When the Tree-Fairy told of the Witch Discontent's rage, she shuddered,
then she continued:
"The Witch Discontent not only drove me from her house, but she chased
me and she screamed at me every step of the way. I could run faster than
she and I reached my home first. I ran into the house, closed and bolted
the door.
"I was just in time for I had only finished locking the door when the
Witch Discontent threw herself against it.
"When she found that the door was locked she was more angry than ever.
She tore her hair and jumped wildly about. She put her mouth to the key
hole and screamed:
"'I will punish you yet, you just wait. I will sit here in front of
your door until you come out.'
"Now, I knew that she could not harm me unless she looked me in the eye
and made certain passes with her hands, so I decided right then and
there that I would stay in the house and keep the door locked.
"All day long the Witch Discontent sat in front of the door and all the
while her rage grew and grew until she was a terrible sight. I peeped
out of the window at her several times and each time I was glad she did
not see me.
"Night came and she was still there. I went quietly to bed and soon fell
asleep. It was bright daylight when I awakened. My first thought was one
of happiness and then I remembered about the Witch Discontent and I was
eager to see if she was still sitting outside of my door.
"I tip-toed over to the window and looked out. I could not see her so I
leaned further out and almost instantly a rough hand grabbed me and
dragged me right out of the window and dropped me on the ground.
"I found myself facing the Witch Discontent. She had been waiting under
my window for this very chance. She shook me and then held me very tight
while she looked me in the eye, made passes and hissed:
"'You wicked Tree-Fairy! I will drive you from Fairyland. I will send
you to Earth and imprison you in a tree forever. You shall never come
forth into the sunshine again or dance, laugh or sing unless I will it.
Now go,' she screamed as she flung me from her and made more strange
passes with both hands.
"That is all I can remember until I found myself imprisoned in the heart
of yonder tree. I could not stir. I was fitted into the tree as if I had
grown there.
"I do not know how long I have been in the tree, for I slept a great
deal, but always when I was awake I sang little songs of joy to myself
and kept a merry heart. But best of all, I never ceased to love the
Witch Discontent in spite of what she had done to me.
"You know that love always conquers hate and it was love that sent the
man to cut down the tree and when he was called away, it was love that
sent Pinkie Whiskers and you, my dear friends, to finish the work and
free me."
As the Tree-Fairy stopped talking there were tears of gratitude and
happiness in her eyes. She looked so sweet and beautiful that her new
friends wondered how anyone could ever have been unkind to her.
"You certainly have had a very hard time and I am glad that we could
help you out of your prison," said Uncle Whiskers.
"Why are you called a Tree-Fairy if you have only lived in a tree here
on Earth?" inquired Pinkie Whiskers.
The Tree-Fairy laughed merrily as she replied: "Bless your heart, I
have always lived in a tree. My home was in a tree in Fairyland, but the
tree was hollow and I had several rooms. As I told you I even had a door
and a window."
"Fairyland must be a wonderful place," sighed Twinkle. "I wish that I
could make you a visit when you are back in your own home once more."
The Tree-Fairy put her arms about him and said, "I would love to have
you but it is impossible. You could never reach there. I must be going
now, but I will never forget your kindness to me and I will always watch
over you all and turn your trouble into happiness. In fact, I will tell
all of the good Fairies to help you."
"Pinkie Whiskers, you shall always be protected in time of need. Some
day when you are in danger, I will save you as you have saved me and now
good-bye, dear friends, good-bye."