No one knew where she came from, or who the strange woman from out of town was. But in this town, no one cared. In a place where sickness and death were around every corner, where tombstones outnumbered the actual people, no one blinked an eye at a new unsuspecting soul to move in for a cheap place to stay. It’s not like she would stay for long. The baker on north street and the innkeeper already had a running bet over when she would hike up the skirt of her black dress, pack her only bag, and leave town for good.

But surprisingly, she didn’t run at the sight of the run-down town. She didn’t complain of the smell of death, blood and vomit. The strange lady rolled up her sleeves, and cleaned every corner of her small inn room. As the rumors spread, they said she cleaned the whole inn after two days! Such dedication from a stranger probably unused to such dirty work! Such pale skin, such silky black hair, and such soft but mature features. It was the kind of girl every women in town dreamed they once could be, and they were all touched and appalled by her endurance.

However, the strangers presence became more causal as time went on. As the townsfolk was now whispering of the mayor’s daughter becoming deathly ill. No one was surprised, but they were interested in the mayors claim of a reward if _anyone_ could heal his daughter. Mothers half-heartedly gave old herbal remedies, some farmers gave traditional—and kind of silly—ways to cure it. But no one truly came forward, because everyone knew the town’s curse. If you were sick, you were dead.

But that woman. That strange woman..

She rolled her sleeves up, knocked on the mayors door. Went to the child’s rooms, opened her little medical bag and pulled out numerous items that the people had never truly seen in this secluded town. The mayor and his wife watched in awe and the woman in the black dress cared for their daughter with tender hands. Untill she mixed a couple things in a bowl, and sprinkled in a bit of sugar from their jar…and fed it to the child.

And the house was erupted with cheers and laughter at night. As parents hugged their little girl with tears of joy. As once more she was bright and smiling, and faced a flush.

From then on, the woman was the most popular person in the village! For no longer did the people fear the knowing strain of a cough or headache, or have to accept their fate when their tempture was high. For with a few whipped-up medical concoctions and a bit of sugar, they were healed almost instantly. The houses seemed brighter, the children laughed louder, and the people would loudly cheer and wave when they see a familiar black umbrella and medicine bag.

But near the autumn time, it grew colder..the inn room was empty. And the people were frightened. For their strange lady was leaving?! But why?! She was doing so much good for their lonely town!

“Don’t go!” They pleaded, “we need you, we need your medicine! Your healing!”

The strange woman coolly turned to the begging people, saying calmly

“My dears, my medicine has brought your town to life. But it is the care and love that truely allowed it to thrive..I have shown you a way to live, to keep your children healthy and your bodies sound. And now I leave you with that knowledge.”

“For there is another family, one who needs healing a lot more than what medicine could give. And I should be going to take care of them. Have faith, my dears! I will return to you when the flowers bloom once more.”

With many tears, and heartfelt goodbyes, the townspeople gave up gifts for their nurse. Some large, some small, some much too big, but all was placed in that little medcine bag. And like all the miracles she preformed, it all fit like a glove.

They waved goodbye as the woman walked into the forest, opening her umbrella and holding her bag. Waving a proper goodbye as she called out.

“Now you all remember! It only takes a spoonful of sugar to make the medicine go down!”

And the wind picked up, and the the strange woman was gone..

But the people were content.

After all, Miss Poppins would be back…