Daphne tiptoed through the darkness across a sleeping field of daisies. The silent stars sprinkled across the night sky saw what the flowers did not. The wood nymph danced with delight as she sped from her laurel abode, through the flowery field, and into a thick oak grove. She silently snuck between the dense trees of the forbidden forest. Tucked deep within the ancient trees she was told she would find a silver pond of happy endings. She skipped about in the darkness being careful not the touch the trees. Before long Daphne stumbled upon the source she was searching for. She saw the faint glow between two trees and slowed her pace as she reached the edge of the pool. Daphne gasped in wonder as she stepped in front of the final trees.
The silver water glowed of its own accord. In the daytime, little sunlight could reach this tiny pool due to the thick branches which grew from trees exceptionally close to the water; there was no chance of starlight illuminating the ground. Still, Daphne could clearly see the foreign formation of rocks piled at one end of the water and the frighteningly thick trees lit by the glow of the silver water. The curious nymph cautiously knelt by the water's edge to peer into the depths of the pool; instead she saw her own face reflected perfectly back to her. Too perfectly reflected back: every facial flaw was corrected in the reflection.
Daphne's eyes grew wide with delight; the legends must be true that the water created happy endings for those who drank it. She reached her hand longingly to the water and softly caressed the silky surface. It was a strange water, indeed, and it reacted slowly to her dainty touch, sending smooth ripples across the pond. As her fingers continued to lazily stir the water, she wondered what happy ending she would wish for.
Endless possibilities of momentary improvements rushed through her head. She could be the most beautiful nymph ever; she could have the world at her command; she could forever avoid the hurtful comments of her family. Her thoughts increasingly turned to manipulation of the people in her life. All her relational problems could be solved with a sip of this silver liquid. Daphne released a long, contented sigh as she stood. There were too many happy beginnings running through her head. Until tonight she hadn't been sure that there was an actual pool of shining silver water that would fulfill her wildest dreams. (More precisely the pool promised to provide a happy ending.) With her mind lost in wonder at the happy ending she would wish into existence, Daphne left the forbidden forest to ponder what the most poetic end could be.
Birds chirped, bees buzzed, and nymphs danced across the sunny glade as Daphne awoke the next morning. She yawned and stretched and lazily strolled to see what everyone was up to. She could hardly be offended that they excluded her this morning; she'd never be lonely again. Daphne stood off to the side as her family and friends busied themselves with preparations for some sort of a feast. There was no point in asking what was going on; she hadn't been invited.
"Hey, Daph," a friendly voice interrupted her pity party, "Want to come join us?"
"Corbin, have you ever heard of a pond of silver water that gives happy endings to those who drink it?"
Corbin laughed, "Daph, that stuff's just poison."
"What?"
"That's why it's hidden in a forbidden forest. Haven't you heard the whole story? The pool provides happy endings. People die peacefully when the drink it. You can't really expect to receive a happy ending before the end of your life. You have to put pain into life to discover a happy ending. Don't go looking for that silly pool, Daph; it's a waste of time. If you want a happy ending eventually, look no further than this sometimes happy life."
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