The Story Traveller Read Free

anything serious and you’re out. Finally, this is not a rule, but a word of warning: stay away from the Forest of the Furies, especially if you’re on your own.’
    â€˜I’ve
no
intention of going in there again!’ Lucy said with conviction. ‘Did I really see hobgoblins in there, Twinkle, or was it my imagination?’
    â€˜You can never tell what is who and who is what in Storyland and especially in the Forest of the Furies,’ Fairy Godmother answered. ‘But do be a dear and try to keep out of
    ??that dark place. My magic doesn’t work too well in the dark. Anyway, enough of that, it’s time for you to go and find Cinderella.’
    Lucy jumped up and then stopped and looked down at her nightdress.
    â€˜Won’t I be rather noticeable dressed like this, Twinkle?’
    The fairy godmother laughed.
    â€˜Silly me! You need a dress, shoes and a cloak of invisibility.’
    â€˜Cloak of invisibility?’
    â€˜Yes, it’s so important you are not seen by the villains. Your cloak will make sure you are invisible, but you must remember always to have it with you, my dear.’
    As she spoke Twinkle whispered to some of the little people in the basket. A sprinkle of tiny fairies flew into the air and landed gently on Lucy’s neck, arms and feet. She laughed as some of them tickled her with their wings. The fairy godmother then took hold of her walking stick and drew a circle in the air.
    â€˜Magic wand I ask of you, a dress and shoes, both spanking new.’
    The walking stick dissolved into a silver wand and a shower of silver dust floated to the floor.
    Lucy looked down with expectation, but there were her bare feet and there was her yellow nightie.
    â€˜Oh dear!’ said Twinkle. ‘I’ve got it wrong again!’ Lucy looked up and saw that the fairy godmother was now in a beautiful dark blue dress that shimmered as she moved, while on her feet were a pair of silver shoes.
    â€˜It’s so annoying,’ said Twinkle. ‘The wand knows exactly what I want, but she’s a stickler for precision. Now let me concentrate more.’ Twinkle wrinkled her nose and tried again. ‘Lucy’s the one to have new clothes from the top of her head to her bare little toes.’
    The wand was whisked through the air again, only this time a burst of tiny stars rose up and floated over to Lucy and were caught by the fairies. In less time than it took for Lucy to wink, she found she was wearing a lovely blue dress with a neat white apron and a pair of shiny blue shoes. Lucy wasn’t really into clothes and spent most of her time, when not at school, in jeans and t-shirts, but she had to admit the outfit was something really special. She was delighted.
    ?? Her delight changed to laughter as she turned to Twinkle, who was, once again, in her comfortable grey cloak, but the hood had been thrown over her face by the wand so that Twinkle’s face had completely disappeared.
    â€˜That’s enough Wandela,’ a slightly irritated voice said from the folds of the cloak. ‘That’s better,’ Twinkle smiled, as her cloak fell away from her face. ‘Now I can see what I’m doing. Wandela does like to play tricks on me sometimes. Right, now for your cloak of invisibility, my dear.’ Again Twinkle gave orders to some of the fairies who then left the basket, holding a simple dark blue cloak, which they placed round Lucy’s shoulders.
    â€˜How do I make myself invisible?’ asked Lucy, as she pirouetted round and round.
    â€˜Just lift the hood over – so!’ Twinkle pulled the hood gently over Lucy’s head. ‘Now you see her – now you don’t!’
    Lucy, amazed by such a wonderful piece of magic, turned and looked into the brook and slipped the hood on and off as she watched her reflection come and go.
    â€˜You must never lose that,’ warned Twinkle. ‘It must go home with you when you