Daisy Meadows - Amelia Sparklepaw’s Party Problem

“On my way!” Hermia said in her tinkling voice, and flew off.

The four friends followed Gobbler, trying to slow him down with snacks of cones and leaves.

As they neared the Treasure Tree, Jess froze. “Oh, no! Look!”

A familiar yellow-green orb was floating toward them. It burst into sparks, revealing Grizelda with a wide grin on her bony face.

“My plan’s working,” she cackled. “Eat up, Gobbler!”

Goldie and Amelia began frantically searching for tasty things to tempt Gobbler away from the Treasure Tree. Jess whispered to Lily, “Gather up leaves and twigs for when Mr. Cleverfeather arrives.”

Just then, they heard a soft hoot, and Mr. Cleverfeather appeared overhead, wearing a harness with whirring blades fixed to the back.

“He’s turned himself into a helicopter!” said Jess.

Lily nodded. “And he’s brought the blender with him!”

“I asked him to get it from Goldie’s grotto,” explained Jess. “I just hope my idea works...”

Mr. Cleverfeather dropped the blender into her arms. Then he flew around Gobbler’s head, hooting. “Treave our lee alone!” he cried. “I mean, leave... Oh, you know what I mean!”

Jess stuffed the violets into the blender, and Lily added twigs and leaves. They blended them into a purple liquid, which trickled into the mug on the side of the blender.

Lily glanced over. Grizelda wasn’t watching Gobbler—she was meanly picking fruit off the tree and squashing it under her high-heeled shoes. “Now!” Lily whispered.

“Here, Gobbler!” Jess called. “I’ve got a delicious drink for you!”

The great furry creature bent his massive head down toward them and sniffed. “EEEEEEEEP,” he thundered, so loudly the girls flinched, and opened his mouth.

Jess poured the drink inside.

“SLUUURP,” went Gobbler. “SLUUUUUUUUURP!”

Instantly Gobbler started to change. He looked surprised as he shrank as quickly as a popped balloon. “EEEEEEP!” he squeaked.

The witch turned, staring in disbelief. “Nooooo!” she screeched, stamping her feet angrily.

Gobbler got smaller and smaller, until he was his normal size—even tinier than little Amelia. He sat under a fir tree, crunching cones and squeaking happily.

“He’ll never eat the forest now, Grizelda!” said Jess.

The witch loomed over the girls. “You’ve won this time!” she shrieked, “but mark my words. Friendship Forest will be mine. One day!” she screamed, shaking her fists. With a snap of her fingers she disappeared in a shower of sparks.

“Eeeeep!” Gobbler said, rolling over to show off his fluffy, round tummy.

“I think he’s full at last,” said Amelia with a laugh.

The girls and their friends joined hands and paws in a dance of joy.

When Lily, Jess, Goldie, Amelia, and Gobbler reached Toadstool Glade, it was eerily silent. Usually animals were bustling around, or sitting outside the café, but today there was no one in sight.

“What’s wrong?” said Goldie.

Suddenly, animals everywhere burst out of hiding, shouting, “Surprise!”

Lucy Longwhiskers ran over. “Mr. Cleverfeather told us what you all did. There’s a birthday tea waiting at the Toadstool Café, to make up for Goldie’s party being ruined!”

“And to celebrate defeating Grizelda!” said Mr. Longwhiskers.

Everyone rushed over as quickly as they could. There were cheese-and-walnut grilled cheeses, honey biscuits, and Dreamy Creamy Ice Cream in lots of flavors.

Gobbler’s appetite was back. He waved his tail as he ate a bowl of ice cream.

“He’s sweet, isn’t he?” Jess said.

“What will happen to him?” Lily asked.

“Mom says he can live with us!” said Amelia, stroking Gobbler’s fluffy head. “His job will be to eat all the weeds in Garland Green.”

The girls felt happy that Gobbler had someone to care for him. They hugged Amelia and stroked her soft fur.

“We have to go home now,” Jess said. “But we’ll come and visit you and Gobbler as soon as we can.”

“I’ll miss you,” Amelia said. “We had a scary adventure, but it was fun, too.”

When everyone had said good-bye, Goldie took the girls to the Friendship Tree. “Thank you for rescuing me and for saving our forest,” she said. “I’ll never forget my exciting birthday!”

Goldie touched a paw to the tree trunk and the door appeared.

The girls stepped through the doorway into golden light. When the shimmering glow faded, they found themselves back in Brightley Meadow.

“What an amazing adventure,” said Lily, as they ran back to Helping Paw. “I’m glad Friendship Forest is safe.”

“Wasn’t it a great party?” said Jess.

Lily nodded. “It was,” she said, “but I didn’t have any ice cream. I wonder if Mom has some?” She giggled. “I feel like I could eat as much as Gobbler!”

The End