Book 3 Tinkle.

A call to Arms {words 1993}1

It was a perfect summer day in the fairy glen, the elves and fairies had teamed up with one another against the forest animals in a competition to decide, who would be the champions at hop-scotch. Later they would meet in the fairy circle and hold a quiz, to find out who knew the most about the bluebell woods where they all lived. 2

With the competition all square, an elf known as Windy because of his tall tales came running into the clearing in a bit of a tizzy.3

“It’s the hobgoblins he yelled at the top of his voice, they are coming to get us.4

“What are you talking about Tom the badger asked”? 5

“They know better than to come here, they were banished by the Fairy council many years ago”.6

Just then Tinkle entered the clearing with some friends, “what’s all the shouting about he asked, what is Windy getting all excited about“?7

On seeing Tinkle, Windy rushed towards him, “it’s the hobgoblins he yelled excitedly, there going to attack us”.8

“Calm down Windy, Tinkle said, and start from the beginning”. 9

“I was collecting horse chestnuts Windy said, and feeling tired I hid myself away in the hollow trunk of a tree, where I would be out of sight of any unwelcome guests.”10

“Anyway he continued the sound of voices wakened me and on looking out I saw a band of hobgoblins sitting in a circle talking; they were making plans to launch a surprise attack on the fairy glen and take us all captive.11

“And just what were those plans”? Tinkle asked. 12

“I can’t remember exactly Windy said, I just remember their leader laughing and saying something about them having full larders during the coming winter”.13

“My knees were knocking and my teeth were chattering so loudly, I was afraid they would hear me”.14

There was much murmuring amongst those gathered, as they listened to Windy’s tale.15

“What did their leader look like”? Tinkle asked him. 16

“He was big and ugly Windy said, and had lots of large sharp teeth. Oh! And he had a big hairy wart on the tip of his nose.”17

“Anything else Tinkle asked the excited Elf18

“Yes Windy replied after a short pause, he carried a big wooden staff. 19

Tinkle nodded, “I know him; he is the chief of the hobgoblins”.20

“Well there is only one thing for it Tinkle said, I will have to visit their camp and find out just what they are planning”.21

Bright and early next morning Tinkle had breakfast, freshly baked scones spread with rich golden honey that he washed down with crystal clear water. 22

With breakfast over he packed a lunch box, it was stuffed full of all kinds of delicious fruit from the many fruit trees in the forest; it could be a long day.23

With his gunny sack slung over one shoulder Tinkle donned the magic cap, he called to Horatio a large and very friendly wood pigeon; “I need you to take me on a trip Horatio”. 24

Tinkle climbed onto to his broad back and Horatio took to the air, and headed towards a distant part of the wood where the hobgoblins lived.25

After flying overhead for some considerable time, Tinkle pointed out a clearing among some large trees which were slap bang in the middle of hobgoblin territory. 26

“Put me down there Horatio” he said pointing. 27

Horatio circled the clearing for a few minutes before finally landing. He was extra careful, as the hobgoblins were known to be partial to a nice pigeon pie. 28

On landing Tinkle jumped from Horatio’s back, “thanks he said, wait for an hour and then pick me up”.29

Waving good-bye to Horatio he made a beeline towards some dense bushes and made himself at home, and waited for the hobgoblins to appear.30

He was feeling hungry after the long flight, so sitting in the long grass he eat some of the delicious fruit that he had brought along with him. He ate unhurriedly; if the hobgoblins came upon him unexpectedly the magic cap would make him invisible. 31

He waited patiently, and sure enough a short time later a group of hobgoblins suddenly appeared out of the trees a few yards from him. So unexpected was their appearance that he was a little startled. 32

However he need not have worried, as the hobgoblins walked straight past without seeing him, talking loudly as they went.33

Tinkle smiled, the magic cap had done its work once again. 34

Getting to his feet he followed them back to their camp, where waiting for them was the chief hobgoblin. As they formed a large circle Tinkle walked onto it where he sat in the middle listening to the plan for the attack on the fairy glen. 35

Windy had been right after all.36

It was almost dark when he arrived home, hungry and very tired, he would have supper and then retire early to bed.37

Bright and early the following morning the two song birds that nested in the large oak tree next to Tinkle’s house awakened him at the start of the dawn chorus; this is the perfect way to start a new day he thought.38

As the morning wore on, elves and fairies gathered outside Tinkle’s house, all of them eager to hear news of the rumour going around of the impending attack by the hobgoblins.39

When he finished telling them what he had seen and heard at the hobgoblins camp, there was much ooing and A…ing. 40

“What are we to do someone asked”? 41

Even with our magic we are no match for an army of hobgoblins”.42

“We must flee before they get here someone else said; flee to the safety of the caves beyond the forest”.43

“Why don’t we send for the Queen” asked a small fairy.44

“Now don’t panic Tinkle said, I know their plans and just how we can drive them out”. No need to disturb the Queen.45

“They will be here the day after tomorrow he continued; by that time we shall be ready for them”.46

“Now let’s start getting organised, don’t worry he said smiling, we shall send them packing.”47

All that day and part of the next, tinkle had every one doing their bit to see off the intended hobgoblin attack, he organized some of the elves into groups and then sent them into the forest to contact all of the bird’s bees and dragonflies they could find. 48

“Tell them to gather in the open field by the stream early to-morrow”.49

He then organized the fairies into sewing groups.50

“We will need a hundred sacks made from the strongest silk the spiders can spin he said, some able to hold water, the rest will be used to hold itching powder”.51

“How many of you know how to make itching powder” he asked?52

Hands were raised, good he said; as soon as the sacks are ready, fill some of the bags with a good helping of itching powder, the rest we shall fill with water later”.53

“Water someone asked, what good will sacks of water do against the hobgoblins”? 54

An old elf with a great white beard answered, “everyone knows that hobgoblins hate water, have you ever heard of a hobgoblin washing”?55

All through the night everyone in the enchanted forest worked without rest, and when the sun poked her head over the horizon the following morning, all of the bags made by the fairy’s the night before lay in neat piles waiting to be filled.56

For the rest of that morning birds of all shapes and sizes arrived in answer to Tinkle’s call, as did dragonflies and large bumble bees; who set about sharpening their stings. 57

There were also swifts and swallows, they would hassle and harass the hobgoblins with their speed by darting in and out, while the larger birds would follow up and act as the bombers.58

The night before the invasion, Tinkle had gathered all of the inhabitants of the fairy glen together to tell them of his battle plan.59

“The hobgoblins will come out of the trees on all four sides of the glen he told them, that way they hope to cut off any escape”. 60

“They plan to attack just as the sun comes up, hoping that we shall be too sleepy to put up much of a fight.”61

“Our plan is simple he told them, when they attack us the largest of the birds will act as bombers, each carrying two elves armed with water bombs”. 62

Others will follow shortly after, and the elves on board will be armed with bags of itching powder63

“After they have dropped their loads the swifts and swallows will follow up and harass them once again”.64

“And last but not least he said smiling; a squadron of bumblebees with very sharp stings will attack and chase them back to where they came from.” 65

At sunrise the following morning an army of hobgoblins carrying heavy nets and clubs crept towards the fairy glen, as they emerged from the undergrowth all was quite. This would be easy they thought; by the looks of things everyone is still asleep. 66

The leader of the hobgoblins grinned, and then raising his staff in the air he yelled for everyone to follow him, and then charged forward.67

They charged across the clearing yelling at the top of their voices hoping to terrify the elves and fairies.68

As they reached the middle of the clearing Tinkle stood up and yelled…. “pull”.69

As they did so what appeared to be a solid line of bushes parted.70

Right he yelled at the top of his voice, “first squadron go”.71

At his command the swifts and swallows flew in and out of the hobgoblins, making them flail with their hands and arms, as they tried to drive them off.72

Next came a flock of geese each carrying two elves, they took to the air the elves holding tightly to their water bombs.73

The geese glided in low over hobgoblins, who were pelted with water bombs followed moments later by a flock of gulls, the elves on their backs holding large bags of itching powder.74

The hobgoblins taken completely by surprise halted in their tracks, trying in vain to brush off the water that had soaked them through. 75

The gulls like the geese before them flew in low making sure that the elves had an easy target, the bags filled with itching then burst on contact, the itching powder sticking to their wet skin.76

Drenched and confused the hobgoblins were by this time dancing around as though possessed, scratching madly as they tried to get rid of the itching. They tried to brush the itching powder off, but it stuck firmly to their wet skin.77

The chief of the hobgoblins had, had enough, and roared for them to retreat, but Tinkle had not finished with them yet. 78

He raised his hand above his head, and seconds later a loud buzzing noise filled the air.79

The hobgoblins looked in terror as a very large swarm of bumblebees flew towards them; stings at the ready. 80

They made a dash for the thick undergrowth and dived headfirst into it, trying to hide from the bees.81

The squadron of bees in their black and yellow coats however had no difficulty in following them, and soon the hobgoblins were jumping into the air with every sting, as the bees followed up their attack. 82

There was much cheering and laughter from the fairy glen as hobgoblins yelled and jumped in the air, as trying to escape the sharp stingers belonging to the bumblebees..83

There was much dancing and celebrating in the bluebell wood afterwards and Tinkle was carried around and around shoulder high.84

Later a feast was laid on to celebrate their victory, and from that day to this, the hobgoblins were never seen or heard of again. 85