THE ENCHANTED CHOCOLATE
I thought it was just another day amidst the chaos of the week. From Monday with a bad mood, followed by exams on Tuesday and sports events on Wednesday, what a nightmare! So, when Friday finally arrived, all I wanted was to go home.
On the way, as usual, I stopped in front of the window of my favorite store: Magic and Dreams. Although it hadn't been open for long, it had already become my refuge. Its owner, an older and mysterious man, had always made me somewhat uneasy, but that day I decided to enter for the first time, not knowing that I was about to change my life.
The inside of the store was simply magical: toys seemed to have a life of their own, rabbits continuously sprang from a magician's hat, and upon seeing me, they began to dance. In the background, the soft sound of a piano playing a piece by Mozart enveloped me with its notes.
I remember a small box full of sweets with a note that warned: Whoever eats a candy will lose their head. I glanced at the owner, who was absorbed in his reading, and without a second thought, I took one and put it in my mouth. I closed my eyes and let myself be carried away by the melody.
When I opened them again, I found myself disoriented, with a strange sense of loss. I felt nervous and, barely, managed to leave the store. The owner looked at me with a malicious smile.
The cold air hit me as I left, I buttoned up my jacket and headed home, aware that my mother would be worried about me. As I crossed Plaza del Sol, people started screaming and running around me, without understanding what was happening.
Suddenly, a voice warned me to be careful, but it was too late. I stumbled over a trash can that exclaimed:
— I warned you. But, what are you doing without a head?
Confused, I saw myself reflected in a car window and panicked.
— My God, my head, my head! — I exclaimed.
The trash can reassured me and explained that the store owner got angry with those who ignored the warning note on the candies. I then remembered the note and knew what the solution was: I had to apologize to the owner to get my head back.
I thanked the trash can for its help and ran to the store. Upon arrival, I apologized to the owner, who accepted my apologies. With a snap of his fingers, a tin soldier appeared before me, carrying my head.
As Mozart's melody played again, I closed my eyes and, when I opened them, my head was back in its place, resting on my neck.