Part 4

“I can help you,” said the Squirrel. Stooping, he picked up a small stone, and began to rub it between his paws. As he rubbed, the stone turned to iron, and quickly into a key that fitted the lock on the huge door.

“I thank you,” said Cho-Cho. “What is your name?”

“I am Friendship,” said the Squirrel, “and I will go with you on your journey.”

Through the great door they went, and on again up the mountain, coming at last to the top, and there on the ground lay the little Boy. His clothes were soiled, and torn in many places, for the Witch had dragged him up the mountainside by one small arm, and the rough stones and briars had caught his garments as she hurried him onward. He was asleep where the Witch had thrown him. Cho-Cho’s heart filled with pity when he saw the little figure lying there. Bending over, Cho-Cho gently touched the tear-stained face and the little Boy awoke.

“Where is the Witch?” Cho-Cho asked. The little Boy caught his hand in a frightened grasp. He was so afraid that he could scarcely speak.

“Cho-Cho, take me home,” he sobbed, “take me home, before the Witch comes back.”

“She shall not hurt you,” Cho-Cho answered. “But where did she go?”

Before the Child could speak, a harsh laugh sounded in their ears, a heavy stone whistled through the air, and fell beside Cho-Cho, barely missing his head, then all was very still.

“Stay with the Boy,” Cho-Cho told the friendly Squirrel, “this Witch shall be punished.”

The Magnet in his hand pointed directly toward a large rock. Its steep sides were very sharp and rough, and looking up Cho-Cho saw the ugly Witch standing on the top.

“So I am to be punished, am I?” she screamed, her face distorted by rage, “I will show you who has power here,” and she hurled a sharp stone at Cho-Cho. Springing aside, Cho-Cho drew an arrow from its quiver and a stout bow from his back, and carefully aiming, he pulled the bow string. The arrow sped through the air, and struck the Witch with such force that she fell forward, and losing her balance, rolled over and over down the side of the great rock. When Cho-Cho reached the place where she lay unconscious, one arm hung limp at her side, broken by the fall. Her feet were scarred by heavy chains that had once bound her, and looking on her cruel face Cho-Cho said, “She has been punished enough.”

Then taking the little Boy’s hand, Cho-Cho started back to the Farm House. The Sweet-faced Woman met them on the road and when she saw the little Boy, her face lit up with happiness and love.

“What can I do for you, Cho-Cho?” she asked.

“Help little Children,” Cho-Cho answered, and looking at his wrist watch, he saw it was quite late, and remembering a business engagement in the city, he hurried away.

The Little Vegetable Men

One sunny summer day, the little Fairy Health worked among her flowers, weeding and digging the rich brown earth to make them beautiful. She sang, as she worked, a gay little song, and tripped lightly here and there over the grass and flower beds. Stopping at last to wipe the earth from her hands upon a large lily leaf, for it made a most convenient towel, she looked up and saw Cho-Cho coming down the road and ran to the gate to greet him.

Now Cho-Cho was a tiny Elf who loved Children, and he was one of the Fairy’s oldest friends.

“Fairy,” said Cho-Cho, “in looking from my Magic Window last evening I saw the old Witch Ignorance abroad. Up and down the city streets she went and into all the homes where Children live, and on the door of every house she made a black mark.”

“Oh, Cho-Cho,” said the Fairy, “this means trouble for the Children.”

“Yes,” said Cho-Cho.

Leading him to a seat within her Rose Arbor, the Fairy brought him sparkling water from her well and bade him rest until he felt refreshed.

As she spoke, through the garden gate came three queer-looking little Men. The first had the head of a Beet, and his clothes were made from dull green leaves. His shoes and stockings were beet-colored and in his hand he carried a green hat.

The second little Man was a white Onion, and his clothes were the green of onion tops; and the third little fellow had the face of a Carrot, and he, too, was all in green.

“Fairy,” said the little Man who looked like a Beet, “we are in great trouble and have come to ask for your help. We are called the Green Vegetables and are a large and happy family. Last night while we slept, the wicked Witch Ignorance crept in among us and carried off one of our little Men. We did not know that he was gone until we were awakened by his cries, and when we rushed to help him, this cruel Witch beat us to the ground and sped far away.

“This morning, I found upon my doorstep a letter. It was from the Witch and said that unless we gave her gold she would return each night and carry away one of our comrades. Help us, Fairy, for this Witch is very powerful.”

“Courage, little Man,” said the Fairy, “Cho-Cho and I will help you.” “Fairy,” said Cho-Cho, “I must find this cruel Witch, for if she hurts these little Men, the Children will have no Vegetables to eat, and Children must eat Vegetables. This is what the black mark meant upon the doors,” and turning, Cho-Cho walked rapidly away.

Now Cho-Cho had a friend, a Wonderful Dog, who could travel like the wind, and he hurried down the road toward the Dog’s house.

Finding the Dog at home, Cho-Cho told him of the little Men, and added, “I must find this Witch before nightfall, and it is now noon. I cannot travel fast enough, for she lives far away. Will you take me on your back?”