There was once a boy who lived in a temple in the mountains. He was an apprentice to the priest of the temple. The boy was very naughty and loved to play pranks on everyone. He was forever troubling everyone, and the head priest was perpetually frustrated with him. When not playing tricks, the boy slept. He did not like to work at all.

One autumn day, the boy went to the priest and said, “The chestnut trees in the mountains have delicious chestnuts growing in them. Can I pick some to eat, master?”

The priest replied, “No. The mountain is not safe for you. Don’t you know a witch is living in the mountains who will eat you?”

The boy replied, “I do not think that is true, master. Still, I will come back quickly before it is dark. Please, can I go?

Realising it was futile to stop him, the priest said, “Fine. You can go. But be careful and don’t linger around. In any case, take these three paper charms with you. They will be of help if you end up in any trouble.”

The boy happily took the charms and went to the mountains. He began picking up the ripe chestnuts one by one and eventually lost track of time. Realising it was very dark, the boy got scared.

“What if the mountain witch comes and eats me,” he thought.

Suddenly, he heard a voice from behind me. Terrified, he turned around only to see a gentle-looking old lady standing in front of him.

“A-a-a-are y-y-y-you the mountain w-w-w-itch?” asked the Boy.

“No. I live in the mountain. Why are you, and what are you doing all alone in the dark?” asked the lady.

“I came to collect some chestnuts,” said the boy.

“Why don’t you come to my house? I will cook and give it to you,” replied the lady.

The boy went happily to the old lady’s house and ate a hearty meal. Then he slept off.

In the middle of the night, he woke to hear a strange voice. To his shock, he realised that the gentle-looking lady had transformed into a scary-looking mountain witch, sharpening a big knife and muttering to herself.

Hearing a sound, the witch turned to see the boy looking at her. “You looked scared, my boy. You should be. I am the mountain witch, and I am going to eat you.”

The boy was scared out of his wits and did not know what to do. To get some time to think, he said, “Can I go to the bathroom?”

The witch replied, “You can. But don’t even think to escape me.” She then tied a rope around the boy and held onto the other end.

In the bathroom, the boy was sweating with nerves, not knowing what to do. He started searching his pockets for something to help him when he saw the charms given to him.

Pulling one charm out he said, “Please answer the witch in my voice when she asks a question.”

Leaving the charm in the bathroom door and untying himself, the boy ran.

When the witch called, “Are you done yet, boy?” the first charm answered, “Not yet, a while longer.”

When the boy did not come out even after an hour, the witch got impatient pulled the rope only to find it empty.

Enraged, the Witch chased the boy.

Seeing the Witch closing in on him, the boy took out the second paper charm and said, “Please save me from the witch.”

The second charm immediately created a huge river. At first, it looked like the witch was swept away by the river’s current but the witch with her powers swallowed all the water. She continued chasing the Boy.

When again, she was close to catching the boy, the boy took out the last paper charm and said, “Please save me from the witch.”

The charm instantly created a huge mountain. But the witch climbed over the mountain quickly. Just as she almost caught the boy, the boy reached the temple.

Seeing the boy panting, the head priest asked him, “What is the matter? Why do you look so frightened.”

The boy said, “I am sorry for not listening to you. The mountain witch is after me wanting to eat me.”

“Go and hide, boy. I will take care of it,” said the priest.

When the witch came to the temple looking for the boy, she saw the Priest eating a rice cake.

“Where did the boy go?” she asked the priest.

The priest responded, “Which boy and who are you?”

The witch replied, “The boy who came in just now. I am the mountain witch. If you do not send the boy to me, I will have to go and fetch him myself.”

The priest answered, “Yes, you can. But first, tell me something. How can I believe you are the witch? Grow as tall as a mountain, and I will believe you.”

The witch immediately grew as tall as a mountain.

The priest then said, “Growing tall is not tricky. Can you become the size of a pea?”

“Of course, I can,” said the witch and shrunk in size.

The next instant, the Priest grabbed the witch, stuffed her inside his rice cake and ate her. That was the end of the witch.

From that day on, the boy learnt his lesson. He became extremely attentive and obedient and became the best apprentice ever in that temple.