The Girl with the Green-Tinted Hair: A Miraculous Fable

by Gavin Whyte

There is a season for everything.

If you enjoyed Antoine de Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince, then you'll love this.

Described as, "a masterpiece", "a hidden gem", and "one of the best yet", The Girl with the Green-Tinted Hair is a spiritual fable about personal growth and about seeing how truly magical life is.

When a boy finds a girl singing and dancing under his favourite tree he didn't realise he had been chosen to be the one-off witness to something out of this world. The boy is shown how to live in joy and is reminded of how to pursue his life's calling. His fear of ageing is overcome and dying is no longer what it seems - all because of the girl with the green-tinted hair.

In this truly comforting tale of wonder and intrigue, which has been called a "hidden gem", we discover for ourselves how to live in harmony with that which is forever flowing; that which we call life.

When you sign up to my readers' group, you'll receive a free copy of the wonderful little tale, The Sun and the Moon. Simply visit my Facebook Author page at, facebook.com/gavinwhyteauthor and click "Sign Up".

You can find me on Twitter at: @Gavinwhyte888

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Short Stories, Fables, Childrens

80 pages, ebook

First published March 22, 2013

About the author

Gavin Whyte is a writer from the UK.

He is the author of The Girl with the Green-Tinted Hair, Happiness & Honey, Waiting for Wings, and My Grandad's Hiding Place, a children's picture book on grief.

Visit his Facebook Author Page at: facebook.com/gavinwhyteauthor
Follow him on Twitter: @Gavinwhyte888

Reviews

[Kira Simion · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting little gem that I snatched for free.

The philosophies of life and the way you choose to live it are things that we take for granted. Sometimes we make choices that define us, but they don't and can't
change us without our say. People pass by us day by day, year by year, and even though we may never see them again, we are self conscious about the choices we make.

The point I'm trying to make is that many of us are self consciously making decisions are will affect our future and letting them impact us because of how others feel.

You should live to do the things you love, no matter how cliché that sounds.

4/5 stars.

[Kenchiin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very entertaining and heartwarming.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Many people look but they do not see. Look with fresh eyes. Look as if you're going to be blind in a minute's time."

This was a delightful modern fable that I had for free. It was a surprisingly poignant and thought provoking read.
The story centres on a boy and a girl and the changes that they go through in their world. Metaphor lovers will love this book!
Certain stories hold the power to transport you to a magical land, this book, although rather short, did just that.

[Manisha Malik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review

The story told do much in less pages. Loved the way writer portrayed nature and life. It felt refreshing to observe it from a different perspective.

[Gisela Hausmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Girl with the Green-Tinted Hair: A Miraculous Fable" is a modern fable, even for people, who love Steve Jobs' quote, " Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by..."

Whye introduces his protagonist only as "the boy," thereby giving the reader the opportunity to see himself/herself in "the boy."

The boy has no friends (he feels the that the friends he had have gone from his life) but he is looking for answers. I lieu of great friends who could help he asks a tree, always hoping that one day the tree will give answers as deep as its roots.

"... The boy would ask the tree for advice but never receive it. We could say that just being heard made all the difference to him, because not a week went by when he didn't pay the tree a visit. But today he longed for a friend to return his gaze, to overcome the loneliness he now felt so strongly. What the boy wasn't aware of was that he had been heard and help was on its way, but it wasn't in the form he was expecting..."

The tree "sends" the boy four females who change with the seasons.

I loved the analogy, it's clever, beautiful, and remarkably poetic. The boy is allowed to spend the most time with the Spring-girl and the least with Winter's old woman, which again is a beautiful metaphor.

Whyte gives the four females room to put their spin of wisdom on life. The language is poetic and beautiful. This is only a short story/fable, but out in the right hands it can make a huge impact.

"...
'I'm celebrating!' said the girl, with such enthusiasm that the boy couldn't help but grin. 'What are you celebrating?' he asked. 'This!' she shouted, throwing her arms up in the air, whilst jumping and spinning around a full 360 °. Her face beamed with joy.
'You've never seen it before,' she said, looking back at the boy, 'yet this is the last time you will ever see it because it's constantly changing.'
,,,"

Highly recommended. Gavin Whyte penned a master piece.

Gisela Hausmann, author & blogger

[Lili · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story kept me up at night lying in my bed. Gavin Whyte has answered questions that I have pondered about. I don't want to spoil the story, but if you read it, you will realize how this book is a real eye opener to questions that you may or may not have thought of before. I would recommend this book to everyone, nomatter what age you are. The only flaw in this story is that it is so short. I happened to finish it in a matter of a few hours, if that.

[Eva Pleska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Gavin for this little treasure. Read it twice now. Still as good as first time. Xx

[Komal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writer has wonderfully described the philosophy of 'the circle of life' through the character of a boy who is inquisitive and wants to find the answers of questions that trouble him. To satisfy his curiosity, there is this girl with the green-tinted hair, who appears everytime he has a question.

As a reader, I felt that the boy represented 'us' - as humans/humanity, facing the realities of life, sometimes making us wonder, sometimes making us depress and sometimes resulting in joy. All the emotions as well as our thinking faculties, always turn into unanswered questions about the enigmas of life, death and beyond. The writer creates a sur-real world and takes the reader along on this journey of wisdom.

The author has carved the character of this girl, who suddenly comes, like a super-natural being or maybe an angel, or in loose terms, hinting us towards the omnipresent, who leads and guides this boy along the path of life, enriching his experience of life with her concepts on how to live life fully.

This is an uplifting short story which has apparent meaning as well as more deeper philosophical level. Since I love books that delve into the topics of spirituality, I really loved every word of this book. A hidden gem! Highly recommended!

[Claudia L. R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Realmente no puedo convencerme de dar una reseña justa en Goodreads, creo que puede ser el comienzo de algo nuevo para mi blog oficial literario. 5 estrellas son insuficientes, más cuando algo no es 2 ni 3. diré que es un tres. Pero ese libro tiene demasiados problemas para estar a la misma altura de otras obras como El Grupo Domak. Un 2.5 es más acertado. Pero lo más acertado de todo será mi próximo proyecto.

Ahora al punto. ¿Recomiendo este libro? Bueno, quizás, si es lo primero que lees en inglés.

[Gaurav Prabhu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a beautiful concept. Just loved how the author imparted some sound life advice. I was more impressed reading the author's after-thoughts on how he stumbled upon this idea for the book. This is a really short and sweet book with few but really amazing takeaways. Must read.

[Renee Babcock · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet philosophical treatise on life disguised as a fable about a lonely young boy who meets a girl with green-tinted hair.

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple beautiful and a must read

Stories have the power to take you to a magical land. This story is simply magic and beautiful. It elevated my mood and thoughts. I have been looking for this kind of stories and I am glad that I found it. A must read...

[K.J. Chapman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. The messages and life lessons the boy learns are important, but this was a non-story in regards to narrative. Yes, I suppose the narrative is the passing of time, growth, and learning, but that was it. Simply put, not my cup of tea. I also didn’t like the narrators voice. The fable vibe was strong, and I have a preference for updating and modernising such types of tales. Younger people may have a totally different view of this book than me.

I cannot fault the writing. The author has a clear, easy to read style.

I have read differing reviews. It’s clear that age and genre preference play a huge factor. I reckon this is a ‘marmite’ kind of story.

[Felicia Adrianna Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touching yet teachable

5 star rater.This book shows the views of a young boy and a girl (with the green blonde tinted hair) as the weather changes she ages and also teaches the boy the beauty of everything .She taught him the most valuable lessons needed to get through life ' faith and trust ' when everyone saw a simple tree he sees a pavilion dressed on the former of green oceans .She only didn't teach him to encourage himself , but to see the beauty in everything and to appreciate it !!
The author had outdone himself ! Great job Mr. Gavin .

[Earl Goodson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delicious short read centered around Life perspectives. That of a young boy, and that of a mysterious female. Both of whom evolve over the course of the ride. What's best about this book is how quickly it speaks to one's heart, and strokes a certain understanding that has you eagerly turning the next page. It concludes quite well and leaves the reader satisfied but looking for another sample of Gavin Whyte's work. An excellent book; highly recommended!

[Greta Todorova · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hadn't come by something so well written in a long time. The use of language is amazing, and a lot of new literature lacks such smart play with words to convey a message.

Makes you think, and allows you to interpret it however you like, without being incredibly though and hard to digest.

It was a very quick read, but certainly one of the most enjoyable I have had in a while. It definitely deserves its 5 stars! I am looking forward to reading more of this kind of writing!

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was ok. The language was was too simplistic for me. Despite liking the story, I fell asleep almost immediately after picking this up every night because the writing itself wasn't captivating enough.

[Dny Vissers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty story

This is a ONE hour story, super interesting

[living_stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

cutie pie

[Cherrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I was sent this for free in exchange for an honest review*

This was a sweet short little story

[Mishika · Rating 4 out of 5]

'I will take your hand, To guide you all the way.
I will take your hand, When you're being lead astray.
I will take your hand, When it's time to go home,
Just to let you know, You were never alone.'

Simple and fulfilling.
There's not much one can say about such books.

[Echo Bristol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it.

I love this book because it Chang me from my old self above the others things that you too so I felt she was me

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a sucker for fun titles. Or cool covers. I felt like this had both. It was also short, so it didn't require a huge time commitment from me. I loved how the boy found everything he needed at the very tree where he sought it. It was a simple joy that was profound

[Elizabeth Sudela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad but peaceful,.

This book has fit into my dreams. Its strange the older I get the more I reflect on my journey through life. This book is beautifully written and gave my dreams words.

[Alicia Francois · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is so captivating

Love it The thrill you get while reading it paints such a picture in the readers mind I felt as if I were flake floating
As the story ended I carried the leaf with me also.

[frkvinter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and thoughtful story. Even though it was so short I cried a bit in the end

[Beth Rodgers · Rating 4 out of 5]

'The Girl with the Green-Tinted Hair: A Miraculous Fable' by Gavin Whyte is an interesting tale. Those who love metaphors will find special meaning in the story. The narration revolves around a boy and girl and the overarching changes that make up their world. There is also a focus on how time can, almost certainly, heal all wounds, even if those wounds are figurative, in the sense of being uncertain how to cope with changes that one may not be ready for.

Even though the boy remains a seemingly static character, his changes throughout the story are merely more subtle than those of the girl. She undergoes an aging process, and on top of this, she ages much more quickly than the average person. The boy initially finds this off-putting, but through conversations with the girl and a sense of intimacy that they develop with one another, he comes to understand that her changes are not quite as drastic as they might seem, and he himself is undergoing them in his own way – the changes are just not nearly as noticeable to the naked eye.

Yet that is what the girl tries to impress upon the boy – that the naked eye should be used to explore the world around them and all that life offers, from the weather, to the stark contrast between merely living life and finding depth, emotion, and love for oneself, others, and everything else that is around.

This was an extremely quick read, and even though I wish there had been some more clarity regarding some of the metaphors the girl was expressing to the boy, I understand why it was not provided. Metaphors are subjective in nature, and so everyone who reads this tale must take from it what they can, without the author guiding the focus that every reader should have. Lessons garnered from this story provide potential for seeing life in a new way, and discerning how colors – from green to red to brown and on through the spectrum – along with the seasons, can shape these new understandings.

Beth Rodgers, Author of 'Freshman Fourteen,' A Young Adult Novel

[Rychele · Rating 4 out of 5]

A modern fable with a timeless message

This short novel, with a distinct fable flavor, was a surprisingly thought-provoking read.

The author introduces us to two characters: an inquisitive adolescent, and the personification of change. We follow them as they experience and appreciate the different seasons and contemplate various philosophical queries. It all centers around the inevitability of change and growth, and the possibility of dreams.

It's a wonderful little tale that's big on meaning, with more than a few passages and phrases worthy of your highlighter.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timing

Most readers understand that picking out a book is a very important task. It's quite like making travel plans. You choose with a type of destination in mind because you seek something specific and ,usually, quite different than your normal surroundings. This book proves that sometimes you're lucky enough to have the story pick you. I can't imagine the multitude of meanings this could have for people but it was just what I needed.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book I read is The Girl With The Green Tinted Hair by Gavin Whyte. This book is fictional and is set at a tree at the top of a hill. The main characters are the boy and the girl with the green tinted hair. This book tells you about how everything is constantly changing. I rated this book five stars because it really spoke to me.