WRITERS EYES / ASCRIBER Uniting Writers Around The World Online Writing Group Members Pages Group Home Page

13 Magic Fires

by Christina Munro

"Biff Bullfrog, where are you?" Millie Mouse squeaked.

From beneath the dark waters of the pool, Biff watched Millie dash to and fro. He blinked his bulbous eyes and popped onto a floating brown leaf. "What's wrong, Millie?"
She waited until Biff jumped up beside her, then whispered to him.
All around them the forest had sprung alive with curious, croaking frogs. "What's going on?" they asked.
"Bad news," Biff said. "Jack Frost is coming tonight."
"But he'll freeze the pool, and we won't be able to have our party," they groaned. "How can we stop him?"
"Someone must ask, Magic Tree," Millie said.
"I'll go," Biff offered.

There were lots of moonbeams waiting at the station, and Biff hopped aboard the one going to Magic Tree."Wow!" he cried, as it shot off across the night sky. Then with a plop , he was set down upon a branch of golden leaves.
"Magic Tree?" he asked timidly.
"Yes, Biff, can I help you?" She listened while he explained the frogs' problem. "Jack Frost is a rascal, but I'll stop him freezing your pool tonight," she promised. "Now listen. You must build thirteen magic fires around the pool, using pinecones, carrots tied with pink ribbons, cold cinders, and the feathers from thirteen plucked chickens. Go quickly now," she said.

The frogs laughed at Magic Tree's instructions.
"You better stop," Millie warned, and pointed to the trees all around them. "What if they told Magic Tree you laughed at her?"
"She could let Jack Frost freeze the pool," Biff said.
"Oh, no," the frogs cried, and hopped off to find the pinecones and cinders.The farm horses gave Biff their carrots, and the lady frogs took the pink ribbons off their bonnets. But where to find chicken feathers?
"I've got it!" Millie Mouse cried. "Farmer Green's wife has been plucking chickens for the butcher."
"Thanks, Millie," Biff said. "Come on, we'll check the farmhouse trash."
Soon they were back, hauling a plastic bag filled with feathers. They threw them into the fires, and, like magic, they began to blaze.

Suddenly the air chilled, and the frogs peered up at the man of ice who hovered above them. He was tiny, with bright, beady eyes, and a cone-shaped head. A fearsome creature.

Jack Frost eyed the pool. "Ha, ha, you won't be swimming in there tonight. Here I come," he yelled, and in he dived. "Yikes!" he bellowed, as the hot red sparks exploded all around him. "Who built these fires? They'll melt me into a puddle." And shaking his fist in fury he darted off to find another pool to freeze.

The frogs jumped for joy and patted Biff's back. "He's gone, yippee!" they chorused. "Come on, let's party.

The party was a huge success. They swam, played games, and ate until they got tired and fell asleep.

The next morning, all that remained of the fires were thirteen purple mushrooms.
"Don't be sad," Biff said to the frogs. "We had our pool party. And we've got, Magic Tree and Millie Mouse to thank for it. So, come on, let's give them three cheers. Hip, hip, hooray. Hip, hip, hooray. Hip, hip, hooray."

The End

Your comments

I loved Christina Munroe's tale - it was charming with just the right amount of lyrical prose for the age group. The tempo was consistent and the story was exciting and heart warming.
J.S. Dixon

Group Home Page