Evie Scruffypup’s Big Surprise

Chapter Six Mud Pies

The trail of golden leaves led the friends through the tunnel. They came out near Willowtree River.

A tree with delicate trailing branches and golden leaves stood on the riverbank. “So that’s where Evie got the leaves from,” said Jess, pointing.

Perched up in the tree, where the trunk divided into five branches, was a tiny little cottage.

“It’s so pretty,” said Lily, looking closer at the willow twig walls and the braided reed roof.

The door opened, and out popped a kingfisher! Her beak opened in surprise.

“Jess and Lily!” she said. “And Goldie, too!”

It was Mrs. Blueflash! She and her family had helped the girls in their adventures before.

“Chicks!” the kingfisher called, and the whole family flew out to flutter around the girls’ heads, blowing kisses with their wingtips.

“Mrs. Blueflash, we need help,” said Jess. She explained about Evie and her pile of golden leaves.

“Evie has a special secret,” said Lily. “We have to discover what it is, otherwise she’ll turn into a rat like Masha from the Witchy Waste. Do you know anything about it?”

“All I know is that Evie wanted some of our golden leaves for a surprise present she’s making,” Mrs. Blueflash said.

“What is it?” Goldie asked.

“Who’s it for?” asked Jess.

Mrs. Blueflash shook her head. “I’m afraid I don’t know.”

Splat!

“Ow!” cried Lily. A big, sloppy ball of mud had hit her on the arm. “Oh, yuck. Who threw—”

Splat!

More mud hit the Blueflashes’ cottage and ran gloopily down the front window.

Splat!

Another spattered all over Jess’s hair. “Ugh!” she cried. “Evie and Masha must have followed us here!”

“There they are!” said Mrs. Blueflash, pointing her wing across the river. “Chee-kee! Chee-kee!” she cried.

Jess and Lily looked toward the opposite bank. There, giggling away, was Evie with Masha, Peep, Snippit, and Hopper. They were bending back a springy tree branch and loading it with mud. When they let go of the branch, the mud catapulted across the river.

Evie scurried to the water’s edge. “SURPRISE!” she yelled, then turned to Masha. “We should throw mud all around the rest of the forest, too!”

“Ooh, yes,” said the rat, “then it’ll be lovely and messy.” She launched another mud missile.

“Oh, no,” Mrs. Blueflash squawked. “Mud is very bad for feathers! Hurry, children, hide!”

“Over here!” a small voice called to the girls.

Lily and Jess turned to see the smallest kingfisher chick hiding among the leaves of a bush. They dove behind it, Lily grabbing Goldie’s paw and pulling her with them.

The chick was shaking with fright, so Lily carefully lifted her up and stroked her feathers soothingly.

“I’m Bethany,” the chick said, her voice trembling, “and Evie’s my friend. I really want her back to normal!” She gave a sob.

“Don’t worry,” said Jess. “We’ll help her. But we have to find out about her secret present.”

“I’m sorry,” Bethany said sadly, wiping her eyes with a wing. “I don’t know what it is.” Her face brightened. “But I think I know where it’s hidden!”

“That’s wonderful!” said Lily. “Do you think you could show us?”

Bethany gave another tremble, but then she puffed up her feathers. “Yes,” she said determinedly, “I’ll show you. I’d do anything to save Evie.”

“Thank you!” said Goldie, stroking the chick’s bright blue and orange feathers.

“Mom, I’m going to help Evie!” Bethany called.

“Please be careful!” Mrs. Blueflash called back.

“We’ll take care of her!” Jess promised. And they hurried away after Bethany, dodging the balls of mud that whizzed all around them.