The cat surveyed his kingdom. He was on edge. He had overheard his humans talking about March “going out like a lion” because it had “come in like a lamb”. He had no idea what a March was, but he was the only lion allowed in this kingdom.
dreamin’
forgotten vegetation
The autumn shades of forgotten vegetation waited in the shadows while spring worked at turning the world green again. They felt uncertain of their place in the world.
Then a mouse scurried beneath them, happy for the safety of the roof they offered, and they began to understand.
dancing
The fairy heard the children coming along and froze mid-dance. She struggled to keep her balance and wobbled a bit when most of the children were looking away. The one child that did see was never believed, but gained a lifetime of wonder just the same.
the first day of spring
For the first day of spring, the fairies wove their favourite magics. They coaxed snowdrops from the earth and promised the robins sweet treats if they would sing their happiest songs. A few fairies even the pinched the tails of a dozen squirrels to set them to scolding and fill the forest with the chatter of the season. The cobwebs hidden under eaves and forgotten in garden sheds were hung with dewy baubles and the fairies danced a reel beneath them, just for luck.
a boggarty day
The boggart hid inside the scarred old tree in a huff of grump and grouch. He hated when outsiders filled his bit of forest with laughter, but there was nothing to do but stew in his moodiness until they left. Which meant, of course, that he passed a wonderful day by boggart standards.
inconvenience
a wee oversight
hush
ghoulish
Jennifer Shelby 