Notes

Lexi loved to go on walks in the woods near her home. She enjoyed the fresh air, the birdsong, and the flowers. She felt free and happy whenever she was in nature.

One day, as she was walking along a familiar path, she saw a strange woman sitting on a log. The woman had long black hair, a crooked nose, and a pointed hat. She was holding a basket of apples and smiled at Lexi.

"Hello, dearie," the woman said. "Would you like an apple? They are very sweet and juicy."

Lexi was a polite and friendly girl, so she stopped and said hello to the woman. She thought the woman looked harmless, and the apples looked tempting.

"Thank you, ma'am," Lexi said. "You are very kind."

She reached for an apple, but as soon as she touched it, she felt a sharp pain in her hand. She looked down and saw a needle sticking out of the apple. She gasped and dropped the apple, but it was too late. The needle had injected a sleeping potion into her blood.

She felt dizzy and weak, and before she could scream, she fell to the ground. The woman laughed wickedly and revealed her true identity. She was not a woman, but a witch. She had been looking for a young and pretty girl to be her maid and slave.

She picked up Lexi's limp body and threw it over her shoulder. She took her to her cottage in the deepest part of the woods, where no one could find them. She locked Lexi in a small and dirty room, where she kept her under a spell.

For two months, Lexi was forced to do all the chores for the witch. She had to cook, clean, wash, and iron. She had to fetch water, chop wood, and tend the garden. She had to endure the witch's insults, threats, and beatings. She had no rest, no joy, no hope.

She forgot her name, her family, her friends. She forgot who she was and why she was there. She became a shadow of herself, a broken doll.

But one day, something changed. A young man named Jake was passing by the woods, when he heard a faint voice singing. He followed the sound and came to the witch's cottage. He peeked through the window and saw Lexi. She was sweeping the floor, while humming a sad tune.

Jake was stunned by her beauty and her sorrow. He felt a surge of pity and love for her. He wanted to help her, to free her, to make her happy. He waited until the witch left the cottage, and then he sneaked in. He found Lexi in her room and gently woke her up.

"Who are you?" Lexi asked, confused and scared.

"I'm Jake," he said. "I'm here to save you. Come with me."

He took her hand and led her out of the cottage. He ran with her through the woods, until they reached a safe village. He took her to his home, where he gave her food, clothes, and a warm bed. He told her his name, and asked her hers.

"I'm Lexi," she said, remembering her name for the first time in months.

She looked at Jake and felt a spark of gratitude and affection. He smiled at her and felt a spark of admiration and attraction. They realized they had found each other, and they hugged.

The next day, Lexi contacted her family and friends, who had been looking for her and were overjoyed to see her. They threw a big party for her, to celebrate her return and her new love. Lexi invited Jake to the party, and thanked him for saving her. She gave him a kiss and an invitation to a delightful feast with all of her friends.

They lived happily ever after.