Tinkle and the magic cap Book2

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Tinkle and the magic cap 2

Book 23

When Tinkle emerged from the woods after his adventure with the hobgoblins, his friends and family had all rushed to greet him as they had feared greatly for his safety. He told them the wondrous story of how with the help of the magic cap, he managed to outwit the hobgoblins and turn them against each other.4

They listened open mouthed as he told them how the hobgoblins had surrounded him, and then laughed with glee when he told them of how while invisible, he ran around kicking their bottoms, and how they had blamed one another before fighting amongst themselves.5

At the end of his story, they raised him shoulder high like a conquering hero and carried him around and around the fairy circle.6

For the next two years Tinkle and his friends roamed the magic forest, getting to know every nook and cranny in it.7

He was now big and strong and had become a leader among the elves, no one could run faster or jump higher than he, and with no one able to give him competition he would often pit himself in races against the fleetest animals in the forest. When it came to leaping over hedges and bushes he could out jump best, even the spring heeled grasshoppers. 8

The magic cap continued to protect Tinkle; the large birds of prey that patrolled the skies above fairy kingdom were not like the wise old owls or the song birds that were part of the fairy community. 9

They were fierce and cruel, and while flying overhead they watched sharp eyed for any of the forests inhabitants who carelessly strayed beyond its boundaries, be they animals or elves.10

Many elves and some of the smaller animals of the forest, had fallen victim to the cruel beaks and talons of these marauding birds11

During a visit to one the hamlets on the outskirts the forest where Tinkle had gone in search of good deeds he might perform, and had almost fallen prey to a very fierce Falcon. 12

High above the surrounding fields its sharp eyes had spotted him as he crossed a meadow towards a little house set on a hillock; where he had heard the old woman who lived there was in need of his help. 13

A few days before she had tripped and badly sprained her ankle, and was now having great difficulty in feeding the chickens and geese.14

There was also the task of gathering the eggs to take to Market.15

Tinkle had almost crossed the open meadow when the huge bird swooped from the sky like a bolt of lightning, as it neared him it extended its legs in front of it, its great curved talons and the cruel beak reaching for him. 16

In the split second before it could take hold of him carry him off to its hungry chicks; the magic cap came to his aid, causing him to disappear from the sight of the huge bird.17

Tinkle threw himself to the grass at the last possible moment and lay very still; above him the Falcon squawked angrily and circled above the spot it had last seen him, its beady eyes searching the meadow for the smallest of movements. 18

Slowly Tinkle got to his feet; the angry bird meanwhile was still hovering above the spot where he had thrown himself to the grass moments earlier, squawking angrily, its great yellow eyes blazing.19

Moments later it squawked in triumph and swooped towards the still invisible elf, although it could not see him, it could see the grass move with every step he took.20

“Now I have you little elf it squawked triumphantly, you’re mine.”21

“Oh no I’m not Tinkle yelled you will have to outrun me first”.22

His little legs moved like pistons as he zigzagged across the open meadow, looking for someplace to hide.23

“There” he yelled in triumph spotting a large plant pot lying on its side, only a short distance from him. The Falcon following the telltale footprints in the long grass swooped again and again. 24

Each time Tinkle managed to dodge the cruel talons.25

Finally he reached the plant pot and dived headfirst inside it, and with all his remaining strength, he tilted the plant pot so that it surrounded him like a bell. Standing underneath it, he could hear the Falcons talons as they scraped along the outside of the plant pot, trying to lift it.26

Some time later when all was quite he raised the plant pot just enough to enable him see out, and then making sure that his cap was sitting snugly on his head he emerged into the warm sunshine.27

He looked around carefully; there was no sign of the falcon. 28

That had been a close call, thank goodness for the magic cap”.29

When he reached the tiny cottage there was no sign of the old woman, but all around the yard eggs lay waiting to be collected, and the geese and chickens were standing around waiting to be fed.30

Sometime later with the chores all done, Tinkle made his way back to the bluebell woods, as he walked along in the sunshine he whistled a little tune, it felt so good to help people. 31