Moss Needs Some Help

 Moss had lived in this forest for a thousand years. She loved it here. She had made friends with all of the animals in the forest. She loved the chipmunks, birds, and squirrels. She adored the big eyed deer that often made their way to the soft pine needles that surrounded the tree that Moss made her home. Lately she had been troubled. The Wicked Witch was at it again it seemed. She had watched her take Myla's invitation away from the messenger. She had heard her cackle happily when Lightfoot bit the farmer the day that he was born. What she was concerned about was the farmer's daughter, Charlie. Charlie was kind and beautiful. She was a good friend of the King's daughter, Princess Marlee and made frequent trips to the castle. She sighed thinking about the witch. "Hopefully she will let well enough alone and leave those little girls be. I'm a little tired today. I think I will take a short nap."

While Moss took a nap the Wicked Witch was busy. She was very unhappy that Princess Marlee had friends, especially Charlie. She knew just what she would do. She would devise a plan to take all of Charlie's chickens away. She knew just what she had to do. She got out her magic cauldron and heated a brew of magic herbs and leaves of stick tights and cactus leaves.  She threw in a bit of mustard and a bit of ketchup for color and some garlic for lasting smell.  Oh she loved it. Soon she started to dance around and around her big black pot and started chanting. She was getting old so her voice sounded more like a frog croaking and a cricket's legs rubbing together. Abra Cadabra chickens in the coop! Oh dear pot let them all be soup! Now a big rabbit will do, He will make a great tasty stew! Zap! All the birds and the animals stopped their chirping and visiting. They had been through the Witch's anger before. Something bad was going to happen.

**

Charlie had had such a wonderful day at the castle with her friend, Princess Marlee. The swan rides were so much fun. As she walked through the forest she hummed a little song. Soon she was back to the little farm where she lived. It was just about time to feed her chickens. It seemed strange she couldn't hear them clucking and fussing at each other. They were so funny. She didn't see them when she walked into the coop so she started calling them Henrietta! Pricilla! Veronica! Where are you? Chick! Chick! Here, Chick! Come get your food you silly chickens. She was met with silence. What she saw coming out of the chicken coop was a complete surprise. A rabbit! Oh no! Where were her chickens? She didn't want a rabbit. A rabbit couldn't lay eggs to sell or to eat. Oh she had to find her father right away! Where were her dear little friends?

Mother Nature shook the tree that Moss was resting against. "Moss! Wake up! There's trouble brewing. I think this time it's bad trouble. There are animals in danger. The Wicked Witch is at it again. Go with the wind and help the farmer and his daughter. Hurry!"

 "Moss! Please help us. Myla didn't get her invitation to the castle to ride the swans. It's the only thing that Myla wants for her birthday. Please come with us and help." Moss was waking up from a nap. She was being pushed and pulled in two different directions.. The first thing she did was smile at the two little girls and said, "You will have to wait your turn, but I promise I will see what I can do to get you that swan ride, Myla. Right now I have to hurry to the back of the forest to see a witch about a spell or for a spell, or something like that. Mother Nature? What's happening? I need some help please!"