The Dead Man's Curse
By Abigail
Inspiration taken from Gabriel Garcia Marquez's The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World
Inspiration taken from Gabriel Garcia Marquez's The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World
A long way off, in a distant land lay a mystical island that seemed perfect in every way, as well as the lives of the people that lived there. The Island of Reves, which means “dreams” smelled like the ocean, but in a good way. There was the gentle salt breeze whisping softly across the land. No smell of decaying seaweed and seashells could be caught by the nostrils. The palm trees of various kinds swayed gently in the breeze and rainless rainbows hung in the sky everywhere you glanced. The birds were fluttering excitedly overhead at the thought of a new day and the waves lashed smoothly against the shore. Although there is bleached white sand everywhere, it doesn’t stick to you and cling to your clothes. It is simply soft and beautiful.
On this gorgeous island lived a man named Sven. He was an odd man, yet well beloved by all the inhabitants. His features were not to be desired as he had an enormous bulbous nose with wiry hair sticking out, large bushy eyebrows, and more of a uni-brow than two that well-framed his eyes. His ears were over sized and didn’t quite fit his head. He was tall, but not lanky in the least; a rather large cumbersome, dopey character with a slight hunch in his back.Because of his enormous size, all the structures in his town were made to accommodate him.Every house had extra-large doors, higher than normal ceilings, reinforced floors, and at least a chair or couch large and strong enough to hold their kind friend when he visited. Kind at heart and not inhibited by his looks, he loved his townspeople and always stepped out of the way to help others. Sven always had a song in his heart and was joyful and happy.
Even though Sven was quite clumsy on land, he was quite excellent at surfing. One morning he arose early to catch a good surf and was enjoying himself quite immensely when suddenly he was approached by an even odder character than he. A seagull landed on the end of his surfboard and enticed him to go in toward shore by speaking, “Come quickly to shore. A gift I have for you.” Surprised and taken aback that the seagull was actually talking to him, and unable to respond, he followed the orders and headed to shore. Once Sven’s footing was solidly on land, the seagull became a tall mysterious man with a large cape that covered his head and obstructed his true looks from being identified. As Sven stood with his mouth gaping open at the oddities of this transaction, the man introduced himself. “I am Kildor, the shape-shifter, who has come to offer you a change in life. I tell you that as sure as you are standing here now, by the morning you will awaken to a new appearance…. a handsome appearance.”Without any further explanation, Kildor vanishes. As Sven is left standing alone he wonders to himself, “Is this a blessing or a curse?”
The next morning, as the sun’s rays slowly broke above the horizon and gleamed into Sven’s window, he jumped out of bed and ran to the mirror in anticipation. He was so astonished at the reflection in the mirror that he had to take a second look from which he could not turn away. His curly hair lay in soft whispers around his face and his bushy eyebrows were now tamed into two well defined brows framing his soft crystal blue eyes. Even though his body
was still large, it was no longer cumbersome and clumsy, but strapping, full of muscles with a brawn and straight stature. His previously large nose now fit the rest of his face and was absent the wiry hair. His ears, as well, were more normal a size and fit nicely at the sides of his head. Itfelt like the entire morning passed as he stood there staring at himself. The more he took in what he was seeing, the more pride crept into his soul.
Upon leaving his house, he encountered his neighbor who didn’t recognize him and wondered who this man was that was leaving Sven’s house. Sven didn’t give him the usual cheerful “Hello” as he did every morning. Instead, he brushed rudely passed him and said in arash voice, “Get out of my way!” Upon hearing the voice, the neighbor realized it was Sven, but couldn’t believe his appearance and was shocked at his attitude. He had to follow Sven in order to convince himself at what he was witnessing. As they made their way through town, he followed him to the local coffee shop. Here, the neighbor witnessed Sven again being rude and obnoxious. “Where’s the waiter”, Sven yelled. “Why am I kept waiting?” The shop owner was now alerted that this “newcomer” was not new at all, but was Sven. He too was shocked at the change in attitude and told him to lower his voice or leave the shop. Angered by this reaction,Sven stormed out of the shop without getting his coffee. Both the shop keeper and the neighbor decided they better follow him and spread the news of the “new” Sven.
As news spread about Sven and the curse he seemed to be under, there was mixed reaction of both pity and hatred. Many were saddened to have their beloved Sven act in such a manner. They couldn’t understand how he went through such a huge transformation nor why it affected his character in such a way. No longer did the townspeople desire to have him over for visits. No longer did Sven help around in the way he did before. He became angry that the townspeople didn’t think more highly of him now that he was so handsome and felt he was more deserving of better treatment. He retreated to his house the rest of the night where he ate his dinner, not knowing it would be his last, and went to bed, not knowing it would be a forever sleep. Appearing beside his bed, Kildor silently stood with an evil grimace on his face.Pride had changed Sven from a kind man into an arrogant one and he had fallen victim to the curse of a sleep like death. Exactly what Kildor had hoped would happen.
Several days passed and no one had seen Sven. Although everyone was relieved to not have been assaulted by his arrogance, they were also concerned. Cautiously approaching his house, they heard no sound inside and slowly opened the door. Being the middle of a beautiful sunny day, they thought for sure he was up and about. Seeing no signs of him in the main room, they glanced into the bedroom and were surprised to see his lifeless form still lying in bed. After checking him over carefully, they confirmed he was dead. Saddened by this current string of events, they concluded he must be put to rest.
Living on the island offered no way to bury their dead, so all deceased were given a funeral at sea. At sunset, Sven and a sea of flowers were placed on a ship and silently slipped into the ocean. The townspeople all gathered to watch as the ship holding their once beloved friend, floated silently off into the darkness. As the people walked back to their homes, the welcoming large door frames and overly sized chairs in their homes would always stand as a reminder of the once gentle kindhearted man they loved and leave them confused about what happened to their friend.
As the ship floated at sea, Sven “awoke” to find that he couldn’t move any part of his body, he couldn’t speak, and had no way to show anyone that he was not dead, but instead,trapped in this body. The ship encountered a terrible storm that tossed it wildly to and fro and struck it upon a reef just off shore of a strange island. Being torn to shreds by the wild waves,Sven felt fear creep in as he didn’t have any way to save himself. He became remorse for the way that he treated his beloved townspeople and now understood that his actions led him to this curse. The casket he was in served him well to float him toward shore until it broke upon the wake of the crashing waves and pushed his body, wrapped up in seaweed, upon the shore.As he lie there motionless, he wondered what was to become of him and how he could reverse the curse.
On this gorgeous island lived a man named Sven. He was an odd man, yet well beloved by all the inhabitants. His features were not to be desired as he had an enormous bulbous nose with wiry hair sticking out, large bushy eyebrows, and more of a uni-brow than two that well-framed his eyes. His ears were over sized and didn’t quite fit his head. He was tall, but not lanky in the least; a rather large cumbersome, dopey character with a slight hunch in his back.Because of his enormous size, all the structures in his town were made to accommodate him.Every house had extra-large doors, higher than normal ceilings, reinforced floors, and at least a chair or couch large and strong enough to hold their kind friend when he visited. Kind at heart and not inhibited by his looks, he loved his townspeople and always stepped out of the way to help others. Sven always had a song in his heart and was joyful and happy.
Even though Sven was quite clumsy on land, he was quite excellent at surfing. One morning he arose early to catch a good surf and was enjoying himself quite immensely when suddenly he was approached by an even odder character than he. A seagull landed on the end of his surfboard and enticed him to go in toward shore by speaking, “Come quickly to shore. A gift I have for you.” Surprised and taken aback that the seagull was actually talking to him, and unable to respond, he followed the orders and headed to shore. Once Sven’s footing was solidly on land, the seagull became a tall mysterious man with a large cape that covered his head and obstructed his true looks from being identified. As Sven stood with his mouth gaping open at the oddities of this transaction, the man introduced himself. “I am Kildor, the shape-shifter, who has come to offer you a change in life. I tell you that as sure as you are standing here now, by the morning you will awaken to a new appearance…. a handsome appearance.”Without any further explanation, Kildor vanishes. As Sven is left standing alone he wonders to himself, “Is this a blessing or a curse?”
The next morning, as the sun’s rays slowly broke above the horizon and gleamed into Sven’s window, he jumped out of bed and ran to the mirror in anticipation. He was so astonished at the reflection in the mirror that he had to take a second look from which he could not turn away. His curly hair lay in soft whispers around his face and his bushy eyebrows were now tamed into two well defined brows framing his soft crystal blue eyes. Even though his body
was still large, it was no longer cumbersome and clumsy, but strapping, full of muscles with a brawn and straight stature. His previously large nose now fit the rest of his face and was absent the wiry hair. His ears, as well, were more normal a size and fit nicely at the sides of his head. Itfelt like the entire morning passed as he stood there staring at himself. The more he took in what he was seeing, the more pride crept into his soul.
Upon leaving his house, he encountered his neighbor who didn’t recognize him and wondered who this man was that was leaving Sven’s house. Sven didn’t give him the usual cheerful “Hello” as he did every morning. Instead, he brushed rudely passed him and said in arash voice, “Get out of my way!” Upon hearing the voice, the neighbor realized it was Sven, but couldn’t believe his appearance and was shocked at his attitude. He had to follow Sven in order to convince himself at what he was witnessing. As they made their way through town, he followed him to the local coffee shop. Here, the neighbor witnessed Sven again being rude and obnoxious. “Where’s the waiter”, Sven yelled. “Why am I kept waiting?” The shop owner was now alerted that this “newcomer” was not new at all, but was Sven. He too was shocked at the change in attitude and told him to lower his voice or leave the shop. Angered by this reaction,Sven stormed out of the shop without getting his coffee. Both the shop keeper and the neighbor decided they better follow him and spread the news of the “new” Sven.
As news spread about Sven and the curse he seemed to be under, there was mixed reaction of both pity and hatred. Many were saddened to have their beloved Sven act in such a manner. They couldn’t understand how he went through such a huge transformation nor why it affected his character in such a way. No longer did the townspeople desire to have him over for visits. No longer did Sven help around in the way he did before. He became angry that the townspeople didn’t think more highly of him now that he was so handsome and felt he was more deserving of better treatment. He retreated to his house the rest of the night where he ate his dinner, not knowing it would be his last, and went to bed, not knowing it would be a forever sleep. Appearing beside his bed, Kildor silently stood with an evil grimace on his face.Pride had changed Sven from a kind man into an arrogant one and he had fallen victim to the curse of a sleep like death. Exactly what Kildor had hoped would happen.
Several days passed and no one had seen Sven. Although everyone was relieved to not have been assaulted by his arrogance, they were also concerned. Cautiously approaching his house, they heard no sound inside and slowly opened the door. Being the middle of a beautiful sunny day, they thought for sure he was up and about. Seeing no signs of him in the main room, they glanced into the bedroom and were surprised to see his lifeless form still lying in bed. After checking him over carefully, they confirmed he was dead. Saddened by this current string of events, they concluded he must be put to rest.
Living on the island offered no way to bury their dead, so all deceased were given a funeral at sea. At sunset, Sven and a sea of flowers were placed on a ship and silently slipped into the ocean. The townspeople all gathered to watch as the ship holding their once beloved friend, floated silently off into the darkness. As the people walked back to their homes, the welcoming large door frames and overly sized chairs in their homes would always stand as a reminder of the once gentle kindhearted man they loved and leave them confused about what happened to their friend.
As the ship floated at sea, Sven “awoke” to find that he couldn’t move any part of his body, he couldn’t speak, and had no way to show anyone that he was not dead, but instead,trapped in this body. The ship encountered a terrible storm that tossed it wildly to and fro and struck it upon a reef just off shore of a strange island. Being torn to shreds by the wild waves,Sven felt fear creep in as he didn’t have any way to save himself. He became remorse for the way that he treated his beloved townspeople and now understood that his actions led him to this curse. The casket he was in served him well to float him toward shore until it broke upon the wake of the crashing waves and pushed his body, wrapped up in seaweed, upon the shore.As he lie there motionless, he wondered what was to become of him and how he could reverse the curse.