Magic Tree by Jim Bieneman

                                                      
                                                         THE MAGIC TREE                Pages 1 of approx 40

                                                         By Jim Bieneman        jnbien@Yahoo.com          

I know the Magic Forest.  It’s real.  My grandfather told me about it.  Years later I told my children.  Now I am going to tell you.

The Magic Forest is a place where almost anything can happen.  Katy and Peter first discovered it.  Katy was nine years old and Peter was seven.

Chapter 1     Katy Makes A Discovery

Katy and Peter live in town.  Their house is on a block with neighbors, fenced yards, pets and children.  If you look you can see a path that begins just behind Katy and Peter’s back yard.  The path winds through a vacant field and then an orchard.  It leads to a forest.

Katy spends all the time she can in the forest.  She tells her mother when she is going.  She must be home in time for dinner.

Katy always goes the same way.  It is not an obvious path, worn just enough to mark the way.  At the edge of the forest the trees and brambled bushes are tightly packed.  Katy has to edge into the woods sideways.  There isn’t any other entrance, at least as far as she knows.

Sometimes Katy walks fast to get deep into the forest as quickly as possible.  Sometimes she goes slowly, looking at everything.

There is a lot to see in the woods: ponds with lily pads, small lakes where you can see fish and many kinds of birds and animals.  Flowers are everywhere and there are big trees.

Even though Katy goes into the forest the same way it often seems like it is her first visit.  Katy thinks this is because she always sees something new.  But some of what she sees is due to the magic, like a dam with squirrels and beavers dancing on the top, or birds talking to each other.

The place in the forest Katy likes best is a clearing about as big as her back yard.  The clearing is covered with grass.  In the center is a tree that is bigger even than the other large trees.  The bark is rough, and high up are bare places where old branches have broken away.

She often walks around the tree, counting her steps.  It takes eleven and a half.

The tree’s branches spread in every direction.  They form a canopy that seems to Katy like an open air house.  Some of the roots of the tree grow on top of the ground.

Usually Katy sits under the tree in the same place, where the roots near the trunk make a seat.  Most of the time she stays for only a minute or two.  One day she stayed longer.  She thought about the pond at the far edge of the clearing.  She wondered what it might be like to be the frog she could see on a lily pad.  Her mind wandered; she stretched and leaned back.  For the first time, in all the times she had been in the clearing, she rested against the trunk of the big tree.

She had just gotten comfortable when a voice called, “Little girl who are you and why are you here?” Katy had no way of knowing that touching the trunk caused magic to come alive in the Magic Tree.

Katy was not scared by much.  But the voice came from right behind her and on top of her at the same time.  She shivered.

At first Katy thought the voice was her imagination or the wind.  Thinking more she decided otherwise.  “I have a name but before I say it come out from your hiding place and tell me first who you are.”  

The Magic Tree laughed.  “Katy,” said the tree “I already know your name and I am not behind anything.  In most ways,” the tree continued, “I am just a tree.  In other ways, because I have unusual powers, I am different.  Don’t be afraid.  In this forest there is magic everywhere, but with me you are quite safe.”

All this was said in a direct way and quickly.  Katy hardly had time to be afraid.  For a moment she just sat there, her back against the trunk of the big tree.  She looked across the clearing and into the pond but this time she wasn’t thinking about frogs.  Katy was thinking about the stories she’d read and the fairy tales she had heard.  None of them were about a tree with magic powers.  She didn’t think she was dreaming.  The voice she’d heard came from the tree.

Katy decided to say something more and see what would happen.  “Tree,” she said, “I am not very old but it seems to me unusual that there would really be such a thing as a magic tree.  Can you prove you have magical powers?”

The Tree laughed again.  “Don’t you think that talking is enough?  What more proof do you need?”

Katy thought about that and about what to say next.  She looked straight ahead saying nothing and wondered what her father or mother would do if they were there.  Maybe she should just get up and go home.  But the tree seemed real and Katy was curious.

Finally the tree broke the silence.  “I didn’t mean to sound harsh.  You seem nice.  And for a tree I am nice too.  Why don’t we make friends?  You could start by telling me about yourself.”

Katy answered quickly.  “My name is Katy; I’m nine years old.  I have a younger brother and a mother and father.”

“Well, hello, Katy,” said the tree.  “I suggest you call me by my name, which is Magic Tree.  You should be able to remember that.  You will find that everyone in the forest knows me so don’t forget my name.  It may come in handy to you some day.”

Catching her breath Katy replied, “Hello, Magic Tree.  I have read about make believe places, but I have never been to one - - even though I’ve been in the forest many times.  You make me think I don’t know the forest very well.  Is there really magic here?”

“To tell you about all of the magic would take a long time.  Someday I will, but these are stories for later, Katy.  For now, you should know that I have always lived in this very spot.  From the day I grew my first leaf I have been able to do special things.  For example, I know that you have been in the forest many times, and that just before you leaned on me you were watching a frog, thinking that it looked like fun to sit on a lily pad.  Furthermore, you wondered what it would be like to be a frog.”

Then the Magic Tree said something startling.  “If you really want to know what it is like to be a frog I can change you into one.  In fact, I can change you into anything that we have here in the forest - - any bird or animal in our woods.  Changing things is one of my special powers.  But...I’d only let you stay something else for a little while.”

“I was watching the frog,” said Katy.  She swallowed and summoned her courage. “If I were to be something other than myself I think I’d like to be a bird, maybe a bluebird.  Is that possible?”

“It is,” said the Tree.  “Of course there are other birds in the forest, too.  Hawks are one of my favorites because they soar high in the sky for a long time and hardly move their wings.  Their eyes are so good they can see everything that is going on, way down below.  If I weren’t a tree I think I’d like to be a hawk.  But for the first time you change into something other than yourself I think you made a good choice.  Let’s have you be a bluebird and see how you like it.  Bluebirds are pretty, smart and good fliers.  Everyone in the forest loves them.”

“Do you mean it?” said Katy.

Again the Magic Tree laughed.  Katy wondered what she had said that was funny.

“I do mean it,” said the Tree, “but you must promise me that you will stay in my branches, or at least very close by.  And when you want to be yourself again, fly around my trunk three times.”

Hardly had she promised to do as the Tree asked when she found herself perched on a small branch, high up in the Tree.  She looked at herself.  It was true.  Her body was beautifully feathered in blue, and her wings fit snugly at her sides.

Katy wondered if she only looked like a bird or could she act like one too.  To find out she jumped off her perch and almost fell to the ground before remembering to flap her wings.  She felt a lift and with a little awkward effort flew to a different branch - - then to another and another.  Each time her flying skill got better and seemed more natural.  After a while flying was not hard at all.  In fact it was easier than walking or running.

Looking around Katy saw the pond beneath her.  It was close enough to visit without breaking her promise to stay close.

Katy flew to the pond and saw the frog look up.  She darted in and out of the bushes at the edge of the water and then back to a high place in the Magic Tree.  It was a sensation Katy had never experienced before.  She could go in any direction and spin and turn and summersault in the air.

Flying is like swimming Katy decided, because air and water hold you up, at least if you keep moving your arms or your wings.

Katy flew without stopping.  She did fast flying and slow flying, and gliding, and diving straight down with her wings tucked in.  Finally she stopped to catch her breath.  She watched other birds to see if they noticed her.  They didn’t.  She looked at her wings and her feathered body.  They are beautiful, she thought.  And then she flew high in the air, did a loop and a double summersault before gliding to a landing at the base of Magic Tree.

Then Katy flew three times around the trunk.  On the third time she fell a few feet to the ground and was herself again.

“What did you think of flying?” asked Magic Tree.

“It is more fun than I ever imagined,” said Katy.  “You can see so many things up there and go in any direction with nothing in your way.  It is like riding my bike down the steepest hill, or like being on a swing with ropes a mile long, or maybe it’s like being a sky diver, though I’ve never been one,” she confessed.

“Well I’m glad you like it” said Magic Tree. “I’ve never flown myself and ....”

“Magic Tree,” Katy interrupted, “I want to stay longer but I have to be home for dinner and I can tell it is getting late.  May I come back?”

“Certainly,” said the Tree “And when you do we’ll talk more about the secrets of the forest.  That is, if you’re interested.”

“I am!” said Katy, “and I will come back.”  Then she had another thought.  “When I come back can I bring my brother and will you still be magic?”

“Please bring your brother,” answered Magic Tree.  “Yes, I always have my magic powers although I’ve found that most of the time only children see the Magic Forest.  To grownups, at least most of them, this is just another woods.  For children it’s different.  I’m not sure why.”

“If you come in the winter,” the Tree continued “And there are no leaves on my branches I can’t do much except talk.  I lose a lot of my magic in the winter.  I think it’s because I’m too cold.  But come when you want to.  I’m always right here, not going anywhere.”  The Magic Tree chuckled at the idea of pulling up roots.  

“Thank you,” said Katy.  “I’ll see you again as soon as I can.”

With that Katy took off on the path that led out of the woods.  She knew that she would have to hurry to be on time.  As soon as Katy cleared the woods she ran the rest of the way.

Katy was out of breath when she got home.  Her bother was playing in the driveway.

“Peter, tomorrow you have to go into the woods with me.”

“Why?”

    “Don’t ask,” she said.  “You wouldn’t believe me anyway.  Just come and see for yourself.”


Chapter  2     Katy Takes Peter

Peter was up early.  He was seven years old, two years younger than his sister.  He was glad Katy had asked him to go with her.  He’d been in the forest before but not alone.  The forest is a big place.  He didn’t want to get lost.

Peter heard Katy moving in her bedroom.  That meant they could get an early start.  Peter was eager to get going.  His days with Katy were fun and usually full of surprises.

Peter didn’t like to make his bed or empty wastebaskets into a trash sack which went into a can in the garage.  But these were his regular jobs and he did them quickly.  He ate a bowl of cereal and toast.  He wasn’t hungry, but knew his mother would insist he eat before going off.  Peter did like his other job, feeding their cat Nicholas.  Nicholas slept on Peter’s bed every night.

Katy also had chores.   One was to weed their vegetable garden.  It was not large but that morning Katy stayed until every weed was gone.

Finished with the garden, Katy went inside to find Peter.  He was working on a puzzle.  Katy was tempted to join him but knew that if she started she wouldn’t get into the forest until they’d placed more pieces.  That would take time and she didn’t want to wait.

“I’m ready to go,” Katy said.  “Are you going?”

“I was hoping you wouldn’t forget,” said Peter.  “Did you tell Mom?”

“I told her I was going” said Katy, “But I wasn’t sure about you.  She is in the garden.  Go tell her you’re coming with me and I’ll get something in case we get hungry.”

Peter was back in a minute.  Together they packed sandwiches and something to drink.

Katy followed the path through the field and then the big orchard.  She often stopped as she was about to enter the forest to look for woodpeckers in old trees at the edge.  Her favorite was the red headed woodpecker but there were also downy and yellow bellied woodpeckers, all of which she loved to watch as they darted and pecked with a fast rat a tat, rat a tat tat tat

Katy knew many of the birds by name, partly because in the winter they came to a feeder by the window where she had breakfast and partly because Katy just liked birds.  She kept a book for identifying them by her bed.

On this particular day, however, Katy did not stop.  She looked over her shoulder to see that Peter was keeping up.  Katy was eager to get back to the clearing where she had been the day before.  Katy pictured the clearing perfectly.  On one side was a pond nearly covered with lily pads.  This time of year the pond was alive with frogs, fish and waterbugs.  On the other side of the clearing were bushes and small trees that eventually gave way to the larger trees that made up most of the woods.

What Katy remembered best from the day before was the really large tree that grew in the center of the clearing.  She wondered if the experience she had yesterday could have been real.

She was sure the tree had talked to her and had changed her into a bluebird.  Katy remembered flying and how free she felt doing spins and dives.   But Katy said nothing to Peter about the day before, or about Magic Tree or what she now guessed was an entire Magic Forest.  Katy thought it sounded too silly to talk about and that the best thing was for Peter to see for himself.  Maybe he’d tell her it was her imagination.

When they reached the clearing it was as Katy remembered.  She held Peter’s hand and went to the large tree.  She sat down between the roots and motioned to Peter to do the same.  Katy was careful that neither she nor Peter touched the tree.  Yesterday touching Magic Tree is what got everything started.  But today was different.  As soon as Katy and Peter were settled the same voice as the day before boomed out.

“Hello, Katy.  I see you brought a friend.  And who might he be?”

Katy knew the voice was Magic Tree.  She what Peter was thinking.  Katy thought about pretending she’d heard nothing, - - or maybe she should ask Peter where he thought the voice was coming from.  But in the end Katy decided to tell Peter about Magic before he had a chance to be afraid.

“Peter, yesterday I came into the woods like I often do.  Something special happened that I can’t explain except to say it is magic.  When I sat down by this tree it started talking to me, just like it did now.  I found out its name, which is Magic Tree.  And then, please try to believe this, Peter, Magic Tree changed me into a bluebird.  I flew around the pond over there, and then Magic Tree changed me back.”

Peter started to wiggle like he was about to stand up.   “Wait,” said Katy.  “Don’t be scared.  I want to talk to Magic Tree.”

Turning to the tree she continued, “This is my brother, Peter.  He has not been in the forest as much as I have.  I asked him to come today, partly so he could meet you and partly so I would have someone to talk to about the forest.  Magic Tree, please talk to Peter so he knows that you are friendly.”

As often happened before he spoke Magic Tree laughed.

“Peter,” said the tree “You look like a fine young man, but I notice your knees are shaking.  You don’t have to feel that way around me.  I haven’t done so much as drop an acorn on even one boy.  I will say, however, that I was tempted a few years ago when some kids started to carve their initials in my side.  I’ll never forget that,” said Magic Tree.”  “For one thing it hurt.  Finally I’d had enough.  I dropped a branch close to the boy with the knife.  He jumped when it missed him and ran away.  But not much later he came back and was about to start carving again.”

“This time I decided to punish him a little.  I called my friend Black Crow and asked her to dive bomb the ill mannered kid.  It didn’t hurt him but he sure cleared out fast.  One thing you’ll learn in the Magic Forest is that it’s nice to have friends.  They come in real handy.  And Black Crow is one of the best.”

They all laughed at the picture of the crow helping out Magic Tree.  Katy started to relax.

“Peter,” said Magic Tree, “that was years ago and I carry no animosity.”

Magic Tree was watching and could see that Peter didn’t understand the word animosity, so the giant oak went on to explain.  “When I say I carry no animosity I mean that I’m not still mad, not at that boy or any boy.”

The tree kept talking.  “Yesterday I had a nice time with your sister.  She seems like quite a special young lady and since you are her brother I’ll bet you’re okay too.  I think we could be friends.  How about it Peter?”

Peter did not answer.  He thought about what had been happening.  He decided to talk with Katy and not the voice that claimed to be a tree.

“Katy, are you playing a joke on me?  I don’t want to be tricked.  Who is really talking to us?”

“The tree,” said Katy.  “I didn’t believe it at first either.  Part of the reason I didn’t tell you when I came home yesterday was because I didn’t think you would believe me.”

“I’m still not sure I believe you” said Peter.  “What’s the other reason you didn’t tell me?”

“Because I was afraid you wouldn’t come,” said Katy.   “I was scared yesterday when Magic Tree started talking to me.  If I had known before I went into the woods what was going to happen I might have stayed home.  I thought you would feel the same way.  I did trick you by not telling you.  But I did it so you’d come.”

Magic Tree, who had been listening, interrupted.  “Look,” said the tree “I don’t like you talking about me as if I don’t exist.   I can hear what you’re saying and I went through all the business yesterday about whether I am a tree with special powers who can talk.  Let me say with even more certitude, (Magic Tree liked to use big words) I am entirely real, as real as the sky or the forest or all the birds and animals who live here.”

“I guess I believe you,” said Peter.  He looked at Katy who nodded.

“I could tell that Katy was excited when she came home last night,” said Peter “She’s right.  I would never have believed her if she had told me she’d been talking to a tree.”

“It’s hard for you to get used to I suppose,” said the Tree, “But I’ve been this way since I sprouted from an acorn.  Talking and magic are normal to me.”

Just then a canary, a wild canary with black wings and an all yellow body, darted past Katy and Peter.  It landed in a bush beside the pond.  Katy saw it.

“See that bird, Peter?  It’s a canary.  Yesterday I was a bluebird, and like that canary, I was flying.”

“What she means, Peter, is that I used some of my magic power and changed Katy into a bird, a beautiful bluebird to be exact, so she could see what flying is like.   She did fly all over.”

“Changing things into other things,” continued the Tree “Is one of my best powers.  Metamorphasizing is what I like to call it.”  Tree, of course, knew there is no such word as metamorphasizing..

“I can change creatures in the forest or boys and girls like you under two conditions.  First, the thing I change has to want to be changed, and second my power only extends to this clearing.  I can’t do my magic back in the deep woods or on the other side of the pond, for example.  My magic just doesn’t reach that far.  If Katy had flown far from me yesterday I could not have changed her back unless she returned.  Don’t ever forget that, Peter.”

“What the Magic Tree is saying about me flying is true,” said Katy.  “At first it was scary but after a while I even forgot that I wasn’t a bird.  Peter, do you want to do it too?  I mean maybe we could fly together.”

“Could we, Magic Tree?” asked Katy.

Peter and Magic Tree started to talk at the same time.  The tree said he would let Peter be a canary, but Peter said he wasn’t ready.

Magic Tree suggested that Katy go ahead.  Peter could watch and decide if he wanted to join her later.  This seemed like a good idea, and Katy was transformed into a yellow bird with black wings.  Her instructions were the same as the day before, to stay close and to fly three times around Magic Tree when she wanted to be changed back.

Katy flew off, but not out of the clearing.

After a few minutes Peter asked, “Can I try flying too?  I’ll come back quickly if that’s okay.”

“Sure, and I’ll be waiting,” said Magic Tree. With that Peter also became a fast flying yellow bird.

At first Peter stood on the ground where Magic Tree had placed him.  A moment later he jumped as high as he could, flapped both wings and landed on a small branch. He pecked at his side.  He could feel it.

Peter saw Katy in a nearby bush.  He flew to a willow tree on the bank of the pond.  Katy joined him.  The two of them did every kind of circle, loop and spin that a bird has ever done.  Peter flew as fast and as high as he dared.  With each move he gained confidence, and became a better flyer.  He lost the fear he’d had at first.  It was the most fun Peter had ever had.  He decided the magic powers must be real.

Chapter 3   Peter’s Mistake

Katy and Peter could not go to the forest on the next day or the next.  Three days later they returned.

“Where have you been,” asked the Tree?

Katy answered.  “Our cousins came for a visit.”

“Why didn’t you bring them?  I like meeting new people”

“We wanted to,” said Peter.  “But they played a computer game the whole time.  It was about a battle between two make believe kings.  We told them there was real magic in the woods but they wouldn’t go.  They didn’t leave the computer even to get dressed.  Our mother said we had to keep them company.  I hope they don’t come back.”

“That behavior is inexplicable,” pronounced the Tree.

Magic Tree realized again that Peter did not understand.  “Inexplicable means something can’t be explained,” said the tree. “But what brings you here today?”

“You said you’d tell us about the magic in the forest,” Katy replied.

“There is so much magic here.  Sometimes I lose track of who does what.  But get comfortable and don’t be surprised at what I’m going to tell you.  Magic can be hard to believe.”

Sitting between the roots, Peter and Katy waited for the tree to go on.

“First,” said Magic Tree “you need to know that almost all the things that happen here are good things.  Nearly all the magic is helpful or at least fun.  It won’t harm or hurt anyone.  The animals and birds are friendly.  They help each other in unusual ways.  Take the squirrels for instance.  When a storm is likely to blow a nest and the babies to the ground the squirrels scramble up and hold it until the wind quiets down.  Or in the winter if the squirrels can’t find acorns the rabbits bring food from their burrows.  You’ll find that almost everyone here helps everyone else.”

“But,” the Tree went on, “there are exceptions.  Not everything in the forest is safe, or what I’d call good magic.  One of the worst is the Thorn Apple tree.  That piece of timber is one bad guy.“

“Do you know what a Thorn Apple looks like?” said Magic Tree.

“No,” they answered.

The Tree began to describe the Thorn Apple, but hardly got started when a black crow flew into the clearing and landed at Katy’s and Peter’s feet.  Magic Tree stopped the discussion.

“Hi old friend.  It’s been a while.  Where’ve you been?”

“The blue jays were giving the fox family a hard time” said the crow.  “Every night those birds would caw and caw so the fox kits couldn’t get to sleep.  In the morning they’d start up again, even before it was light.  Those birds are full of mischief.  I stayed a week, chasing them away day and night.  The jays thought the whole thing was a big joke.  It was not, not for the foxes.  Finally those delinquent birds gave up and I came home.”

The crow finished.  “Who are these two?  Friends?  Do they know about you and me and the forest?”

“They are friends,” said the Tree.  “We were just getting acquainted.  I was telling them about the magic when you came by.”

Peter surprised Katy.  “Magic Tree changed us into canaries when we were here last time.  We flew all around the clearing.”

“If you want to try it again,” said the crow “we can fly farther away.  There is a lot to see.  I’d go with you so you wouldn’t get lost.  ”

“We’d love that,” said Katy.

Magic Tree reminded them how to change back, by flying around the tree three times.

The tree went on, “I was telling you that most of the forest is a good place, full of wonderful surprises.  But there are dangers.  When you leave the clearing I can’t help you if you get into trouble.  Black Crow will take care of you, but do as she says.”

With that Katy and Peter found themselves perched on a branch. They were wild canaries like they had been a few days before.  The crow flew up to join them and asked if they were ready to go.

“I think so,” said Peter.  Katy nodded.  She was ready.

They flew off together.  

*    *    *    *    *

Katy, Peter and Black Crow flew low, then high, then low again.  They stayed together because Crow said that getting lost in the deepest parts of the forest would be easy to do, especially since it was their first time.  By flying low they saw everything on the ground, things they’d miss from a distance.  Flying high had advantages too; from far above the trees they could see large parts of the forest all at once.

Peter was surprised when they passed over a lake, much bigger than the pond near Magic Tree.  He could tell that the lake was deep because of the dark blue color.  He wondered what was in the lake and if magic were there too.

While Peter preferred the view from up high, Katy liked the things she could see just above the treetops.  She recognized some of the flowers and most of the animals.   One flower was as tall as a small tree.  Its stalk held a giant rose.  And there were orchids.  Katy had seen orchids in a greenhouse.  Her mother said they wouldn’t live outside in winter.  That was not true in the Magic Forest.

Katy also wondered about an animal that had two spiral horns and a very long tail that dragged on the ground.

After a while Crow said they should stop and rest. They landed in a walnut tree.  The walnuts were starting to ripen and smelled good inside their green covers.

Peter spoke first.  “How big is that lake we passed?”

“It’s big,” said the crow.  “About a ten minute flight just to go over it, and deep too.”

Peter tried to smile to show he already knew the lake was deep, but he was a canary and couldn’t.  

“What’s in the lake?” he asked.

“I don’t know for sure,” replied the crow “I’m told that in the deepest parts are fish that usually only live in the ocean.  If that is true they’ve learned to survive in fresh water because oceans are full of salt.  Maybe you already knew that.”

“I did.  Last year when we were on vacation I went swimming in the Atlantic Ocean and swallowed a mouthful of water.  I could taste the salt.”

Katy inquired about the giant flower.  Crow said it only grew in the Magic Forest and that the bloom lasted all summer.

Peter asked, “Can I explore a little by myself?”

Crow cocked her head one way and then the other.  She took a long time to answer.

“Yes, but don’t go far and promise me you will pay attention.  The forest is big and I don’t want to have to go looking for you.”

“I promise,” said Peter.  He jumped from his perch, flapped his wings and disappeared.

Peter was on his own, exploring, seeing things he’d never seen before and flying fast.  He was excited.  He forgot his promise and the warnings of Black Crow and Magic Tree.  

After a while Peter decided to return.  He headed in the direction he thought was right.  It wasn’t.  Nothing looked familiar.  He tried other directions, flying in circles hoping to find the big lake and Black Crow or Katy.

Soon Peter realized he was lost.  

He saw a tree with bees pollinating the blossoms.  Between the blossoms were small apples.  They looked good to a wild canary and Peter was hungry.  Forgetting his predicament, Peter flew to the tree and perched on one of the inner branches.  He tried to hop nearer to a large apple.  He couldn’t.  His feet were stuck to the branch like glue.

Peter noticed sharp thorns on every branch and remembered what he’d been told about the magic in the forest being good and not hurting anyone.  He also remembered at least one of the exceptions.  Peter realized he was in the Thorn Apple tree.

He pulled and tugged but couldn’t free himself.  He looked at the thorns.  They were sharp.  He looked more closely and thought the thorns are closing in.  He closed and opened his eyes and checked again.  They were moving slowly, but definately closer.

He remembered being home that morning and how Nicholas had snuggled up on his pillow.

He called for help, but all that came out was a chirp, and another chirp and still another.  Peter kept it up, wondering why his voice that had been so strong in the morning seemed to be gone.

He knew he’d made a mistake by not being careful and paying attention to Crow and Magic Tree.  He made a promise to himself, he’d be much smarter the next time, if he got the chance.


Chapter 4   Peter Finds New Friends

Although Peter’s cries were hardly louder than rustling leaves, other canaries could hear them from a long way off.  In a few minutes a bird just like Peter appeared in the next tree.  Soon another came and then more.  Peter counted nine canaries.

He tried to tell them what had happened, but he couldn’t say words; he could only chirp.

A raspy voice whispered, “Surely you don’t think the giant oak is the only tree with magic powers.”

Peter shivered.  He guessed that Thorn Apple was talking to him.

Then Peter’s voice came back.  “I never thought about the magic in other trees, but I was told that in the forest all the magic is good, or at least fun.”  Peter knew this was not exactly what Magic Tree had said, but he thought a positive approach would be best.  

“Well,” said Thorn Apple “You might not think about the magic, but I think about it a lot.  When I compare what I can do to the powers of Magic Tree it makes me mad.  Why should I have second rate stuff?  I use my thorns to poke a little here and there.  Does that make me bad?  What are thorns for if not to catch something now and then?”  Thorn Apple laughed.  It was not a laugh that made Peter feel better.

“What happens if you catch a bird?” said Peter.

“I just leave it until my friend Red Buzzard comes to take it away, usually in a week or so, sometimes more.”

“Sounds awful.  And unfair,” said Peter.  “A little bird can’t hurt you.”

“True enough, but is it fair for everyone to love Magic Tree and not me?  Maybe the Forest should pay more attention to how I was cheated.  My magic is second rate.  Most of the birds and the animals in the forest have better magic.  If they’d put themselves in my shoes, or my roots so to speak, maybe they’d be more on my side.  But I gave up on getting sympathy long ago - - - Things are the way they are.”

“Thorn Apple, except to you, I’ve lost my voice.  Do you know why I can only chirp?”

“Sure I do.  As soon as you landed I fixed it so you could only talk to me.  That’s one of my powers.  I use it almost every time.  Most of the things I catch won’t speak to me otherwise, especially when they’re stuck on me if you know what I mean.  Ha!” said the Tree.  “I am going to make an exception with you.  You seem brave.  In a couple of minutes you will be able to talk.  Let’s see what you do with that.”  Then Thorn Apple went silent.

As soon as he could, Peter addressed the canaries.

“Can you hear me?”  

The smallest canary answered.  “Yes.  We heard your chirps and knew you were in trouble, but that’s all.  What happened?”

Peter recounted how he left Black Crow and Katy and got lost.  He admitted he’d been warned about danger in the forest, but landed before recognizing Thorn Apple.

“We too were warned by our elders never to go near Thorn Apple.  We didn’t know why until now.”

“I can’t move,” said Peter.  “The thorns are close and getting closer.  At this rate I don’t think I’ll last ‘til morning.”

“We’ll try to help,” replied one of the yellow birds.  “We were told to find blue jays if we ever got into trouble with Thorn Apple.  The Blue Jay Brothers were here yesterday.  If they are still in this part of the forest we’ll find them.”

“Thank you!  I really mean it,” said Peter.  “Please hurry.”

“We will,” replied another of the canaries.  “And some of us will go for Black Crow too.”

With that the nine canaries divided into three groups of three birds each.  One group went looking for Black Crow and Katy and the other two went in different directions searching for the Blue Jay Brothers.

*    *    *    *  

The first canaries were back in no time.  They had good news.

“We found the blue jays.  They were playing on the beaver dam by Sliver Creek.  We told them we needed help with Thorn Apple.”

“Are they coming?” whispered Peter.

“We think so,” said the smallest canary, “But you know those boys.  We won’t know for sure until they get here.”

Next to arrive was Black Crow, followed by Katy and more canaries.

“Peter, are you all right?” asked Black Crow.

“Yes, but do you know about the thorns?  I can’t get away.”

“Of course I do.  Why do you think Magic Tree warned you about Thorn Apple?”  Crow tried to be reassuring,   “We’ll get you out; I’m just not sure how.”  Crow turned to the canaries.  “Did you find the Jays?”

“They’re coming.”

Crow shook her head but need not have worried.  The Jay Boys arrived with a display of fancy flying.  They liked to show off.  When they saw Black Crow, however, they stopped short, landing as far away as possible but still within hearing distance.

“What’s the matter big boys,” said Crow.  “Afraid of me? ”

“You weren’t too friendly the last time you saw us,” said one of the brothers.

“And you know why,” said the crow.  “How are you called by the way?  I never did learn your names.”

“Jay O and Jay T,” said one of the brothers.  “Pretty simple compared to our sister.  Her name is Beautiful Morningstar Opal.  We call her B.M.O.”

The jay started to go on, but Black Crow held up a wing.  “Stop!  I don’t need to hear about your sister.”  

Crow went on, “A canary, who is really a boy named Peter, is stuck in the Thorn Apple tree.  The canaries tell me you can get him out.”

“Maybe,” said Jay O.  “But it won’t be easy.  We tried to rescue a sparrow once and it didn’t work.  Thorn Apple saw what we were doing and put on a fast close.   What happened next was awful - - unless your name is Red Buzzard.”

Jay T spoke next.  “What we can do that most birds can’t is land only on the thorns.  It’s tricky - - takes some pretty good flying to do it, without touching the sticky parts.  Give us time and we can peck around Peter’s feet.  It’s slow work and not easy.  With sparrow we ran out of time.”

“You’ve got to try,” said Crow.  “I’ll talk to Thorn Apple and distract him.”

“I have another idea,” Katy piped in.   “Why don’t we ask one of the beavers to help?  If Thorn Apple tries to close up, the beaver can take a piece out of Thorn Apple’s trunk.  That should stop him.  A beaver can chew up a tree in no time.”

“Great idea, “said Jay T.  “Charlie Beaver would do it; we were just with him.  Nobody can take a tree down faster.”

The littlest canary said, “I’ll go,” and flew off to find Charlie.

*    *    *    *    *

Crow thought Peter would be safer if Thorn Apple had things to think about.  She started a conversation.

“Thorn Apple, why are you so mean?  This boy wants to go home.  He didn’t pay attention when Magic Tree told him about danger, but that’s no reason to end up as food for Red Buzzard.  Let him go.”  And then Black Crow made a mistake.

“You don’t belong in the Magic Forest,” said the crow.  “You’re not much better than a weed.”

This was not the way to approach Thorn Apple.

“If I could get you on one of my spikes I would,” said Thorn Apple.  “You are such a goodie goodie.  As for the boy, I don’t care much one way or the other.  But he’s here; he’s stuck and he’s mine.”

“I’m not happy,” said Thorn Apple.  “It goes back to when I was a young seedling.  I had magic, but not as much as that tree friend of yours.  I can’t change anything into anything.  And I can’t call out to the animals or birds in the woods.  I can only wait and see what comes my way.”

“I want company and I know how to get it.  I cover my branches with glue.  When a bird or squirrel comes to visit, they stay and talk to me.  I like that.  Red Buzzard disposes of whatever I catch.  The arrangement works fine.  I get company and Buzzard gets...well, you know.”

The conversation, if you can call it that, went back and forth.  Crow and Thorn Apple were shouting but neither really heard the other.  No mind was changed.

Fortunately the little canary did find Charlie, who said he’d come right away.  On land, however, the beaver was slow.  To make matters worse, he took a wrong turn.

When Beaver failed to show up, Peter started to cry.

“Even a plodder like Beaver should be here by now,” said Jay O.  He flew off to look for Charlie.

There was only one fork in the path from the beaver dam to the Thorn Apple tree.  Unfortunately Beaver took the wrong one.  Jay O caught up to him, but lost precious minutes.  “Charlie,” he said “You’re going the wrong way.  Follow me and hustle.”

The beaver did as he was told and the jay never left his side.  Jay O did everything he could to make his friend move faster, even pecking on Charlie’s tail when their pace slowed.  It was a good thing Jay O stayed on the job.  Charlie was not used to overland trips.

Finally the jay and the beaver came into view.

 “Charlie,” Peter shouted “I need help!”

The mistake Peter made was not waiting until the beaver was closer because Thorn Apple heard Peter’s shout too.  The tree immediately began closing his branches.  “You’re not getting away,” snorted Thorn Apple.

Black Crow saw what was happening and so did the jay brothers.  They took action.  Katy said if she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes she would not have believed what happened.  

Even though the beaver was bigger and heavier than the birds, Crow grabbed Charlie by the back of the neck and both jays went to Charlie’s flat tail where they could get a good grip.  They picked Beaver up and flew him to the base of the tree.  It only took seconds.

Beaver knew what to do.  “Stop closing those thorns and let the boy go or you’ll be sorry.”

“Never!” said the tree.

With that Beaver took an enormous bite.  “Ow . . .” cried Thorn Apple.  “That hurts!!!”

Crow and Katy both answered, “Let him go!”

“Never. . . not ever!” replied Thorn Apple.  He closed the nearest thorn so it pricked Peter’s wing.

Charlie Beaver looked at Black Crow.  Crow said “You have to.  I’m sorry but there’s no other way.”

Beaver nodded and in a few seconds cut his way around the entire trunk.  Thorn Apple gave out a sad cry and immediately wilted.  Peter fell off the branch, avoided a thorn and fluttered to the ground.

The cheers were loud.  Even Magic Tree could hear them.

Black Crow spoke to the Jay Brothers, and to Charlie Beaver and the canaries, “You’ve been great friends.  We are rid of Thorn Apple.  I wish it didn’t have to end that way, but we had no choice.  You saved a life.”

“My life,” said Peter.  “Without you I’m just not sure - - - ”    He tried to say more but couldn’t.

To Peter and Katy the crow went on, “It’s late, past time for us to get back to Magic Tree.  - -  Go now, as fast as you can.”
  
*     *     *     *     *

When Katy and Peter got home their father, Mr. Jefferson Kamp, was waiting.  “I was starting to worry.  Were you in the woods?”

“We kind of got lost,” Peter replied.

Mr. Kamp hugged both children.  “Be careful, I don’t know how we’d find you in the dark.”

“We’re getting to know the forest better every time we go,” Katy said.  “We will be more careful.”  She narrowed her eyes at Peter.

Mr. Kamp didn’t notice.  “When I was your age,” he said, “I lived near mountains.  Between the mountains were rivers.  One river had a waterfall and behind it was a cave.  The cave was my favorite place.  When I went there I made up fairy tales.  I know it sounds strange but I think some of them were real.”

Katy replied in her teasing voice, “That gives me an idea, Dad; we’ll make up a fairytale next time we go to the forest.”   She smiled and went inside.  


Chapter 5     Worse Than A Forest Fire

At breakfast Katy asked, “Should we go today, Peter?”

He shook his head, “No.”

“You know what Dad said the time you fell off the horse.  Get right back on.  I think you should, Peter.”

Mrs. Kamp put her coffee down.  “Falling off a horse?  That was a year ago.  What are you talking about?”

Peter started to reply but Katy held up her hand.  “Peter got stuck in a tree yesterday.  I don’t want him to be afraid to try another tree,” said Katy.

Peter scowled, “I’m not afraid of trees!”

“Well I’m going whether you do or not,” said Katy.

“I’ll go.  Climbing a tree doesn’t scare me.”

*     *     *     *

As soon as they entered the clearing, Magic Tree began to speak.

“There is an all creatures meeting today on Charlie Beaver’s dam.  Everyone is supposed to go.  I can’t of course.  My roots are too deep.  I want you to go.  It will be a chance to meet more of my friends.  And I need to know what the meeting is about.  Something’s up.  Diana Coyote doesn’t call meetings on short notice for nothing.”

“We’ve never been to the beaver dam,” said Katy.  “I don’t want to get lost, and Peter doesn’t either.”

“I thought of that,” said the Tree.  “Black Crow is coming to fill me in on what she knows.  Crow can guide you to the dam, … if you pay attention.”  The tree paused and dropped acorns near Peter’s feet.

“I will; I promise.”  Peter’s face got red.

“We all make mistakes,” said Magic Tree.  “I only said what I did because you are friends.  I don’t want anything untoward to happen to you.”  The Tree explained, “Untoward means I don’t want you to get into trouble.  Like I said yesterday, not all of the magic here is good.  There are exceptions.”

In her strongest voice Katy said, “I think we should know the exceptions.”

“In due time,” answered Magic Tree.  “For now if you go with Crow the only danger on the way to the beaver dam is Muddy Swamp.  The bog - - that’s what I call it - -  it looks safe, like you can walk across, using dead logs and little clumps of grass.  But if you slip you will sink, maybe out of sight.  And even if you don’t, you’ll get stuck and need help to get out.”

Magic Tree continued, “Muddy Swamp is not like Thorn Apple.  Swamp wants to help and will tell you the safest way, practically guiding every step.  And if you do slip, Swamp will call for help to get you out.  Still, it’s dangerous.  Take the longer path.  I’m sure that is what Black Crow will say too.”

Black Crow arrived in time to hear Magic Tree’s warning.  “That is what I say,” said the crow.  “Cutting across Muddy Swamp is shorter.  Probably saves half an hour on the way to the beaver dam - - if you’re walking.  But it’s not worth the risk.”

Magic Tree asked the crow what she knew about the all creatures meeting.

“Not much,” replied Black Crow, “nobody knows except Diana Coyote and she’s not saying.  When I asked about the meeting she said, Just be sure you’re there.”

“Makes me all the more curious,” said the Tree.  “Diana came by the clearing a few days ago.  We talked, nothing special, now this meeting.  What’s so urgent?”

“You’ve got us to fill you in,” said the Crow, “Assuming Katy and Peter are going too.”

“Should we change into a bird and fly?” said Katy.  “Wouldn’t that be quicker?”

“It would,” answered the Tree, “But I want my friends to meet you.  It’s important that they know you’re not a bluebird or canary.  They’ll be more willing to share their magic.  You’ll like them.  The feeling will be reciprocated I’m sure.”  This time the tree didn’t stop to explain reciprocated.  Peter would have to ask Katy.  

“Follow me,” said Black Crow.  “And stay on the path.”

*     *     *     *

It took the travelers an hour to reach the dam.  On one side were large animals from the forest.  Black Crow recognized the Fox family, a bear, a coyote, a moose and the strange animal with horns and a large tail that Katy thought looked like a unicorn.  On the other side of Silver Creek were small creatures - - rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, and groundhogs.  The branches of every tree were occupied too.  When a red tail hawk circled to land there was no space.  The sparrows saw the problem and made room.  It was a good thing because hawks sometimes make a lunch or dinner of sparrows.  

Katy and Peter found a spot on the dam near Black Crow.

Katy knew about beavers from reading.  She studied the dam.  It was taller than her father and much wider than it was tall.  Made of mud and held together by branches and sticks, the dam went from one side of Silver Creek to the other, longer than the distance across Magic Tree’s clearing.

The dam made the water back up, forming a pond.  Katy guessed the pond was deep.  Near the center she saw round domes of mud and sticks.  She knew these were the beavers’ homes and that the only way to get into them was to swim underwater and come up inside.  Katy wondered whether the beaver lodges had rooms or more than one entrance.  She thought about asking Magic Tree to change her into a beaver the next time she came to the Forest.

“See over there!” Peter interrupted.  “I think that is Charlie Beaver.”  

Katy looked where Peter was pointing.  She stood up and waved.

Charlie noticed the two children and swam to where they were sitting.  “Who are you?” said the beaver.  

“Our names are Katy and Peter.  You met us when we were canaries.  Magic Tree changed us.  Peter got stuck on the Thorn Apple tree.  You saved him.”

“Oh, I’ll never forget that day.   No one misses Thorn Apple.   But it’s nice to meet the real you.  What brings you here?”

“Magic Tree is curious about the meeting.  Tree asked us to come and report back.”

“Tree’s right to be curious, but I hope it doesn’t happen,” said Beaver.  He slapped his tail and climbed the dam to where Katy and Peter were sitting.

“What doesn’t happen?  Bad magic?” said Peter.

“Nothing like that,” replied Beaver.  “Coyote will explain.”

*  *  *   *

Diana Coyote was the leader of the Magic Forest.  She stood at the center of the dam and called the meeting to order.

The creatures grew quiet and adjusted their positions.

Diana Coyote began, “I won’t beat around the bush.  We are in trouble.”  

The birds and animals remembered how Diana handled their last emergency, a forest fire.  The fire started after a lighting storm.  Diana instructed the groundhogs to build a barrier of dirt in front of the fire.  Then she called the squirrels to clear the area of loose sticks and leaves so the fire would not spread.

The larger animals formed a line from Silver Creek to the flames.  The beavers filled pumpkins with water and passed them to the animals on shore.  From there the water was delivered from animal to animal, all the way to the fire.  It took teamwork.

The larger birds, like Black Crow and the hawks helped too.  They carried water from the pond in hollow gourds, dropping their loads exactly where needed.  By nightfall the fire was extinguished.

Afterward the creatures of Magic Forest were proud of working together and grateful for Diana Coyote’s leadership.

This time, however, Diana’s voice quivered.  She seemed afraid.  “Yesterday,” she began, “I learned that the forest has been sold to a company that builds stores.  They plan to put roads in the forest, and drain the swamp.  We are the future site of a destination mall; that means a large shopping center with restaurants, a parking garage and probably rides for kids.  People come to a destination mall from all over, lots of people.”

Black Crow waved her wing, wanting to be recognized.  “Yes, Black Crow,” said Diana Coyote.

“Are you sure about this?” asked the crow.  “How did you find out?”

“I have a friend, a seeing eye dog who belongs to the clerk of Madison County,” replied Diana Coyote.  “I visit him at the edge of the forest every week or so.  My friend is in the courthouse every day and says the new owner applied for a permit to build.  The permit was approved, and the plan is to begin road construction as soon as a survey is completed.”

One of the bears spoke next.  “That is the worst possible news.  People are afraid of bears.  If they develop the forest there will be no room for us, or any of the big animals.  The rabbits and birds can still live here, but even for them it won’t be the same.  Can we change their minds?”

“I don’t know,” said Diana Coyote.  “We are the only really big forest left.  That makes us attractive to development and they have a building permit.  The law is on their side. … If they build roads and carve us up it may as well be a death sentence for you, Bear, and I’m afraid for me too.”

Katy whispered to Peter, “What if they put a road through Magic Tree’s clearing?  There’s not enough room.”  The sister and brother looked at each other and then at Black Crow.  The bird motioned for them to leave the meeting.


Chapter 6    Mr. and Mrs. Kamp Go to the Forest

After dinner Peter went to Katy’s room.  “What are you thinking?”  

“We need Mom and Dad’s help; that’s what I think.”

“But they don’t know about the forest.”

“They don’t have to, at least not everything.  Dad is always saying we should go hiking as a family, and I want to show Mom the orchids.  If we get them in there they’ll see what it’s like, and maybe understand.  A road through the forest, I’d hate it.  Black Crow could fly off somewhere, but Tree and a lot of the animals - - I just don’t know what they would do.”

“Magic Tree says most adults can’t see the magic.”

“We won’t know unless we try,” said Katy.

Peter agreed.   “I heard Mom tell Dad that we should do something this weekend.  Let’s say we want to go to the woods.”

*   *   *   *   *

The next day Katy made an announcement.  “I want to have a family meeting.”

Mr. Kamp laughed.  “I thought I was the one to call family meetings.”

“Don’t make a joke,” said Katy.  “This is important.”

That night they gathered at the kitchen table.

Mrs. Kamp turned to Katy.  “So, what is on your mind?”

“I want all of us to go into the woods this weekend,” said Katy.  “Peter and I have been there a lot lately and we want you to see it.”

“Sounds fine to me,” replied Mr. Kamp, “But what’s so important?”

Peter burst in, “Because we’re going to lose the forest if you don’t help.”

“Mom and I are supposed to help?  Doing what?”

Katy explained.  “A building company bought the forest and wants to make it, at least parts of it, a shopping center, a really big one.  They call it a destination mall.  If that happens there won’t be a forest.”

“Where are you getting this information?” asked Mrs. Kamp.  “I haven’t heard a word about this.”

Katy didn’t want to tell about the magic, at least not yet, so she stammered, “We hear things at school and, - - you know - - around.”

Mrs. Kamp suspected she was not getting the full story, but let the matter pass.

“So, can we go?”

“I suppose so,” said Mr. Kamp.  Mrs. Kamp nodded her approval and both parents went into the next room.  Katy and Peter heard them talking, something about kids and their imagination.

*  *  *   *   *

The next day Katy led the way, followed by Mr. and Mrs. Kamp and then Peter.  Katy walked fast as soon as they entered the forest.

“What’s the hurry,” said Mr. Kamp.  “I thought you wanted us to enjoy the hike.”

Katy slowed down.

Peter knew they were headed for the clearing and Magic Tree.

“I have to say, it’s more beautiful than I expected,” said Mrs. Kamp.  “The wildflowers are lovely and different.”

When they reached the clearing, Katy held her arms out so everyone would stop.

“Wow,” said Mr. Kamp.  “That is the biggest tree I’ve ever seen.  It’s an oak.”

“We know,” said Peter.

A rain of acorns fell from Magic Tree, forming a circle around the Kamp family.  They all noticed.

“How unusual,” said Mrs. Kamp.  “The wind made those acorns fall in a perfect circle.”

“That wasn’t the wind,” said Katy.

Her mother looked up.  “What was it then?”

“This is what we wanted to show you.”  Katy didn’t know what to say next.

“Magic Tree dropped those acorns on purpose,” said Peter.  “How else could they be in a circle?”

Then Katy went on, “The tree has a name.  It’s Magic Tree and that’s not all . . .”

Mr. Kamp interrupted.  “Whoa, what are you saying?”

“Magic Tree said you wouldn’t believe,” said Katy “ But try.  Peter and I met Magic Tree by accident.  We didn’t believe it at first either.  Then we saw the magic for ourselves.  We were even changed by it.”

With that, Magic Tree spoke up.  “I told you most grownups will never know the Magic Forest.  It’s too bad, but they can’t see it.”

“Did you hear that?” said Katy.

“What?” said Mrs. Kamp.  “I couldn’t make it out, but I did hear something.”

Katy replied, “Magic Tree said grownups don’t believe in magic so they can’t know the Magic Forest.”

Mr. Kamp laughed.  “I used to believe in magic, but that was a long time ago.”

At that moment Black Crow flew up, landing on a low branch, directly above Mr. Kamp.

“So, what’s going on here,” said the crow.  “Looks like the whole family.  Am I right?”

Black Crow and Magic Tree continued in conversation.  Katy and Peter could hear it all.  Mr. and Mrs. Kamp appeared to recognize only that something they did not understand was happening.

“You told us once, Dad, that you believed in fairy tales, at least the ones you remembered from the cave behind the waterfall.  Could you pretend you are a kid again?” asked Katy.  “Maybe then you could see the Magic Forest.”

“No harm in trying.”  He smiled and closed his eyes.

Magic Tree addressed Black Crow.  “Let’s do some magic,” said the tree.  “How would you like to be an eagle for a while?”

“Fine by me,” said the Crow.  “Is the usual rule in place, fly around three times to be changed back?”

“Right,” replied the Tree.

Where Crow had been perched there was now a large eagle.  Mr. Kamp opened his eyes.  Katy pointed across the clearing.  

“Whew, that’s something,” said Mr. Kamp.  “A crow was there a minute ago.”

With that Black Crow, or should we call her Crow/Eagle, left the branch and flew around Magic Tree.  On the third time she became herself.  “

Mr. Kamp watched.  “Strange,” he said.  “That bird that flew around the tree, I thought it was an eagle.  I must have looked too quickly.  It’s a crow.”

Katy hollered, “You saw the magic!  The bird you saw is Black Crow, a friend of ours.  Magic Tree can change things into other things, and change them back.  I’m sure that was a demonstration.  A crow to an eagle and back again.  It happened.  You saw it.”

Mr. Kamp took his hat off and rubbed his forehead.  He looked at Mrs. Kamp, and then at Magic Tree, and the branch where Black Crow had been an eagle.  He sat down.

“What happened?” said Mrs. Kamp.  “Are you all right?”

“I don’t know.  I saw something that I can’t explain except if you believe in magic.  And I haven’t since I was Katy’s age.”  

“Let’s get on with our walk,” said Mrs. Kamp.  “That will clear your head.”

Peter and his mother started down the trail to Charlie Beaver’s.

Katy stayed a little behind with her father.  She used the opportunity to tell what she knew about the Magic Forest and the meeting with Diana Coyote.

Mr. Kamp listened but said nothing.  When Katy finished, she wondered how much her father understood.

After a while Peter and his mother stopped on the path where it went past Muddy Swamp.  They waited for Katy and Mr. Kamp to catch up.  Mrs. Kamp looked around and pointed to something in the swamp.  She started in, holding on to a small tree to keep her balance.

“Stop!” cried Peter.

“I don’t mind if I get my feel a little wet,” said Mrs. Kamp.  “I see flowers in there I’ve never seen before.  One of them looks like an orchid.”

Muddy Swamp knew Mrs. Kamp did not know the danger.  “Your son is right, madam.  The mud in this swamp is deep.  You don’t want to get stuck.  It’s best just to stay out.”

“Peter!  It’s not polite to call your mother madam.”

“It wasn’t me.  That was Muddy Swamp.  Swamp is part of the magic here.  We were warned to never go in.  You could get stuck.”

This time it was Mrs. Kamp who looked startled.  “You kids are giving me fits.  Something’s going on and I’m not sure I like it.”

Before Peter could answer, Katy caught up.  She saw where they were and ran to her mother, “Don’t get any closer to the swamp.  It’s too dangerous.”

“I already heard that,” said Mrs. Kamp, “From the Swamp itself if you expect me to believe it.”

“Both you and dad have seen the magic!  I didn’t expect that to happen, at least not so fast.  I didn’t know whether you’d believe.”  Katy smiled.
  
“I’m not sure what to believe,” said Mr. Kamp.  He turned to Mrs. Kamp.  “Katy says the forest has been sold and the owner plans to build a destination mall.”

“I’d hate to see that,” said Mrs. Kamp.  “I’ve never seen such beautiful wildflowers.  Magic or not, I believe this is a special place.”

“I feel the same,” said Mr. Kamp.  “So many birds and animals.  One animal I’ve never seen before.  It has spiral horns and the tail is so long it drags on the ground.  Katy thinks it looks like a unicorn.  Very unusual.”

Peter was impatient.  “Are we going to go to the beaver dam?”  

“Yes, keep going,” replied Mr. Kamp.  “But stick together.”

*   *   *   *   *

When they reached the dam Katy climbed to the top where Diana Coyote had been the day before.  Peter followed, urging his parents to come too.

Mrs. Kamp said it was too steep.  Mr. Kamp agreed. They rested on a rock beside the creek.

Diana Coyote was watching from across the stream.  Like all coyotes she was both shy and curious.

She stepped out of the woods and said something to Katy and Peter.  They answered but Mr. and Mrs. Kamp could not make out what was said.

“What is that animal?” shouted Mrs. Kamp.  “Are you talking to it?”

“It’s a coyote,” said Katy.  “Her name is Diana.  She led the meeting where we learned about the destination mall.  We said we’d try to help.  She asked what we’ve done so far.  I told her we brought you, hoping you’d understand and help.”

“I haven’t believed in magic since I was ten,” said Mrs. Kamp.  “And you’ve given your dad and me an awful lot to think about.”

“Well I think we’ve seen enough,” said Mr. Kamp.  “This forest is worth saving, magic or not.  Tell Diana Coyote that we will help.”

Chapter 7     Preparing for Mr. Harold Dieter

The Kamps live in Granton, a small town where Mr. Kamp is a teacher in the high school.  Mrs. Kamp had been a principal in the elementary school until she retired when Peter was born.  The Kamps know almost everyone in Granton.

Mr. Kamp told Katy and Peter that he planned to talk with the chairman of the county zoning board.  “I know Alec Danner well,” he said.  “It must have been his committee that approved the building permit.”

The following day Mr. Kamp called his friend and asked to come by for a visit.  They met in Alec Danner’s office.

“Yesterday,” began Mr. Kamp “I went into the woods behind our house.  Our children go there a lot and wanted Jane and me to see it.  We were surprised.  It’s really big and unspoiled.  I’ve never seen so many birds and animals.  All kinds.  And Jane said the same thing about the flowers.  Some she’d never seen before, and Jane knows her flowers.”

“Anyway, our daughter Katy tells me the woods has been sold and the new owner plans to build a shopping mall.  I don’t know where she got that information.”

“She’s right,” said Mr. Danner.  “They bought the property a few months ago and applied for the building permit last week.  We had reservations, but we approved it.”

“Reservations?  Why?”

“They acted high and mighty.  They think they are doing us a big favor.  The mall will create jobs and probably put Granton on the map, but our committee isn’t sure being a destination is a good idea.  There are downsides.  Bringing a lot of people into town.  We won’t be the place you and I grew up in.  And we’ll lose our forest.  But we gave them the go ahead.  I hope it is the right decision.”

“Could you reconsider?” Mr. Kamp replied

“It’s hard to reverse a zoning approval without the owners “okay”.  If you want a reversal, contact a Mr. Harold Dieter.  See if you can get him on your side.  Dieter is one of the owners and is managing the project.  I doubt you’ll get anywhere but you can try.  I have his number.”

*   *   *   *   *

Mr. Kamp called Harold Dieter and was able to visit him that same day.

“Mr. Dieter,” began Jefferson Kamp, “I live behind the Granton woods that I understand you recently purchased.”

“I did, or my partners and I did,” replied Harold Dieter.  “It is a perfect site for our destination mall.  You folks in Granton have hit the jackpot.  The mall will bring people and activity to your, - - if you don’t mind my saying it, sleepy little town.”

“We like Granton,” said Mr. Kamp.  “I’ll admit it is quiet.  But let me tell you why I’m here.  Is there any chance you’d change your mind?”

“No.  Not a chance.  That woods is perfect or it will be once we clear the trees and drain the lakes.  By this time next year the roads and parking areas will be in.  You’ll see things taking shape.  And by a year from this winter we will be open for business.”

Mr. Kamp stood up.  No sense continuing this conversation he thought to himself.  He thanked Harold Dieter for his time and left.

As soon as Mr. Kamp got home he told his family about both meetings.  Everyone was disappointed.  

*   *   *   *   *

The next morning Katy and Peter returned to the Forest.

Reaching the clearing Katy spoke to Magic Tree.

“Yesterday my father had a meeting with a man named Harold Dieter.  He is one of the owners of the Forest.  Mr. Dieter told my dad that he and his partners will never change their mind about the mall.  He said roads would be put in right after they clear the trees.”    

“That makes me sick,” said Magic Tree “Just thinking about it.  I’m going to lose my leaves; I can feel it.”

“Not until Fall,” said Peter.  “Don’t your leaves drop in October?”

“Normally they do,” said the Tree.  “But once a man came into the clearing with a gasoline powered chain saw.  I was scared.  It gave me an awful feeling.  A week later I was naked, not a single leaf.  I feel the same way now.”

Katy began to cry. “What should we do?”

“We’ve got to tell Diana Coyote,” said Magic Tree.  “She will want to tell the other creatures.  Some of them can get away.  Finding Coyote may take some doing.  Would you mind changing into a bird?  You will cover a lot more ground from the air.”

“If that will help,” said Katy.

Peter nodded okay and the sister and brother again found themselves on a branch of Magic Tree.  They were canaries with yellow feathers and black wings.

“Where do you think we can find Diana Coyote?” said Peter.

“Head toward Charlie Beaver’s.  Take a look near Muddy Swamp as you go by.  If Coyote’s not there look at the dam and then go upstream.  Follow Silver Creek.  Diana likes to sit at the edge of the forest where the creek enters the woods.  There’s a big meadow.  If it is night and you can’t see her, you will hear her howls.”

Katy and Peter flew to a higher limb.

“Don’t leave yet,” said Magic Tree.  “Remember when I said there are other dangers in the woods?  It’s time for you to know about them.  You’re going to be on your own.”

“I’m glad you thought of that,” said Katy.  “I’d forgotten.”

“Well,” said the Tree, “There are two more things you need to know.  First, if you go near the big lake, the one you flew over with Crow, don’t eat the berries.  They’ll make you sleep.  Black Crow says she once found a bear in the middle of the berry patch.  Crow was able to wake the fellow up.  Turns out he’d been asleep for eight days.  That bear must have stuffed himself, but even one berry is too much.”

The Tree went on, “The other thing I want you to watch out for is a porcupine called Tubby.  He is old, fat and mean .  His quills are almost white, just black at the tips.  They’re like arrows, easy going in, but hard to pull out.  Tubby will put ‘em in you if he has the chance.  And don’t be surprised if he curls up as if he doesn’t see you.  That’s just so you’ll come close.  If you see Tubby, keep going.”

*   *   *   *   *

Magic Tree signaled that that was all.  Katy and Peter started toward the beaver dam, flying just above the trees.  Katy told Peter to look left, while she looked right.  When they reached Muddy Swamp they flew around it.  Muddy Swam was bigger than they expected.  There was no sign of Diana Coyote.  Then, without stopping, they flew over the big lake.

Minutes later they arrived at Charlie Beaver’s.  Their friend was playing water slap, a game to see whose tail can hit the pond and make the loudest noise.

The two canaries landed in a willow tree.  It was hard to get Charlie’s attention.  Finally Katy flew over the pond, barely above the beaver’s head.  This worked.

“What are you doing here?  You are Katy and Peter, right?”

“Yes.  We’re looking for Diana Coyote.  Have you seen her?”

“Not in several days,” replied Charlie.  “She comes for a drink every morning, at least she used to.”  

 “We have to find her,” said Katy.

“It’s important,” added Peter.

“If I see her, I’ll tell her you’re looking,” said the beaver who went back to playing water slap.

Katy remembered Magic Tree’s instructions.  She and Peter flew directly above Silver Creek, following its many curves.  Katy knew it would be faster to fly straight to where the stream entered the forest, if she knew where that was.  But, by following Silver Creek she could always find her way back.

They stopped to rest and Katy saw the animal that reminded her of a unicorn.  She took an extra minute and studied it.  The animal raised its long tail.  The gesture looked like a greeting.  Katy wanted to fly nearer and make friends.  Instead she bobbed her head in a return hello.

Rested, they flew on.

It took nearly twenty more minutes of flying to reach the edge of the forest.  They had never flown that far.

Finally, from the top of an oak, a big one, but not as big as Magic Tree, they could see across the meadow and in both directions along the edge of the forest.  They waited.  An hour passed.  Peter worried it would get dark before they returned to Magic Tree.

Reluctantly, Katy agreed.  They again took to the air, retracing their way along Silver Creek.  This time they didn’t stop until they reached the beaver pond.  Charlie was chewing on a tree.  Katy and Peter landed and asked again about Diana Coyote.  Charlie had not seen her.

They thanked the beaver and went back toward the big lake.  Katy continued to scan one side of the path and Peter the other.  They were almost to Muddy Swamp when they heard a howl and then another.  Peter thought it was coming from his side of the path.

“I think we have to find out,” said Katy.

Peter was not sure.  He didn’t want to leave the path.

Katy insisted.

They flew into the woods, slowly, remembering things they saw, to help on the way back.  The howls grew louder.  In another minute they saw the coyote.  Diana was sitting between two trees.   Her head was pointed to the sky.  She howled again.

Katy flew to a branch as close to the coyote as she dared.

“We were hoping to find you,” said Katy.

Diana looked their way.  “Who are you?”

“Magic Tree changed us into canaries so we could search more of the forest, - - to find you,” said Katy.  “Actually we are Katy and Peter Kamp.  We were at the meeting on the beaver dam when you told about the forest being sold.”

“I remember you,” said Diana Coyote.  “Why were you looking for me?”

“Our father met with a man named Harold Dieter, one of the new owners of the forest. We hoped he might change his mind about the mall, but Mr. Dieter said no.  He said they would be putting in roads right away and the mall would be open in a little more than a year.”

“Magic Tree said you needed to know.  I think to warn the other animals.  Tree also thought you might have an idea, - - some way to stop them.”

“I’m glad you told me,” said Diana Coyote.  Her ears usually pointed straight up.  Now they lay flat.  Her tail was down too and her eyes almost closed.  Diana Coyote looked sad thought Katy.  

Diana went on, “I will warn everyone.  For some of us, though, it won’t do much good.  For me, Bear and Two Horns there is no other place to go.”

“Two Horns?  Who is that?” Katy asked.

“An animal in our forest,” replied Diana.  “She has a long tail, so long it drags on the ground, and spiral horns.  She is everyone’s friend.”

“We’ve seen her,” said Katy.  “And I’m really sorry you have to tell everyone about the mall.  Isn’t there something we can do?”

“Two men came into the forest yesterday,” said Diana.  “They walked from the meadow along Silver Creek.  I followed them.  One man kept pointing to the big trees saying, “Those have to go.”  Then they talked about roads.  They said something about their boss coming on Saturday.”

“They must be part of the building company,” said Katy.  “I’ll bet their boss is Harold Dieter.”

“Magic Tree could drop a branch on him,” said Peter.  “That would slow things up.”

“No,” said Diana Coyote.  “We don’t want to make him mad.  Remember, there is no place like our woods.  The animals and flowers here don’t exist anywhere else in the world.  We need to show Mr. Dieter the forest.  Once he sees it he won’t want to spoil things.  I really think so.”

“I’m not so sure, but I hope you’re right,” said Katy.  “Peter and I will come on Saturday.  Maybe we can help.”

With that they returned to Magic Tree, circling three times.  As soon as they landed Katy told Magic Tree everything that happened and that they’d see him again on Saturday.  Magic Tree said he would ask Black Crow to find Mr. Dieter as soon as he entered the forest.  


Chapter 8      Meeting Harold Dieter and Too Many Cousins

 Katy was up early on Saturday morning.  She woke Peter.  They finished their chores and started to tell Mrs. Kamp that they would be in the woods.

“You can’t go yet,” said their mother.  “Your cousins are coming.  Wait for them.”

“We can’t,” said Katy.  “We promised we’d be in the forest first thing.”

Mrs. Kamp frowned.  “A little delay can’t matter.  You wanted them to go with you last time.  Remember?”  

“Yeah, and they wouldn’t,” Peter grumbled.

Katy was resigned to waiting.  She shrugged and sat down.  Peter joined her.  They waited.  It seemed like a long time before Richard and Riley, their cousins, arrived.

“We’ve been waiting for you,” said Katy.  “We are going into the woods; we told you about it, the forest behind our house.  Do you want to come?”

“Not really,” said Richard.

“What else is there to do?” said Riley.

Mrs. Kamp looked angry.

“Last time you did what you wanted,” she said.  “This time go with Katy and Peter.”

*   *   *   *

On the way to the clearing and Magic Tree, Katy tried to explain the forest.  She thought her cousins only pretended to listen.

“Magic Tree,” said Katy, “I brought my cousins, Richard and Riley.”

“Hello young folks,” said the Tree.  “You’ve come on a pretty important day.”

“Who are you talking to?” said Riley.

“We told you about Magic Tree,” said Peter.  “That’s who Katy is talking to.”

“Sure, and pretty soon it’s going to rain bubble gum,” said Richard.

Katy’s face got red.  

She turned to Riley.  “What’s your favorite animal?”

‘I don’t have one.”

“I do,” said Richard, “foxes.”

“Magic Tree could change you into a fox,” said Katy.  “Maybe then you’d believe.”

Richard stood ramrod stiff.  “Go ahead.  See if you can,” he said.

Nothing happened.

“Where’s the magic?  I don’t see any fox,” said Richard.

Katy turned to the Tree.  “Can’t you make Richard a fox?”

“I can, but he’s got to want to.  He said he wanted to be a fox, but he doesn’t.”

Katy was mad.  She changed the subject.  “Did you hear from Black Crow?  Any word on Harold Dieter?”

“Yes, Crow was here.  Dieter came into the forest first thing this morning. He’s with two others.  They are on the path upstream from Silver Creek, headed to the beaver dam.  By now they might be there.”

“Let’s go,” said Katy.  “We can show Mr. Dieter the forest.”

*   *  *  *  *

Katy and Peter knew the way, - - the path from Magic Tree to Muddy Swamp, then by the big lake and finally to Charlie Beaver’s dam.  Normally it took an hour.  This day it took longer.  Riley and Richard lagged behind and didn’t try to catch up.

When they finally approached the dam, Katy heard talking and stopped.  She motioned the others to stop also.

“Mr. Dieter,” said one of the men, “Once we take out the dam the pond will be no problem.”

“Okay, but be sure it’s gone.  We can’t have some kid falling in.”

Katy decided to make her presence known.  “Sir,” she said, “My brother and I know this forest well.  We heard you were visiting.  We could show you around, - - so you won’t get lost.”

“What are you talking about?  I own this place and I don’t need a bunch of kids to show me around.  In fact, you are trespassing.  Get out of here and while you’re at it, get off my property.”

No one had ever spoken to Katy or Peter like that.  All four children turned around, and started back.

No one said much except for Richard.  He complained that his feet hurt and they would have had more fun at home.  That’s just too bad, thought Peter.

They passed the big lake.  A bird flew by and landed.  It was Black Crow.

“Did you see the three men?” Crow  asked.

“Yes, and they told us we were trespassing,” said Katy.

“Want me to dive bomb them?” said Crow.

“I don’t think that would do any good, just make them madder.  We’re going to tell Magic Tree what happened and go home.  We’ll come back tomorrow.”  She motioned to Richard and Riley, “Without these two.”  

“I’ll watch Dieter and his friends,” said Crow.  “At least we’ll know what they see and if I get close enough, what they are saying.”

Crow flew off.

Katy and Peter started down the trail.  Richard and Riley followed, but kept falling behind.

At Muddy Swamp Peter said they should stop and let their cousins catch up.  Katy didn’t want to, but agreed.  They sat down beside the trail.  A porcupine ambled very slowly out of the woods onto the path.  It had white quills and was fat.

“That’s Tubby!” said Peter.

Katy and Peter moved to the side of the path.  They were glad when Tubby went in the other direction, toward the dam.  The porcupine was just out of sight when they heard Richard.

“Help!  Ow, Ow!  Help!  Get him away from me.  I’m being attacked.  Help!”

Katy and Peter ran back.  They reached the bend in the trail in time to see Tubby return to the woods.

Katy sat down beside Richard.  She counted nine quills, seven in one leg, and two in the other.

“What happened?” she said.

“Can’t you see?  That animal was in the middle of the path.  I hollered at it to move.  It didn’t so I gave it a kick, nothing really hard.  Then he turned on me.  Look at these things in my leg; they’re like needles.  They hurt!  Listen to me, I’m telling you they really hurt!”

“Do you want me to try to pull them out?”

Richard closed his eyes and nodded.

Katy took hold of one quill.  She used her thumb and three fingers, grabbing it near the bottom closest to Richard’s leg.

“Hang on,” she said, and gave a yank.

The quill came out.  Blood spurted from the wound.  Richard screamed, “Don’t do that!”

“You told me to.”

“I didn’t know what it would feel like.”

“What do you want me to do?” Katy asked.

“I can’t walk,” said Richard.  “Carry me.”

“You’re way too heavy,” said Katy.

Peter whispered to himself, “When Richard’s in pain, he’s really a pain.”

“Look,” said Peter.  “Here comes that animal, Two Horns.  Diana Coyote says she is nice.  Maybe she’ll help.”

Katy wasted no time explaining the problem to Two Horns.  The almost unicorn understood right away and went off into the woods.  She returned with a mouthful of green leaves.  She placed them gently around the quills in each leg.  She licked and rubbed the leaves until they made a paste, and then stood back.

Katy looked at Two Horns and then at Richard.  Two Horns flicked her long tail as if to say go ahead.

Katy took a quill and told Richard she was going to try again.  Richard bit his lip but this time the quill came out easily.  Katy then removed the remaining seven.

Richard looked at Two Horns.  He stood up, or tried to.  Katy helped but Richard screamed.  “It hurts too much.  I can’t walk.”

Katy turned to Two Horns.  The animal kneeled.  Katy helped Richard get on Two Horns’ back.  He held on and they started walking toward the clearing and Magic Tree.

When they arrived Katy reported every detail of the encounter with Mr. Dieter and his friends.  Magic Tree was glad that Black Crow was following the three men.

Katy said they should be getting home.  She pointed to Richard who was still on Two Horns back, and showing no sign of being ready to walk.

Magic Tree shook his largest branch and lowered it to just above Richard’s head.  “Young man,” said the tree, “You’ve had a tough day.  Although I wasn’t there, I pretty much know how things went with Tubby and his quills.  You were lucky that Two Horns came along.  Without her potion of forest leaves you’d still have those barbs.  Now, let me ask - - and I want an answer.”  Magic Tree used a stern voice that Katy and Peter had not heard before.  “Do you still not believe in the Magic Forest?”

Richard looked at the ground.  “I’m sorry, Mr. Tree,” he said.  “I believe now.  Yes.  And I’m grateful for Two Horns help and for Katy and Peter taking me.  I want to come back some time.  But are my legs ever going to stop hurting?”

“Believing should do it.  Your legs are better already is my guess.  Try walking,” said Magic Tree.

Richard got down from Two Horns.  He took a step and hopped on one leg and then the other.

“Looks pretty good to me,” said Magic Tree.

Richard smiled.  “Thank you, Magic Tree and Two Horns and Katy and Peter for letting me come.  My dad says I can be hard to get along with sometimes.  I bet this was one of those times.”  Richard hung his head, “It won’t happen again, I promise.”

Katy was surprised at what Richard said.  Peter was too.  Maybe they would come back on the cousins’ next visit, if there is still a Magic Forest thought Katy.

When they got home Mrs. Kamp was in the garden.  “How did it go today?” she asked.

Richard was the first to answer, “I’m glad you made us go, Aunt Jane.  There are things in that woods you wouldn’t believe.”

“Maybe I would,” she said.


Chapter 9       Getting What They Deserve

The next day Mr. Kamp got a phone call at breakfast.  It was the chairman of the zoning board.

“Jefferson,” said Alec Danner “The sheriff has been looking for that Harold Dieter fellow, and two friends since this morning.  Apparently they went into the woods, doing a survey.  That was yesterday and they haven’t returned.  The forest is big and the sheriff only has two deputies.  Dieter and the others are probably lost and plenty hungry, if not worse.  Didn’t you meet with him?  I thought he might have said something about what part of the forest he wanted to see.  If you have any ideas your help would sure be appreciated.”

“I did meet with him, but where he might be I don’t know.   I’ll call the school and ask for a substitute. Katy and Peter know the woods better than anyone.  Jane and I will go with them and we’ll start looking right away.”

“OK, I’ll let the sheriff’s office know.”

Mr. Kamp hung up and turned to Katy, Peter and Mrs. Kamp.  “I guess you heard my end of the conversation.  I don’t know how serious this missing person scare is, but I said we’d help.  It’s that Harold Dieter and two friends who are lost.  You kids get your clothes on and let’s get started.”

The Kamps entered the forest and went straight to Magic Tree.  Mr. Kamp asked Katy to report what they knew.  He was still not sure about talking to a tree.  

“We are looking for the man, Mr. Harold Dieter, who bought the forest,” said Katy.  “We told you about him yesterday.  We saw him at the beaver pond.  He and the other two men didn’t come back last night.  Did Black Crow follow them?  Have you heard anything?”

“Yes, I know all about it,” said the tree.  “The guys with Harold Dieter ate the berries at the big lake.  Crow tried to warn them by grabbing a berry and smashing it.  She thought they’d get the picture, but they threw stones at her.  They ate more than a handful and went to sleep right away.  Dieter tried to wake them by shouting and even kicking.  Of course it didn’t work.  When it started to get dark he left, but not in a direction to get out of the woods.  He had bad luck.”

“Oh, oh,” said “Katy.  “Don’t tell me he went to the swamp.”

“Exactly,” said Magic Tree.  “And he’s stuck there now.  Up to his arms I’m told.”

Mr. Kamp had been listening and this time he understood.  “We’ll get him out.  I’ve got a long rope.  I wish I’d brought it, but I can be back in less than an hour.  I know we passed the swamp the other day.  Do you kids know the way?”

Katy started to answer but Magic Tree interrupted.  “You can try to pull him out, Mr. Kamp, but there’s a problem.  The animals don’t want Mr. Dieter to get away.  I’ve never seen the Forest like this.  Even Diana Coyote can’t organize a rescue party.  And Muddy Swamp is being very quiet.  That is a bad sign because Muddy Swamp tries to help anyone who gets caught.  If Swamp won’t help he may sink.”

“And worst of all some of the bigger birds are bringing buckets of water in hollow gourds, like they did when we had the fire.  This time they are dumping them in the swamp around Mr. Dieter.  They are trying to make the mud deeper and more slippery.  I don’t see him getting out, at least not without the animals changing their mind.”

“I’m getting the rope anyway,” said Mr. Kamp and he took off toward home.

“Do you know the way to the swamp?” Katy asked Peter.

“Yes,” said Peter.

“Then you and Mom stay here and wait for Dad.  I’ll go ahead and see if there is anything I can do.”

“Be careful,” said Mrs. Kamp.  “One person in the mud is enough.”

*  *  *  *
When Katy reached Muddy Swamp, Black Crow was there along with almost everyone else.  Diana Coyote stood in the center of the trail, while two members of the fox family were visible in the tall grass.  The Blue Jay boys came and went, making a racket of loud caws.

Katy looked deeper in the woods, away from the swamp.  She could see a bear and the strange animal, Two Horns.  In the trees next to the swamp were squirrels.  They made a clucking noise. The birds cawed and chirped.  The bear growled and the foxes yapped.  Every animal was making noise and there was much moving about.  Katy turned to Black Crow.  “What’s going on?” she said.  “I’ve never seen the forest like this.”

“There’s been a big argument,” said Crow.  “Diana Coyote says we’ve got to save Mr. Dieter.  Everyone else is against it.  As for myself I feel sorry for him, but he might be getting what he deserves.”

“Diana Coyote is right,” said Katy.  “We can’t walk away.  Leaving someone in Muddy Swamp would be like, - - well, like being responsible for what could happen.”

“I suppose you’re right,” said Crow.  “I can tell that Dieter is scared.  He keeps asking for help and I think he’s crying.  Maybe not knowing if he will get out is punishment enough.”

“Agreed,” said Katy.  “But where is he?  I’d like to talk to him if I can.”

Black Crow pointed her wing in the direction of Harold Dieter.  “He’s behind you, only about 30 big steps,  into the swamp.  He didn’t listen to Muddy and he didn’t get far.  He shouldn’t have been in such a hurry.”

Katy walked to the edge of the swamp and called to Muddy Swamp.  “I want to talk to the man who got caught here last night,” said Katy.  “Can you tell me where to step?”

“I can,” replied Muddy Swamp.  “But be careful.  If you slip, there’s not much I can do.”

Katy started in, followed by Black Crow.

Muddy Swamp told Katy where to place each foot.  She took small steps and counted them.  She figured it would take more than 30 small steps, since Black Crow said Mr. Dieter was 30 big ones away.

At step number 22 Katy could hear Mr. Dieter’s cries for help.  At step number 34 she saw his head and one arm above the mud.  She stopped on a log, and sat down.  Katy looked directly at Mr. Harold Dieter and he looked back.

“Hello Mr. Dieter,” said Katy.  “We met yesterday.  You were at Silver Creek by the beaver dam.  I was with my brother and two cousins, and ….”

Harold Dieter broke in.  “I remember,” he said.  “You wanted to show me around the forest.  I wish I’d just asked you to show me the way out.   I hate this place.”

Black Crow flew to a bush that was close to Harold Dieter, so close that Mr. Dieter could have touched Crow if he wasn’t in the bog almost up to his neck.

“I wish Katy had shown you the way out, too,” said Black Crow.  “And that you’d never come back.  We don’t much like you around here.”

Mr. Dieter turned his head to look at Crow, then looked back at Katy.  “Young lady, you are rude and disrespectful.  If I could, I’d give you a good spanking.  And that bird.  It’s been following me since yesterday.  Hit it with a stick, will you?  While you’re at it, see what you can do to scare those other birds away.  I don’t know why but they’re dumping water on me.  I’m plenty wet already.”

Katy answered, “Mr. Dieter I apologize if you think I was rude, but what you heard about never coming back I didn’t say.  Black Crow did.  She is that bird right beside you.  Black Crow is my friend.  I would never hit her with a stick.  But I will try to stop the other birds.”

“Now, young lady you are making me really…”

Harold Dieter never finished because Crow flew in his face.  She extended a wing and hit him.

“You’re lucky I’m only a bird,” said Crow.  “If Bear were here or Tubby porcupine or one of the skunks you’d get a lot worse than a wing slap.”  Crow flew back to Katy.

“Let’s leave him,” said the bird.  “Talk about rude and disrespectful.  He is up to his neck in trouble.  He really needs help but he still wants to pick a fight.  Why save this guy?  We’re the only ones who know he’s here.  Why don’t we just go back to Magic Tree and wait for your father?”

Harold Dieter looked at Black Crow, then at Katy and then at Black Crow again.

Mr. Dieter addressed Katy, “I may be stuck and I may need help but I’m not stupid.  I suppose you are one of those people who can make your voice seem like it comes from somewhere else. You must be a ventriloquist.  Well, cut it out.  I’m talking to you.”

“Mr. Dieter,” said Katy “I’m sorry but you don’t understand.  We call this woods the Magic Forest, because there really is magic here.  Most adults can’t see it.  But Black Crow is part of the magic, and Muddy Swamp is too.  Didn’t Swamp warn you last night before you slipped?  How could that be anything but magic?  You are talking to me, Mr. Dieter, but it’s Black Crow who has been talking to you.”

“Someone hollered at me last night, but I doubt it was a swamp.  And as to that bird or whatever other magic you expect me to believe, stop trying.  I’ve been stuck here since last night.  It’s hard to think.  I’m imagining things, like talking birds and swamps that don’t want me to fall in.  My mind is playing tricks.   Maybe you’re not even real.  But if you are, do something to get me out of here”

“Will you promise never to come back?” Crow shouted.

“Quiet!” shouted Harold Dieter.  “I’ve had enough.”

He closed his eyes.  Mr. Dieter was crying.

“My dad is coming with a long rope,” said Katy.  “We’ll try to pull you out.”

“That is if you behave,” said an angry Black Crow.

Mr. Dieter turned to Crow and nodded.


Chapter 10     Saving the Magic Forest

Black Crow flew to the Magic Tree to wait for Jefferson Kamp while Katy stayed with Harold Dieter.

When Mr. Kamp entered Magic Tree’s clearing, Crow told Peter they all needed to get to the swamp as quickly as possible.

“Katy is with Harold Dieter,” said Crow.  “He’s in up to his neck, and only one arm is above the mud.  He’s also scared and he’s mean.   If we’re going to do him any good, and I wonder if he’s worth it, we’d better hurry.”

Mr. Kamp carried a coiled rope.  “We’re coming,” he said.

Peter led the way.  He ran until he was out of breath, and then started walking as fast as he could.  Mr. Kamp said he could not keep up and asked Peter to slow down.  Still, they moved rapidly and were at the edge of the swamp in much less than an hour.

“Where’s Katy?” said Jane Kamp.

“She is in the swamp,” said Crow, pointing with her wing.

“What’d Crow say?” said Mr. Kamp.  “Can you understand her?”

“Black Crow says Katy is in the swamp - - over there,” said Peter, pointing.

“And Dieter, is he there too?”

Crow pointed again and Peter nodded, yes.

Mr. Kamp uncoiled his rope, and tied one end to a tree near the edge of the swamp.  He took the other end and stepped into the bog.

“You can’t do that,” said Peter.  “You’ll get stuck.  How are you going to know where to step?”

Muddy Swamp answered, “I’ll tell Crow, and she can tell your father.”

Peter relayed the plan to Mr. Kamp.  “Crow will show you the way.  Don’t walk on anything unless Crow is there first.”

Muddy Swamp told Black Crow which logs and mounds of grass and sticks were safe.  Crow hopped and fluttered from one to the other.  Mr. Kamp followed.  He slipped once; his right leg went in up to the knee.  He grabbed a bush, sat on a log, and was able to pull his leg from the mud.

“How much farther?” he said.

Crow answered but Mr. Kamp could not understand.  He had been able to recognize the magic earlier.  Now he couldn’t understand either Crow or Muddy Swamp.

Mr. Kamp saw Katy.  His last few steps were the hardest.  Mr. Kamp jumped to where Crow had been a moment before.  It was a small landing area.  He joined Katy on the partly submerged log.

Mr. Kamp took a breath.  “I wasn’t sure I’d make it.”

“Me neither,” said Katy.  “I’m glad you did.”

“Where is Mr. Dieter?”

“You can see part of him, over there, behind that bush.”  She pointed into the swamp.

“Got him,” said Mr. Kamp.  Then he shouted, “Mr. Dieter, can you hear me?  We want to pull you out.”

Harold Dieter did hear.  He barely answered, “Oh, ooh oooh… ”

“He was talking a little a few minutes ago,” said Katy.

“He’s probably too weak or scared,” said Mr. Kamp.

“Anyway, Crow will show me how to get closer.  If I can get this rope on him, I think together we can pull him out.”

With that Mr. Kamp followed Crow.  They almost reached Mr. Deter, but not quite.  Mr. Kamp’s rope was too short.  He needed another three or maybe six more feet.  

Mr. Kamp and Mr. Dieter locked eyes.  Both men recognized that the rope would not reach.  

Katy could see it too.

“I tied the rope to a tree at the edge of the swamp,” said Mr. Kamp.  “Maybe there is a tree that is closer.  I’ll stay here.  Katy, you go and see if you can move the rope.  Yank on it when you’re giving me more line to work with.  I don’t need much.”

With the help of Black Crow and Muddy Swamp Katy returned to the path where Peter and Mrs. Kamp waited.  Katy untied the rope but there were no trees closer to the swamp.  She thought about tying the rope to her waist and going into the swamp, but even if she did, there would be no way to get a foothold.  

The creatures of Magic Forest were still there, waiting to see what would happen to Harold Dieter.

Diana Coyote approached Katy and Black Crow.  “What’s happening with the man in the swamp?” she asked.  

Katy explained.

“Two Horns could help,” said the Coyote.  “If she’ll help us, it might be enough.”

The coyote called “Two Horns, I know you’re out there.  We need you, please.”

Two Horns came out of the woods.  Diana asked if they could tie the rope to her tail, and would she stand at the edge of the swamp and pull.

Two Horns shook her head, “No.”  She did not want to co-operate.

The other creatures echoed Two Horns with a chorus of “no, nooo.”  The animals of the Magic Forest were not in favor of rescuing Harold Dieter.

Diana Coyote howled and barked to settle things down.  “Look,” she said.  “I know how you feel about the destination mall.  But we can’t leave that man in the swamp.  He’s probably hurt already.  The longer he stays, the worse he’ll be.  We would be responsible if we didn’t help.”

There were a few more no’s and some muttering from the squirrels, but most of the creatures were quiet after hearing Diana Coyote.

Two Horns walked to the edge of the swamp and held out her tail.  It was not only long, but thick too.  Katy tried several times before she was able to attach the rope.

Katy pulled the rope and told Two Horns to plant her feet.  At the other end, Mr. Kamp took the extra step he needed to get to Mr. Dieter.  Now the rope was long enough.  It reached the arm that was not submerged and with some digging, it went around Harold Dieter’s back and then under other the arm, the one that was below the mud.  Mr. Kamp tied a knot in front and tugged to test it.

Harold Dieter said nothing until the rope was secure.  Then in a soft voice he addressed Mr. Kamp.  “Haven’t I seen you before?”

“Yes,” said Jefferson Kamp.  “I came to your office a week ago to see if you would change your plans for the mall.  We hoped the woods could stay just like it is.”

“What you see in this place is beyond me,” said Dieter.   “It’s nothing but trouble as far as I’m concerned.  Once we get the trees out and this swamp drained it’ll be a better place.  Besides, there’s strange stuff going on around here.  I don’t know what it is but it makes me uneasy.  I never thought I’d need help from anyone, certainly not a little girl or some black bird.  But I’m stuck and I want to get out of here.  Help me; will you?”

“Not by myself,” said Mr. Kamp.  “I’ve got Katy, her brother and my wife at the other end.  Together we might make it.  Are you ready?”

“More than ready.”

Mr. Kamp pulled on Katy’s end of the rope.  Two Horns felt the tug and dug in.  The rope went tight as Two Horns pulled at her end and Mr. Kamp pulled from the other.

Harold Dieter moved but only an inch or two.  His arm came out of the mud.  “That’s a bit of progress,” said Mr. Kamp.

Katy took hold of Two Horns tail.  Mrs. Kamp wrapped her arms around one horn and Peter took hold of the other.  Katy yanked on the rope as a signal.

Mr. Kamp said, “Ready, Dieter, we’re going to try again.”

This time Harold Dieter started to come out.  At first only his chest was visible, but slowly his waist, then knees and finally both legs emerged from the mud.  Even though he was out, Mr. Dieter could not stand.  Mr. Kamp was on the only solid place.  Harold Dieter lay on top of the bog.  He was breathing hard and still tied to the rope.

At Katy’s end there was now slack.  She said, “I think he may be out; keep pulling.”

And they did.  Two horns took a few steps.  The rope got taut again.  They pulled, dragging Harold Dieter at the other end of the rope.  He went through bushes and over dead logs.  The mud got in his mouth and eyes while the bushes and sticks scratched his face and arms.  When Mr. Dieter reached the edge of the swamp and dry land he was bleeding from a dozen or more small cuts.  Mud was stuck to his eyebrows and caked on his head.

Harold Dieter wobbled and stood up, wiping some of the mud from around his eyes. Katy remembered how he looked a day ago in his clean shirt.  His shoes she remembered had been polished, and he’d been wearing a tie.  It was still around his neck but surely ruined.

Katy knew she shouldn’t, but looking at Harold Dieter now, she laughed.

“Young lady, I suppose I should thank you for getting me out, but I won’t.  This has been the worst two days of my life, - - in the most awful place I’ve ever been.”

This was the wrong thing to say.  The Magic Forest erupted.  Every creature showed displeasure, making noise, pawing feet and flapping wings.  Two Horns bellowed.  She alone sounded like five cows.

Harold Dieter jumped.  He looked at Two Horns, the rope still attached to her tail.  “What is that beast?” he said.  “Get me out of here!”

“This way,” said Mr. Kamp.  “You have insulted all the creatures here.  We’d better leave before they do something.  But what about your two men who ate the berries by the big lake?”

“I had forgotten,” said Mr. Dieter.  “The lazy no-goods took a nap right afterward and I couldn’t wake them.  I’m sure they’re up by now.  If not, I say leave ‘em!”

“Those berries are part of the magic in the woods,” said Katy.  “They weren’t napping.  The berries made them sleep.”

Diana Coyote came over to Katy and whispered in her ear.  “The two men woke up this morning and walked to town.  They will have headaches but they’ll be OK.”

“Watch out,” said Harold Dieter to Katy.  “That animal looks like a wolf.  Get away from it.”

Diana Coyote showed her teeth, and snarled, not to be mean but just to scare Harold Dieter a little bit more.

Katy put her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing again.

Mr. Dieter turned away, spit mud and kicked a rock.  Peter got out of his way.

Mr. Kamp led the way to the clearing and Magic Tree.  Mr. Dieter, Mrs. Kamp, Peter, Katy and Black Crow followed.  When they reached the clearing Black Crow stopped.  Katy waved to Magic Tree, and kept going, knowing that Crow would tell everything.    

When they reached the Kamp’s house, Mrs. Kamp asked if Mr. Dieter would like to come in and clean up.

“No,” he said.  “Just take me to town.  Right away if you please.”   Mrs. Kamp looked angry but got towels to put on the seat of their car.  Mr. Kamp drove Harold Dieter to the sheriff’s office.  Neither man spoke.

Mr. Dieter opened the car door and started to walk away, then turned and said something.  Mr. Kamp wasn’t sure but thought Mr. Dieter said, “I guess I should say thanks.”  


Chapter 11     Not the End of Magic Forest

The next day the paper reported that Mr. Dieter and his friends had been lost in the woods.  Mr. Dieter was quoted as saying,  “That’s the most awful place I’ve ever been.  It might not be right for our mall.”  The reporter asked more questions but Mr. Dieter would only say, “No comment.”

When Katy, who read the paper every day, saw the article she ran to Peter’s room.   They did high fives.

A week later Mr. Kamp called from school to say that Mr. Dieter’s company had a for sale sign on the property.  And the best news of all, the mayor of Granton wanted the city to buy the woods and keep it as an example of how Madison County looked a hundred years ago.

And that’s what happened.

The rest of that year and for many years to follow Katy and Peter often went into the woods, sometimes with their cousins.  Mr. and Mrs. Kamp never asked about the magic.  That was okay with Katy and Peter.  They knew the forest and everyone in it.

Katy and Magic Tree remained close friends.

Katy grew up, became a mother, and had a family of her own.  She moved away from Granton, but of course told her children about the Magic Forest.  You should tell your children too.

The end.