Princess Stevie was an Explorer Princess. She wore little boots, a round hat, and a shiny yellow backpack. In her backpack were a map, a red apple, a soft scarf, and three tiny bells. Ding, ding, ding!
One bright morning, Princess Stevie walked into the Enchanted Forest. The trees were tall. The leaves were blue, pink, and gold. Little mushrooms winked their spots.
“Hello, Forest!” said Stevie.
But the forest did not sing back.
Oh no. The blue leaves were turning gray. The pink flowers were drooping. Even the golden butterflies looked sleepy.
Prince ran down the path. He had a green cape and very fast feet. “Princess Stevie!” he called. “The colors are going away!”
“I will explore,” said Stevie. She was small, but she was brave. “We can help the forest.”
Puff! A purple cloud popped beside a tree. Out came Genie, wearing striped slippers and a very tall hat.
“I saw what happened,” said Genie. “Spellcaster waved a twisty wand. Swish! Now the Forest Color Star is hidden.”
“Why?” asked Prince.
“Spellcaster wanted the forest to be quiet for a nap,” said Genie. “But a gray forest is a sad forest.”
From behind a fern came Adventurer. Adventurer carried a big compass and a tiny sandwich. “I know paths,” said Adventurer. “I can help!”
The four friends followed Stevie’s map. They crossed the Bouncy Moss. Boing, boing, boing!
Prince bounced too high. “Help!” he said.
Stevie held out her soft scarf. Prince caught it and came down safely. Plop!
“Thank you,” said Prince.
“You are welcome,” said Stevie.
Next they came to the Giggle Stream. The water laughed. “Hee hee! No one may cross unless they make me smile!”
Genie turned his tall hat upside down. A fish flopped out. Then a spoon. Then seven socks.
The stream laughed so hard that it made a little rainbow bridge.
“Good job, Genie!” said Stevie.
At the end of the bridge stood Spellcaster. Spellcaster had a silver cloak and a twisty wand. In one hand was the Forest Color Star. It was dim. Very dim.
“Stop,” said Spellcaster. “I need quiet. The forest sings all day. Chirp! Buzz! Rustle! I cannot sleep.”
Stevie did not stomp. She did not yell. She looked at Spellcaster kindly.
“You need rest,” she said. “We can help you rest. But the forest needs its colors.”
Spellcaster blinked. “You would help me?”
“Yes,” said Stevie. “Friends help.”
Adventurer found a soft cave under a willow tree. Prince gathered fluffy moon-petal pillows. Genie made a gentle cloud blanket. Stevie rang one tiny bell very softly. Ding.
The sound was warm and small.
Spellcaster lay on the pillows. The noisy leaves became whispery leaves. The birds sang a sleepy song.
“Ah,” said Spellcaster. “This is nice.”
Spellcaster smiled and gave the star to Princess Stevie. “You are a clever Explorer Princess.”
Stevie lifted the Forest Color Star high.
Glow!
Blue rushed back to the leaves. Pink danced back to the flowers. Gold flew onto the butterfly wings. The Enchanted Forest sang again, but softly near Spellcaster’s cozy cave.
Then the oldest oak tree opened a little door in its trunk. Inside was a treasure box.
Click!
For Princess Stevie there was a brand-new Explorer Compass. It had a star on it and pointed toward kind adventures. For Prince there was a green cape pin. For Genie there was a hat with no socks inside. For Adventurer there was a golden map with many safe paths.
Princess Stevie hugged her compass. “The best explorers look, listen, and help,” she said.
“Ding, ding, ding!” went her little bells.
And Princess Stevie, Prince, Genie, and Adventurer walked home through the bright, happy Enchanted Forest.