Читать книгу The Adventures of the Tree Sprites - BH DeCou - Страница 5

Prologue

Father Sprite called a meeting of the Tree Sprites and Gromulas. As Father Sprite began speaking, the Gromulas came flying in, causing a disturbance. The Gromulas are a family of Trolls who are always causing trouble. Father Sprite turned toward the Gromulas saying, “This area belongs to the Sprites. We have allowed you to come in and be a part of our area. Because of your troublemaking, you are no longer allowed in our area. All of the Gromulas must leave the Tree Sprite area.” This did not sit well with the Gromulas. They began screaming at Father Sprite and the other Sprites. Father Sprite stood firm in his pronouncement. The Gromulas had to leave.

Two days later, a Gromula was caught sneaking back to the Tree Sprite area and was sitting high up in a tree watching a group of Sprites. He told himself, This isn’t fair. This should be our area. I see some Sprites playing in those trees. When they go to the ground, I am going after them. As the five Sprites landed on the ground, Gromula also came down right in front of them.

“What are you doing here, Gromula?” asked the oldest Sprite. “Father told you to leave and not come back.”

Gromula doubled up his fist at the oldest Sprite boy and said, “I don’t care what he said. I’m going to run all of you off!” Gromula picked up the three boy Sprites and threw them in the air. The Sprite boys just laughed and flew around the Gromula, laughing.

The oldest Sprite said, “Gromula, leave us alone. We haven’t done anything to you.”

Gromula said, “So what! I don’t like you or your family.” He then charged at the two Sprite girls. The youngest Sprite boy came flying as fast as he could at Gromula. Gromula just laughed and knocked him to the ground. That did it! All five Sprites went after the Gromula. They flew around him, hitting at him and causing him to fall.

Before Gromula could get up, Father Sprite came down from his tree. “That’s enough. You know what I told you, Gromula. No troublemaking! Now you must go.” Gromula was so angry, he let out a scream so loud it made the trees shake. Then he flew away screaming, “I’ll get you, Sprites! You can’t hide from me!”

* * *

Three months later, because Father Sprite was needed to help in another part of the state, he knew he had to leave this area now that the Gromulas were after the young Sprites. He had searched long and hard for the perfect place and finally found it. The family of Tree Sprites stopped beside a beautiful yard full of trees. Father Sprite turned and said to the young Sprites, “This will be where you will live. The couple who live here will take care of you.”

The oldest Sprite asked his father, “Can they see us?”

Their father answered, “Not yet, but they will. Now you must go and find a tree to be your home.”

Mother Sprite told the five young Sprites, “Behave yourselves and don’t get into trouble.”

Father Sprite said to the young Sprites, “We will meet again someday.”

* * *

The young Sprites said goodbye to their parents and eagerly flew into the big yard. The boy Sprites looked around and saw a giant playground, and the girl Sprites saw comfortable trees and pretty flowers. They found a pecan tree to make a nest. It was close to the house and they can hide quickly if need be. Each Sprite found a tree limb to be their bed and made it comfortable with leaves.

As they were preparing their nests, a woman came out. The Sprites watched her and looked back and forth at each other. They knew she can’t see them yet. The boys noticed a funny-shaped ball on the ground by their tree. Without thinking, the youngest boy Sprite flew down and grabbed the ball. He is ready to play. The other two boys joined him, playing catch. The girl Sprites continued to watch the woman.

The woman was walking around the yard, looking at the flowers and trees. She looked up as the odd-shaped ball flew past her head. “What in the world? Where did that come from?” She looked around and walked over to pick up the football when suddenly the ball was grabbed up and thrown all the way down the yard. “I know that did not happen.”

The Sprites started laughing when the woman went inside. After the close call with the ball, the Sprites needed to calm down. They began singing their favorite melody to help calm themselves down. The woman opened her door and leaned out. “The singing is beautiful. Could there actually be Tree Sprites in my yard? How exciting! I need to be watching for them!”