Free Fairy Glade and Other Enchanting Tales by Dawn Beaumont-Lane Page B

for ice cream and you shall have it! If you wish to see me at anytime, tap the wand three times and I will be there with you.”
    “Thank you, thank you!” proclaimed the children. Bluebell passed the wand to Kevin and smiled.
    “Now you know it all wasn't a dream, don't you Kevin?” Kevin's face went rather red and he nodded. For now he did believe that there were fairies and pixies.
    “Thank you Bluebell” said Kevin clutching his new wand gratefully, “We will be back to see you again”.
    “Goodbye until we meet again,” said Bluebell, and then with a flutter of her wings and a poof of fairy dust, she was gone.
    THE END

Foot Note
    This story came from my heart on Christmas Eve 1966. I had no money to buy my daughter a Christmas gift as we lived alone on limited funds. This is one of two stories I wrote that night so my daughter would have Christmas gifts when she awoke on Christmas morning. There in, her belief in Father Christmas would stay intact for years to come.

TEDDY BEAR JUNCTION

    Once upon a time very long ago in Teddy Bear Junction, there lived a teddy bear and a steam train named Tilly Chuff. Teddy bear was a hard working little teddy, for it was he who owned the little red and black steam train. The entire town of toys in Leapylea relied on Teddy Bear and Tilly to take them to the seaside town of Whiteleaf each day. This was where the town's folk bought their groceries or went to the beach to swim and play.
    Early each morning Teddy Bear got up to get ready for work. First he would eat his breakfast of honey and oatcakes, and then wash his sticky face and hands. Next he would clean his teeth and dress in his navy blue train engineer's uniform. After brushing his furry head, he straightened his special engineer's hat before leaving the house to wake up Tilly.
    Tilly Chuff, the little steam engine lived and slept in a lovely green shed on the outskirts of Teddy Bear Junction.
    “Wake up, Tilly old girl,” said Teddy bear, “It's time to have your wash down and polish.”
    “Oh,” said a sleepy Tilly, “is it morning already?”
    “Yes!” exclaimed Teddy Bear who was all ready for his day's work. He fetched his bucket and filled it with cold water, which he then threw over Tilly.
    She shivered and cried out to Teddy Bear, “Oh dear me, the water's too cold! Please no more cold water, Teddy Bear.”
    “All done with the water,” said Teddy as he began to wipe Tilly dry with a big soft rag. Teddy was now ready to polish Tilly; she liked this as it made her feel all warm and cozy. She tooted her whistle to show how happy she was.
    “I feel like a brand new engine,” said Tilly.
    Teddy jumped up into the engine cab and started up the steam engine. He would back Tilly up and couple her to the passenger cars on the rails behind. After having taken care of that, off they went huffing and puffing to Leapylea station to pick up all the toys in Leapylea.
    As they drew near the platform, Teddy Bear could see all the toys waiting patiently for them to arrive. Mongo the monkey was there waiting for the train to puff and chug into the station. He waved at Teddy Bear who leaned out the engine cabin, calling out for all to stand clear as Tilly chug-a-lugged into the station.
    Kittykat rushed her kittens onto the platform counting them as they passed through the gate. Flustered, she mopped her face with her hankie. “Oh, no! Where is Luke? He's such a slow poke. We will miss the train if he's not found.”
    Teddy Bear could see his passenger cars would be full today. “Hey Tilly, we have a full load today for our trip.”
    “Toot. Toot!” Tilly replied cheerfully.
    “The sunshine sure brings out the beach people too, Tilly.” Teddy Bear waved to all his toy friends as Tilly chugged up along side the platform.
    “Good morning!” Teddy Bear called out to Barbie Doll.
    “Good morning to you Teddy Bear.”
    He blew Tilly's whistle and waved his hand as they slowed down and came to stop at the