Zilphia and the Collector of Broken Things | Episode 5 of the Zilphia Series

Not every child who enters our children's lives will have the same influence on their journey. Some friendships encourage confidence, kindness, and growth. Others may leave us wondering what lies beneath the surface. As children learn to navigate relationships, they also begin learning valuable lessons about trust, character, and listening to the quiet feelings that tell them when something doesn't seem quite right.

As Zilphia settles into her new friendship, strange questions begin to emerge. What first seemed like a simple connection may be tied to something much larger than she realizes—and the answers could lead her deeper into the mystery surrounding Glimmerwood Forest.

The damp cave was quiet except for the echoing drip, drip of water in the distance. Loose gravel mixed with slick mud covered the ground. A warm fire crackled softly as orange sparks drifted upward and disappeared into the darkness overhead. Eron sat beside Zilphia, poking at the flames with a stick while the adults spoke nearby.

Zilphia couldn't stop thinking about the feather. A crow had brought one to her, and a crow had also brought one to Eron. Both had notes that said the same thing: I'll be back. The words made her stomach twist into a knot.

"You look like someone just told you mushrooms are vegetables," said a voice.

Zilphia jumped. A strange creature stood nearby holding a basket filled with brightly painted stones. He was about Eron's age, although he was much smaller. His dry, leathery skin was dull, and his ears were uneven; one pointed upward and the other drooped to the side.

"My name is Kyron." The creature grinned.

Zilphia blinked. "I'm Zilphia. That’s my little brother’s name too."

"I know."

"You do?"

"Yes… and I know you too. Everyone knows you. You're the fairy who arrived through the portal and almost fainted."

Eron laughed softly.

"I did not almost faint."

"You definitely almost fainted," said Kyron.

"I was surprised," insisted Zilphia.

"You screamed," smirked the creature.

"I did not."

Kyron turned to Eron. "Did she scream?"

"A little," he said slyly.

"I did not!"

Both trolls laughed. For the first time that evening, Zilphia smiled. Kyron sat cross-legged on the ground and dumped the contents of his basket beside him. Painted stones rolled everywhere. Some had smiling faces. Some had stars. One had a mustache. Zilphia picked it up and looked at it curiously.

"Why does this stone have a mustache?"

Kyron looked offended. "Because every collection needs a distinguished gentleman."

Eron burst out laughing. "You are so weird, Kyron."

"Thank you," he said taking a clumsy bow.

"That wasn't a compliment."

"It was to me."

Zilphia giggled. Kyron smiled and began arranging the stones into neat rows.

"Do you always paint rocks?"

"No," said Kyron.

"Well, what else do you do?"

Kyron's eyes began to gleam, and the corners of his mouth curled up. "Oh, lots of things,” he whispered cunningly.

Eron looked up. “Oh no.” The answer and mischievous smile on Kyron’s face immediately worried him.

"Oh yes," said Kyron. His smile grew bigger.

He grabbed another basket and pulled out a collection of odd objects. Bent spoons. Broken gears. Pieces of mirrors. Twisted wire. Even a cracked lantern handle.

Zilphia stared. "Why do you have all of that?"

"Because people throw away perfectly wonderful things."

"Wonderful?"

"Absolutely."  Kyron held up a bent spoon. "This could become a fishing tool." Then he held up a gear. "This could become a clock." Finally, he held up a cracked piece of mirror. "This could become... something." His cheeks blushed slightly as he scratched his head.

Eron crossed his arms. "You never know what any of it becomes."

Kyron looked over some rusted eyeglass frames at Eron and said, "That is because creativity requires patience."

"You built a machine that launched turnips."

"It worked, didn’t it?" Kyron snapped folding away the glasses.

"It exploded."

"Only once."

Zilphia laughed so hard she nearly fell over. The strange knot of fear in her stomach loosened. For the first time since arriving in Troll Land, she wasn't thinking about crows or feathers. She was simply enjoying herself.

A loud voice echoed from across the cave. "KYRON!"

Several trolls began laughing. Kyron sighed dramatically.

"What did you do now?" asked Eron.

"Nothing."

"That means you definitely did something."

Kyron lowered his voice. "I accidentally painted the mayor's walking stick."

"You painted what?"

"It looked boring," chuckled the mischievous creature.

The trolls nearby laughed even harder. Kyron laughed too. He didn't seem embarrassed. He didn't seem upset. He simply laughed along with them.

Zilphia watched him carefully. "Doesn't that bother you?"

"What?"

"When people laugh," she said shyly.

"Why would it?" shrugged Kyron. "Do they make fun of you?"

"Sometimes." Zilphia frowned.

Kyron picked up one of his painted stones and rolled it between his fingers. "Everyone is different."

He pointed at Eron. "Eron is stronger than everyone."

He pointed at himself. "I'm weird."

Eron nodded. "You’re very weird."

Kyron ignored him and looked at Zilphia. "And you… you're hiding something."

Zilphia froze. The cave suddenly felt much quieter.

"What do you mean?"

Kyron shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know." He smiled gently. "But people usually hide things when they're afraid others won't understand."

Zilphia looked away. The words hit much closer to home than she wanted. She thought about school. She thought about the crow. She thought about all the things she never told anyone. For a moment, nobody spoke. Then Kyron stood.

"I have one more thing to show you."

He disappeared behind a pile of supplies and returned carrying a small wooden box. Inside were dozens of broken objects. A cracked marble. A bent coin. A chipped piece of crystal. And a torn ribbon.

"They're all broken," said Zilphia.

Kyron nodded. "That's why I keep them."

"Why?" she asked.

"Because everyone else gave up on them."

The cave grew quiet again. For some reason, that answer made Zilphia’s chest feel warm.

"Besides, sometimes broken things become the most interesting." Kyron closed the box and winked at her.

The words stayed with her long after they sat down. The fire crackled, casting an orange glow on everyone sitting near it. Shadows danced around the glistening walls as the green moon shimmered through the cave entrance. For the first time in days, Zilphia felt calm.

Kyron suddenly leaned his head against her shoulder. "Can I ask you something?"

Zilphia nodded.

"Why do you hide your hair?"

She stared at the flames for a moment. The smile vanished from her face when she saw her reflection in a piece of the broken mirror. Zilphia slowly turned and looked at him with glossy, sad eyes… and didn't answer.

As new friendships begin to reshape her world, Zilphia must decide whether some secrets are worth keeping—or whether it's finally time to let them be seen.

— Written with care by W. L. Shaw, creator of Fanciful Tales