One day when Puff was sitting on a toadstool wondering how much longer the winter was going to last, he saw Milly squirrel hopping and chattering from one tree bole to another. She looked so worried that Puff called – “Hello Milly – have you lost something?” The squirrel looked up and Puff the Pixie could see she had been crying so he flew down to comfort her.
“Now Milly, tell me what the trouble is and maybe I can help you” he said. The squirrel rubbed her tiny paws together and with many sighs and many sobs she told Puff the reason for her anxiety.
“Oh dear” she said, “I am such a silly old squirrel all the other squirrels know exactly where they have stored their winter food, but me, oh I am so silly. I had worked so hard to make sure that I would have enough food this winter and somewhere I have a beautiful store of nuts but I cannot remember where. If it had not been for the other squirrels I should have starved. They have been very kind but they have so little now – I cannot go on eating their food. I must find my winter larder, I must” and poor little Milly burst into tears again.
“Hush now” said Puff, “I am going to help you but the best thing you can do is go home and sleep, you look quite worn out. My friend Topaz will help me so off you go and stop worrying”. Milly squirrels home was close by in an old hollow oak and when Puff saw she was safely inside, he went to wake Topaz who, like nearly all the Fairy folk, slept in the daytime and came out when the moon was shining and the humans in their beds. But Puff liked the daytime best so he was generally alone but his friend Topaz was always happy to wake up if Puff needed him because they were very good friends.
A little later the two Pixies were sitting in the shelter of a hollow log to talk about Milly squirrels problem. When Puff had explained to Topaz what he planned to do, Topaz said, “Well I don’t know Puff, it seems an impossible task to find that store of nuts. There are hundreds of trees in the Home Woods. Where must we begin – those nuts could be anywhere”. Puff looked at Topaz and said, “I know it will not be easy, but I have promised. Come on, we will start searching ever likely tree and see what happens”. They were still searching when the sun went down and there was no sign of Milly’s winter store.
They had looked under the roots of big trees; they had searched under fallen trees, looked into old fox holes and climbed ivy creepers to get to the top of tall trees – but the found nothing.
“Puff, I am so cold and tired” said Topaz “it is getting dark and the moon won’t be up for a long time yet. And it is beginning to freeze, look how white the branches are on that tree – oooh I wish I was at home in my warm bed”.
“I know” said Puff “but we just have to find the nuts. Come on, we will rest under the roots of this tree, there are some lovely dry leaves to sit on”. And there they sat, two cold little Pixies as the stars came out one by one and shone frostily on the bare trees of the Home Woods, They had almost fallen asleep when above them Old Owl called tu-wit – tu-wuu and Puff jumped up. “Topaz, Old Owl is awake; let us ask him what to do. He is very wise and maybe he knows where we should look”.
When Old Owl had listened to their story he sat thinking and blinking for such a long time that the two friends thought he had fallen asleep again! But no, suddenly Old Owl started to speak. “Of course” he said, “Milly Squirrel – that must be the squirrel who lives close to the Fairy Dell in the old hollow tree which has only one bough”. “Yes, yes” answered Puff, “she is the one. Milly, well she forgets things – she is getting old and ….”. “Hush” said the Old Owl sternly “do not interrupt, oh if only you young ones would learn to use your head you would save your feet and wings a lot of trouble.
Milly Squirrel is getting old, she is not as well as she used to. Now imagine you are Milly Squirrel and that you live where she lives. Last autumn she was one of the busiest squirrels collecting nuts day after day – now if you were old, where would you put your winter food?” “Why – in my own home of course!” cried Puff. “Yes of course!” echoed Topaz. Milly lives alone – the old hollow tree is very big and she had every reason to want her food nearby in the winter – but then why hasn’t she found them?”
“I know I know” said Puff excitedly, “thank you very much Old Owl – thank you very much indeed”. Old Owl nodded “Well – get along with you, I can’t sit here talking all night. Goodnight to you”. And the Old Owl flew away into the shadowy depths of the Home Woods. “Come on Topaz – let’s fly back to Milly Squirrel”.
“But the nuts Puff – what about the nuts?” asked Topaz as they flew. “You will see”, was all that Puff would say.
When they got to Milly Squirrels home they banged on the tiny door until she opened it and peered at the sleepily. “Who is it, and what do you want?” she asked. “Please it’s us – Puff and Topaz, may we come in Milly Squirrel?” and almost before she could answer they were inside.
“Come on Topaz” and up the inside of the tree they went and climbed a hole which led into the only bough left on the old oak – it was hollow too and half way along the bough behind a pile of sweet smelling autumn leaves were all the nuts Milly Squirrel had so carefully hidden. “Hundreds and hundreds of nuts” exclaimed Puff and ran back along the branch to fetch the bewildered Milly.
She was so pleased she hugged the two little friends and said, “Tomorrow, when you have had a nice long sleep you must come to my nut party. I shall invite all the squirrels and you two will be guests of honour. Thanks to you there will be enough for us all now spring comes”. The Pixies thanked her for the invitation and said their good nights, “to the forgetful little squirrel” Puff yawned. “Oh my, I am sleepy” he said, “come on Topaz – race you home”. And soon they were back in the Fairy Dell, and it wasn’t long before they were warm in bed and fast asleep.
Puff the Pixie stories were written by D.L. Hardy-Jesshope and may not be copied or reproduced in any way as they are under copywrite.