Daisy Meadows - Poppy Muddlepup’s Daring Rescue

The frogs got out their oars, and off they rowed, gliding over the dark water. Mr. Greenhop swung his net in the air every so often.

“I’m catching flies,” he explained. “Lots of flies around the witch’s home.”

Soon they reached the far bank. Lily shivered as she looked at the tower.

“Hop, hop, hop ashore,” whispered Mr. Greenhop. “I don’t want to stay on this side for too long—we’re far too close to that witch for my liking!”

Lily, Jess, and Poppy thanked the Greenhops for their help and stepped onto the bank. Now they knew why they were shivering, and why the ground was gray. On Grizelda’s side of the water, it was winter! Snow lay on the ground, but not crisp and white, like it was in Brightley. This was dirty gray and slushy.

“Everything about Grizelda’s tower is horrible,” muttered Jess. “Even the snow.”

“I wish we had our jackets and scarves back,” Lily said with a shiver.

“Wait!” said Poppy. She pulled three red flowers with sparkling centers from her bag. “Winter warmers,” she explained. “If you have one of these on you, it keeps you nice and toasty warm.”

Lily and Jess each tucked a winter warmer into their hair, where the twisting twirls were before, while Poppy looped hers through her bandanna.

“Wow,” gasped Lily as she felt a lovely heat surround her. “Your flowers really are magical, Poppy!”

Jess led the way between spiteful-looking thorn bushes, which seemed to reach out and snatch at their clothes. A big, ugly, warty toad waddled out in front of Poppy and swelled up, making the poor puppy jump. Lily flapped her hands at the toad, then picked Poppy up.

“This place smells mean and nasty,” said the puppy, wrinkling her nose.

As they reached the tower, Lily gazed upward. “Wow! It’s so tall,” she said.

The walls were black and crumbling in places, and the narrow windows were as dark and cold as the witch’s eyes.

Jess gasped and pointed. A black vine had wound its way around the very top of the tower. Growing on it was something bright, sparkling, and orange. “Sunrise Berries!” she said.

Poppy wriggled in excitement.

“See?” said Lily. “Everything will be fine. We’re going to save Patch.”

“There’s only one problem,” Jess muttered. “We have to get to the top of the tower—without being spotted by Grizelda!”

Jess found a door in the tower wall. It was big and solid, and had a knocker shaped like a scary monster face. Lily and Poppy kept close behind her as she reached for the iron doorknob. Everyone held their breath nervously...

But it wouldn’t turn.

“It’s locked,” said Jess. “Now what?”

“Keep looking for a way in,” said Lily.

They tiptoed around the outside of the tower, then Poppy gave a little yap. “There’s an open window,” she said, “but it’s too high up, even for you girls.”

Jess groaned, but Lily had an idea.

“Keep watch, Poppy,” said Lily. “Jess and I will find something to stand on.”

Poppy sat beneath the window, her ears pricked, watching for danger. Lily and Jess soon found what they needed—a rotten tree stump that had been ripped from the ground. They dragged it to the wall and stood it in the gray slush beneath the window.

Jess climbed onto the stump and reached up to the window. In moments she had hauled herself over the sill and inside. She looked out. “Pass Poppy up to me,” she told Lily.

Once the puppy was lifted through the open window, she immediately sneezed. “Ooh, it’s dusty,” she complained, rubbing her nose with a paw.

“Let’s be as quiet as we can!” Jess whispered. “Lily, your turn now. Stand on the stump and stretch your arms. Grab my wrists!”

Seconds later, Lily stood beside Jess, brushing down her dress.

“Careful,” Poppy whispered. “All this dust is very sneezy.”

They found themselves in a damp, dark hallway. It smelled of mold and musty, stale air. In the corner was a stone spiral staircase. When they stood at the bottom and looked up, it seemed to go all the way up through the tower.

“Come on,” said Jess, leading the way up the stairs. Cobwebs brushed their hair, and each footstep stirred more dust. Poppy was right. It was very sneezy!

The puppy’s ears suddenly pricked up. “Listen!” she said.

“What is it?” asked Lily.

“Footsteps,” whispered Poppy. “Grizelda’s coming!”

“Oh, no,” said Lily. “Hide! Quick!”

Jess spotted a door covered in sagging spiderwebs. She wrenched it open and saw it was a closet, full of huge old iron cauldrons.

Jess, Lily, and Poppy darted inside, shutting the door softly behind them. And not a moment too soon! Seconds later, through the gaps in the wood, they saw Grizelda climbing down the stairs. She was carrying a lantern and crowing to herself.

“It’ll soon be sunset, haa haa!” she said. “Those interfering girls will never be able to make the potion in time, even if they do find all the ingredients. The magic plants will be mine—all of them. Haaaaaa, haaaa, haaa!”

As she stomped past, the thick dust on the cauldrons filled the air, billowing up around the girls and Poppy. The puppy’s paw flew to her nose.

“Oh, no!” whispered Lily. She guessed there was a sneeze coming and quickly wrapped the puppy in her arms, hoping to stifle the sound.

“Aaah... aah... aah...” Poppy managed to hold back the sneeze for a moment, but then—“Fwooff!”

Through the gaps in the door, Jess saw the wicked witch stop.

“Who’s there?” Grizelda snapped.

“Quick!” whispered Lily. “Hide in one of the big cauldrons.”

They clambered inside the largest one, hardly daring to breathe.

“Who’s there, I say?” snarled Grizelda.

“Show yourself or I’ll... aha! The closet!”

Lily, still hugging Poppy, could feel the pup’s heart racing as fast as her own.

Grizelda yanked the door open. Shadows moved as the witch swung the lantern forward.

On the wall, Jess saw the silhouette of witchy hair, swirling like snakes as Grizelda peered into the closet.

Oh, no , Jess thought. Please, please don’t let her see us!

Jess’s legs were like rubber, and Lily clapped her hand over her mouth to stop herself crying out. Both girls felt Poppy’s little body trembling between them.

Grizelda’s lantern swung closer. If she came any nearer, she would see them! The girls held their breath for what felt like forever before Grizelda grunted.

“Humph. It must have been a rat.”

The girls breathed again as the door slammed shut and Grizelda’s voice faded away, muttering, “If I catch anyone...”

They waited a few moments to be sure she had gone, then Jess climbed out of the cauldron and opened the door. “That was close!” she said. “Come on—let’s get those berries and get out of here!”