Daisy Meadows - Poppy Muddlepup’s Daring Rescue

Lily explained that Grizelda’s smelly helpers, the Boggits, had taken Bella to a cavern beneath Toadstool Glade. When Lily, Jess, and Goldie had followed them, they had seen jewels in the roof.

“But Lily,” said Jess, “there wasn’t any water in the cavern. I don’t see how there could be any jewel water there.”

Poppy’s ears drooped again.

“But if there are jewels in the cavern under Toadstool Glade,” Lily said slowly, “maybe there are jewels somewhere around the glade itself, too. There are little streams all over the forest, aren’t there?”

“So maybe jewel water comes from a stream that has jewels lying inside it,” finished Jess, her eyes shining. “Yes, it’s worth a try. Let’s go!”

They hurried off toward Toadstool Glade, Poppy trotting beside them.

“We should move as quietly as possible,” Jess said as they drew near, “so we can listen for running water.”

She led the way along a narrow path. On either side, tall trees loomed over nut bushes and clumps of curly ferns.

“Stop!” Poppy whispered suddenly. “I heard a voice.” Her ears were pricked up, listening. “Someone’s singing.”

Lily and Jess cautiously rounded a large shrub and almost bumped into a girl about their age. She had a sweet, smiling face and wore a pink flowery dress and strappy pink sandals. She had long wavy red hair.

“Um, hello!” said Jess, shocked. She glanced at Lily. Goldie had told them that they were the only humans who visited Friendship Forest!

“Hello,” said the girl. “You look nice. And what a dear little doggie.” She bent to pat Poppy. “Oh, you cute little puppy!”

Poppy glanced up at Jess and Lily. She seemed unsure, so Jess said, “Don’t be shy.”

The puppy’s tail gave a small wag.

Lily asked the girl, “Excuse me, but—are you human? Like us? We didn’t think anyone else came here.”

“Mmm,” said the girl. “I live not far away.” She waved her arm vaguely. “I’m visiting the pretty forest, too.”

“I’m Jess, and this is Lily,” said Jess. “And this is Poppy Muddlepup, our friend. What’s your name?”

“Oh, um, my name’s... Gretchen,” said the girl. “Gretchen, that’s it.” She moved closer. “I couldn’t help overhearing you say you’re looking for jewel water.”

“Oh?” said Lily eagerly. “Do you know where some is?”

“Yes,” said Gretchen. “I’ll take you there. On the way you can tell me why you want it. Come on!”

Jess and Lily looked at each other, thrilled. They were going to have everything they needed to break Grizelda’s spell in no time!

“That’s great, Gretchen, thanks,” said Lily. “It was lucky we bumped into you!”

“Yes, it was, wasn’t it?” said Gretchen. She looked very pleased, too.

Poppy bounced around impatiently. “Let’s go!” she said.

Gretchen skipped ahead and the others followed. Everyone was feeling much more cheerful. Now there were four of them working to save Patch!

As they hurried along, Lily explained about the witch’s spell.

“We have to make the Rise and Shine potion, and give it to Patch before sunset,” said Jess, “otherwise the poor little thing will sleep forever.”

“Oh, that’s so sad,” said Gretchen, stopping for a moment.

“We’ve already got one ingredient,” said Poppy happily.

Gretchen smiled. “That’s interesting, puppykins,” she said. “Very interesting indeed. Where is it?”

“In Jess’s pocket,” said Poppy, dashing ahead impatiently. “Can we go on now?”

Gretchen skipped ahead, singing, “I love the flowers, I love the bees, I love butterflies with dusty knees...”

Lily and Jess grinned. “I think she loves the forest even more than we do,” Lily whispered to her best friend.

“I wish she’d go faster,” said Poppy, as Gretchen stopped by a ring of thick bushes covered in pale blue blossoms. “Oh, no, she’s smelling more flowers now. We’ll never find that jewel water!”

But then Gretchen beckoned to them. “Come on, everyone.” She pointed to the middle of the circle of bushes. “You’ll find what you want in there. Go on,” she said, “go on in.”

“Thanks, Gretchen!” cried Jess, dashing into the center. Lily and Poppy followed, then all three stood, looking and listening for the sound of water.

Jess turned to speak to Gretchen, who had stayed outside the flowery ring. Why isn’t she following us? she wondered.

Lily was puzzled, too. “Gretchen, can you show—?” she began, then stopped as she realized Gretchen was speaking. No, not speaking—she was chanting!

“Branches twist in thorny curls,

Make a cage for nasty girls!”

At once, the bushes sent out hundreds of thin, spidery branches that sprouted sharp thorns as long as sewing needles. The branches twisted, curled, and knotted until they were too dense to see through.

In no time at all, Jess, Lily, and Poppy were surrounded by a thick, prickly cage!

“We’re trapped!” cried Lily. “But why?”

“Gretchen, what have you done?” asked Jess, horrified.

The pretty face appeared above the spiky cage. Gretchen seemed to have grown taller. Then, to the girls’ horror, yellow-green sparks crackled around her. The wavy red hair turned green, and the pretty dress became a swirling black cloak.

“It’s Grizelda!” cried Lily. “Gretchen was the witch in disguise. She tricked us!”

Grizelda’s awful cackle echoed round the forest. “Haa haaa haaaa! You fools! You’re always visiting Toadstool Glade, so I knew that if I waited there you’d show up before long. And now you’ve told me exactly what you’re up to!”

Jess and Lily stared at her in horror.

The witch laughed again. “You won’t find the jewel water, and you’ll never find the Sunrise Berries. Even if you did, you’d never dare try to reach them. Haaa!”

She snapped her fingers and disappeared in a shower of evil-smelling yellow sparks.

Jess and Lily turned to comfort Poppy. The little puppy’s eyes were brimming with tears. “We can’t save Patch,” she whimpered, “and we’re trapped here. I’ll never see my family again.”

Lily picked her up and pressed her cheek against Poppy’s. “Don’t you worry,” she said. “We’ve beaten Grizelda before and we’ll do it again. We’ll think of something,” she added. “Won’t we, Jess?”

Her friend put on a big smile. “Of course we will,” she said.

But the girls exchanged nervous glances. It looked like Grizelda really had beaten them this time.

“I should have guessed there was something funny about Gretchen,” Lily said with a sigh. “Goldie always said we’re the only humans who can visit Friendship Forest. We should have been more careful.”