table even looked like he was going to start crying. Melody's heart sank; this was going south in a hurry.

“Uhh…” She flicked her tail back and forth as she clasped her hands together. “W-Welcome to my cottage?”

The mouse on the table looked up at her with big, sorrowful eyes. “Please don’t hurt us.”

“Whoa, what? Hurt you?” She frowned down at him. “Who said anything about hurting you?”

“I thought you were going to turn me into a mess on the ceiling.”

“Err…” Melody put her wand away. “S-Sorry about that. Uhh… I think the wand might be a little bit on the fritz… or something.”

The mouse on the table looked up at her in confusion… while the other one growled in frustration.

“Let me out of here!” He yelled as he pathetically slammed into the wall of the sink. “This isn’t funny!”

“Alright, alright, calm down…” The cow turned to reach down to pluck the mouse up. He immediately swung his little talons at her, which made her pull her hand back. “Well sheesh, did you want me to use my wand?”

The mouse gasped, and then crossed his arms and shivered. “Alright, alright; pick me up. Just don’t drop me!”

Melody very carefully picked up the mouse and made to put him down beside his friend. She then sat down at the table and looked over the two little guys. They looked like teenagers; just a bit younger than herself. They were wearing little overalls and smelled like mud. They huddled up together for warmth as they gazed up worriedly at the big cow.

“I’d go into a big thing about trespassing…” Melody said. “…but honestly it’s good that you found shelter in the cottage; it’s better than you two freezing to death.”

“Wh-What are you going to do with us?” One mouse asked worriedly.

“Oh, relax…” She put on a little smile. “You’re safe and sound. Here; let’s get you some fruit…”

The cow got up and went to grab an apple. She used a knife to cut it into slices, and then put those slices on the plate. She placed the plate before the mice and picked up a slice to eat it. The two mice looked down at the slices cautiously before picking one to bite into.

“My name’s Melody.” The cow said softly. “What are your names?”

“We’re… Uhh…” One mouse looked away nervously. “I’m Simon. And he’s Jason.”

“Don’t tell her our names!” The other mouse exclaimed. “It could give her power over us… or something!”

Melody snickered a little. "That only works if I learn your TRUE names. But something tells me that Simon and Jason are pretty regular."

Jason glared up at the cow, who grimaced. “But, uh… they’re still very nice names. And you two look pretty cute. I’m glad you stumbled into the cottage.”

Jason crossed his arms. “And just why are you so happy to have us here? What are you planning?”

The cow raised an eyebrow. “What do you THINK I’m planning, smarty-pants?”

“You’re going to eat us, aren’t you?” Jason continued to glare. “That’s what witches love to do to micros!”

Melody had to do her best not to roll her eyes. Cows were herbivores; they didn't normally digest meat. Then again, he did emphasize her being a witch. And Melody DID want to try to practice being a witch… eventually she couldn't help but give an exaggerated evil grin.

"Oh, dear." She said wickedly. "You have uncovered my sinister scheme. But yes, I did plan on gobbling up you little sweet treats!"

Both mice jumped in fright, and Melody stood up tall. She put her hands at her sides, tilted her head back, and…

“…Ha.” She said awkwardly. “Ha HA Ha…. Ha... Ha.”

There was a silence in the air. Simon and Jason exchanged confused glances, while Melody felt her face flushing red.

“Uhh…” Simon blinked. “What was that?”

“It was… uhhh…” She looked forward again and adjusted her glasses. “My… My cackle. My big evil laugh. Haven’t you heard a witch’s cackle before?

“Not one that sounded like… that.” Jason shook his head. “I… I’m beginning to think you’re not really a witch.”

"I am too a witch." Melody pouted and crossed her arms. "Don't you see this hat and this dress? And what about my wand?" She picked it back up and waved it around. "I have half a mind to turn you into a toad for being so rude!"

“A toad?” Simon asked curiously. “That would be pretty neat to see.”

“Simon, shush.” Jason snapped. “Don’t encourage her!”

“Uhh… I’ll definitely turn you into a toad!” Melody declared. She waved her wand in the air above the mouse’s head. “Alaca… uhh… abra… Become a little hopping boy!”

There was a flash of light and a burst of smoke. And when the smoke finally cleared… a rabbit was sitting beside Simon. The rabbit wiggled its little nose, shook its ears, and hopped right off the table and onto the floor. Melody blinked in surprise as she watched Jason the rabbit hippity-hopping all over the place.

"That's… that's not a toad," Simon said, sounding genuinely disappointed.

“Uhh…” Melody’s ears drooped. She waved the wand a few more times and said some more magic words. In a cloud of smoke, the rabbit turned into a kangaroo. With another cloud, the kangaroo became a trotting deer. With a poof, the deer was a wallaby. Then it was a cricket. Then a frog. Then, finally, a mouse.

Jason stumbled in place on the floor; he held his head and tried not to barf. When he wasn’t dizzy anymore, he glared up at the cow.

“You’re the worst witch I’ve ever met.”

Melody's ear twitched; once again she felt like she was blushing. But she put on a glare, and (gently) snatched Simon up in her hand.

"Aaah!" Simon yelled as he flailed his limbs around.

“You… You’ve made me very angry, you naughty mice.” Melody tried to put on an intimidating voice. “And for that, I’ll just have you for lunch right now!”

Melody lifted Simon over her head as Jason gasped. Simon clasped his hands together and started begging.

“Please don’t eat me! I don’t taste good!”

Melody lowered the mouse down to her parted jaws. Her tongue lifted to lick his fur…

And immediately she gagged.

The cow put the mouse down on the table and grasped her tongue to wipe it down. He was definitely telling the truth; the scent of musty fur and mud was overpowering. She stumbled over to the sink and nearly heaved as she watched her mouth out. Soon, she was leaning over the sink and panting heavily.

"You… Uh…" She coughed as she covered her face with her hat. "You're lucky that… uh… you need a shower."

Jason stepped a bit closer to the cow and glared up at her. “You really are… the WORST! Just the worst!”

Melody frowned again. She looked between Simon and Jason; the former was shivering on the table, while the latter was trying to kick her hooved feet. The cow just sighed; this was getting worse and worse by the minute.

“Okay… maybe we could all try this from the beginning?” Melody carefully crouched down to get a better look at Jason. “I’m sorry for scaring the both of you. See, the truth is-“

“Ee-Heheheheheheheheheheheeee!”

Melody, Jason, and Simon all gasped in fright. The first thing the cow thought to do was snatch both of the mice up in her hands. She quickly stuffed them in the pockets of her dress as she looked out the window; her grandmother was descending from the sky. Jason and Simon shook wildly in the cow's pocket as she put a hand in there to try and cover them. She felt a few little bites, but she ignored them as she turned toward the back door and put on a smile.

The door magically unlocked, and Winifred strode inside atop her broom. She had a bag of various groceries dangling from the handle, and she hopped right off with a kick in her heels.

"Hey there, sweetie," Winifred said with a smile. "I'm back!"

“W-Welcome back, Grandma Winnie.” Melody put on an awkward smile. “I… wasn’t expecting you to be back so soon.”

“All I had to do was pick up my groceries and check the PO box.” The elderly cow gave a sly smile. “it was all over and done with in a flash, thanks to my gold ol’ broom!”

“Well, that’s… great.” The younger cow chuckled a bit. “Do you need help putting the groceries away?”

“Not at all, Melody.” The witch pulled out a magic wand and began swaying it around in the air. “I’ve got it all under control. And a one, and a two…”

Winifred began whistling, and the items in her bag shuffled around. They floated up into the air, bobbing back and forth in time to the tempo of Winifred’s song. Melody nodded her head back and forth with a smile… as she slowly backed up toward the other side of the kitchen.

“Hmm?” Winifred raised her eyebrow. “What’s gotten into you, dearie?”

“Nothing, Grandma.” Melody shook her head. “I’m just… going to go upstairs and think of something to do until the rain stops.”

“Suit yourself.” The elderly cow replied. “Just make sure you get back down here by noon, okay? I’ll have lunch prepared by then.”

“Sure thing, Grandma Winnie!” Melody shook her tail from side to side as she backed out of the kitchen. She turned a corner, went up a staircase… and winced as the two mice continued to bite her fingers in her pocket.

Once she was sure she was out of her grandmother's earshot, Melody took a deep breath. She had no idea what she should do. The two boys in her pocket were no doubt scared and trying to get away, but Melody didn't want her grandmother to find out about her. She wasn't sure what kind of an appetite a witch had for micros, and she didn't want to find out for herself.

Melody placed a hand over the pocket and felt the mice struggling. She'd need to figure something out to calm them down… and keep them hidden from her grandmother.