Daisy the Deer Read online

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  With special thanks to Susannah Leigh

  CHAPTER ONE

  Sweet Dreams, Misty Wood

  It had been a beautiful day in Misty Wood, and now the sun was ready to go to sleep. As the sky turned from bright blue to deepest purple, the stars began to twinkle and the moon climbed to join them. Down below, the Bud Bunnies were curled up in their cozy burrows, the Pollen Puppies’ tails had stopped wagging, and the Cobweb Kittens snoozed in their mossy beds.

  But not everyone was asleep. Oh no. Some fairy animals were just waking up! They were sniffing the cool evening air, fluttering their wings, and thinking about their special jobs, which made Misty Wood such a wonderful place to live.

  On the banks of Moonshine Pond, the Moonbeam Moles had already popped out of their tunnels and were bustling about gathering their nets. Soon, they’d all be busy collecting moonbeams to drop into the pond so that it would glisten and shine.

  Over on Sundown Hill, a Dream Deer called Daisy was stretching her long, slender legs. She blinked her big brown eyes, smoothed her pale blue fur, and flexed her silvery wings. Daisy’s special job was to fly around the wood at night, delivering wonderful dreams to the sleeping fairy animals.

  “I think I have the best job of all!” Daisy sighed happily. She bounded to the top of Sundown Hill and gazed at Misty Wood. Usually it was very quiet at night, but tonight the wind was rushing around, making the grass whisper and the trees rustle. Leaves whirled this way and that. But Daisy didn’t mind. She spread her wings and the breeze caught them, lifting her into the air.

  “Wheeeee!” she cried as a gust blew her toward Golden Meadow. “It’s going to be fun, flying in the wind tonight!”

  She landed lightly at the edge of Golden Meadow, where the flowers ended and the trees began. “Time to start work!” she said.

  She trotted slowly along a little pathway that snaked between the trees, looking out for any sleeping fairy animals. It wasn’t long before she caught sight of some little white whiskers and cute pointy ears, tucked into a cozy nook in a tree trunk.

  “I know those ears,” Daisy whispered with a smile.

  They belonged to Connie the Cobweb Kitten, one of Daisy’s friends. Connie was fast asleep. Daisy tiptoed closer, then poked her soft nose into Connie’s snug, warm home. The little kitten would receive Daisy’s first dream of the night!

  “You’ve just left Dewdrop Spring, where you collected a big basket of dewdrops,” whispered Daisy in the kitten’s velvety ear. “There are enough to hang on all the cobwebs in Misty Wood, to make them sparkle and shine! And then you see a big bowl of fresh cream.”

  Connie’s button nose twitched in her sleep, and she gave a tiny, happy meow.

  “It looks delicious,” Daisy went on, “but you’re not sure if it’s for you. Then you see a name on the bowl—CONNIE. It is for you!”

  Connie licked her lips with her little pink tongue, and she began to purr. Daisy smiled and crept away, knowing that Connie would enjoy her bowl of cream for the whole night.

  Daisy leaped elegantly into the air and let the wind carry her toward Moonshine Pond. Above the water, the Moonbeam Moles flitted back and forth, catching moonbeams in their nets. Daisy couldn’t be sure, but they looked as though they were working doubly hard tonight.

  She spotted a pretty mole with rich purple fur and silver-gray wings.

  “Yoo-hoo, Maddy!” she called, cantering along the bank.

  Maddy was Daisy’s best friend. Sometimes, when they’d both finished their work for the night, they would go off together to play in the meadows. It was lovely to share the moonlight with a friend when all the other animals were asleep.

  Maddy swooped and landed next to Daisy, waving her net.

  “Hello, Daisy!” she said, sounding a bit out of breath. “I’m really sorry, but I can’t stop and chat tonight.”

  Daisy glanced up at all the moles whipping to and fro in the wind. “Why? What’s going on? You all look so busy.”

  “Yes,” said Maddy, her dark eyes shining. “We’re having a competition. And you’ll never guess—the first prize is a yummy dessert. A big brambleberry crumble!”

  “Ooooh,” Daisy gasped, her mouth watering. “Brambleberry crumble’s my favorite!”

  Maddy smiled. “Mine too!”

  “So, what do you have to do for your competition?” asked Daisy.

  “The first mole to collect one hundred moonbeams wins,” Maddy explained.

  “One hundred? That’s loads!” Daisy exclaimed. “Do you think you can do it?”

  Maddy peered into her net. “I’m doing quite well,” she said. “I’ve already got about twenty. I’d better keep going because I really, really want to win.”

  “Yes, of course.” Daisy nodded. “I’ll come back to see you later. Good luck!”

  Daisy watched as Maddy took off, whizzing after a moonbeam with her net. She soon caught it, and Daisy grinned. Maddy had a good chance of winning—she was so determined. All the same, Daisy felt glad she didn’t have such an energetic job to do. Hers was much more peaceful. She opened her wings and flew off toward Heather Hill, where she was sure she’d find plenty of sleeping animals to whisper dreams to.

  At the foot of the hill stood some old oak trees. Their twisting roots made lots of nooks and crannies that were perfect for fairy animals to sleep in. As Daisy drew closer, she spotted a small bundle curled up on some leaves. She floated down to see who it might be.

  “A Hedgerow Hedgehog!” she exclaimed to herself as she landed beside him. “Now, I wonder what sort of dream he’d like?”

  She thought for a moment, then bent down to whisper in the little hedgehog’s ear. But just as she was about to begin, he jumped up, his prickles spiking out in all directions. Daisy leaped back quickly, before a spike could hurt her nose. The hedgehog started running around in circles, flapping his russet-red wings.

  “Hey,” Daisy called. “I thought you were asleep!”

  The hedgehog stopped running and looked up at her with sad, fearful eyes. “No,” he said. “I wasn’t. I’m awake.”

  “I can see that,” said Daisy. “But you’re a hedgehog, and hedgehogs aren’t supposed to stay up all night! You must be so tired from tidying up leaves all day. I was just about to give you a lovely dream.”

  The hedgehog’s bottom lip began to quiver. “I don’t want a dream,” he said in a wobbly voice.

  Daisy stared at him. “But everyone loves dreams.”

  The hedgehog shook his head. “Well, I don’t. And I don’t want to sleep.” He stamped his tiny foot. “In fact, I’m never going to sleep. Never, ever, EVER again!”

  CHAPTER TWO

  The Hedgehog Gobbler

  “Never?” Daisy’s big brown eyes opened wide.

  “No, never!” the hedgehog cried. He curled up in a ball and began to sob. “And you can’t make me!” came his muffled voice.

  “It’s okay,” Daisy said softly. “Don’
t worry. I won’t try to make you sleep. But will you tell me your name?”

  “I’m H-H-Herbie,” the hedgehog stammered.

  “Hello, Herbie. I’m Daisy.” She sat down beside him. “So, why don’t you want to sleep?”

  A fat tear rolled down Herbie’s cheek. “Because of the Hedgehog Gobbler.”

  Daisy stared at him in astonishment. “The … what?”

  “The Hedgehog Gobbler!” cried Herbie. “He’s a horrible monster that comes and gobbles up hedgehogs while they sleep! He creeps up from behind, and then he opens his big mouth with its rows of jaggedy teeth and … chomp! He gobbles you up.”

  Daisy frowned. “I’ve never heard of a Hedgehog Gobbler before.”

  “Well, he’s around here somewhere,” Herbie said, peering over his shoulder. “He could pounce at any time. That’s why I’m going to stay awake forever from now on. I’m never going to go to sleep and let him catch me!”

  Daisy tried to remember all the different creatures that she knew lived in Misty Wood. There were Moss Mice and Bud Bunnies and Petal Ponies and Pollen Puppies. Cobweb Kittens, Moonbeam Moles, and Stardust Squirrels … but she had never, ever heard of a Hedgehog Gobbler.

  “I really don’t believe there’s such a thing as a Hedgehog Gobbler,” she told Herbie in a gentle voice. “I think you should try to get to sleep, and then I’ll give you a lovely dream that will help you forget all about it.”

  “But there is!” Herbie insisted. “So I can’t sleep!” His bright eyes filled with tears again.

  “All right, Herbie,” Daisy said hurriedly. “But you’re going to get awfully tired.”

  The hedgehog wiped away his tears with his tiny pink paw. “I won’t get tired.” He fluttered his wings and flew in a circle. “I’m wide awake—see?”

  Daisy sighed. She could see that Herbie had made up his mind. But perhaps if he got really tired, he’d have to fall sleep. And she knew she could definitely help him there.…

  “Well, I have an idea,” she told him. “If you’re going to stay awake, how about you help me with my job?”

  “What, delivering dreams?” Herbie asked, looking a bit more cheerful.

  “That’s right,” said Daisy. “If you come with me, you’ll have to fly around all night, so the Hedgehog Gobbler won’t be able to find you.”

  Herbie started to grin. “Wow. I’d love to,” he said. “I think you have an amazing job!”

  “Well, yes, I do like it.” Daisy smiled. “Come on, then. Let’s head for Honeydew Meadow first.”

  They took off in a whirl of leaves. Herbie whooped with glee and chased after them. Daisy was pleased. The more energy the little hedgehog used up, the better. They dipped and dived, riding the breeze and enjoying the feel of the wind buffeting them to and fro.

  When they reached the meadow, Daisy pointed down at a moss cushion surrounded with flowers, their buds shut tight for the night. On top of the cushion lay a Pollen Puppy, sound asleep.

  “We’ll start here,” she told Herbie as they landed next to the puppy.

  “So, what do we do?” Herbie asked, his eyes shining with excitement.

  “We’ll think of all the things that a Pollen Puppy loves,” she explained. “Then we’ll whisper them into his ear.”

  “Ooooh. Well, I know they love juicy bones to chew,” Herbie said eagerly. “And they love chasing one anothers’ tails and scampering around the meadows flicking pollen and having fun.”

  Daisy nodded. “That’s great, thank you,” she said. “Now I can make a lovely dream for him.”

  She bent forward and began to murmur into the puppy’s floppy ear. “You’re having a wonderful time chasing your best friend’s tail in Honeydew Meadow…” she began.

  The Pollen Puppy’s paws twitched, and his tail thumped against his mossy cushion.

  “Look at him!” squeaked Herbie. “He’s really enjoying it!”

  Daisy smiled and carried on. “You’re bounding past a horse chestnut tree when all of a sudden you spot a delicious bone.…”

  The puppy gave a happy whine, and his ears pricked up in his sleep.

  “The bone is big and juicy, so there’s plenty for you to share,” Daisy whispered. “You and your friend have a lovely time, eating it and playing with it together!”

  The puppy rolled over onto his back and wriggled in delight, his paws waving in the air. Daisy stepped back, proud of their work.

  “That was fantastic!” Herbie exclaimed as they slipped away. “Can we do another one?”

  Daisy grinned at him. “Of course!” she said. “Come on, let’s go into the Heart of Misty Wood. Lots of fairy animals will be asleep in there.”

  They glided toward the center of the wood, then swooped down between the trees and began to flutter along near the ground, watching for sleeping creatures. Herbie was clearly enjoying every minute, but he seemed to be getting sleepy, too. His flying was getting slower, and he gave a great big yawn. Daisy slowed down as well, feeling pleased. Her plan was working! Soon Herbie would be so tired he’d have to stop for a rest. Then, when he’d dropped off, she’d give him the best dream ever.

  But suddenly Herbie cried out.

  “Daisy!” he shouted. “Stop! Stop! It’s the Hedgehog Gobbler!”

  “What? Where?” Daisy whirled around in a circle.

  “THERE!” Herbie pointed behind her with a trembling paw.

  Daisy turned and gasped. Right ahead was an enormous towering figure. It was making an awful groaning sound—and it had HUGE waving arms!

  CHAPTER THREE

  The Night Fright

  Daisy gulped. “Hide behind me,” she said to Herbie, sounding a lot braver than she felt.

  Herbie didn’t need to be told twice. He quickly scuttled behind Daisy.

  Daisy took a deep breath and faced the figure. “Who are you?” she demanded.

  “I told you—it’s the Hedgehog Gobbler!” squealed Herbie.

  Daisy tried to stay calm. There’s no such thing as a Hedgehog Gobbler, she told herself firmly. Plucking up her courage, she took a step toward the huge creature.

  “Careful, Daisy!” whimpered Herbie. “I know you’re a deer, but it might get you, too!”

  “Don’t you worry, Herbie,” Daisy told him. She peered forward to get a better look … then she sighed with relief. “It’s not the Hedgehog Gobbler,” she said, looking down at Herbie.

  “It’s not?” Herbie whispered.

  Daisy smiled. “No. It isn’t a monster at all. It’s a tree!”

  “What do you mean, a tree?” Herbie huffed, sticking out his prickles. “It can’t be. It’s got arms!”

  “There’s nothing here to hurt you,” Daisy assured him. “I promise. Come on. Come and see.”

  Herbie peeked around Daisy’s legs. Sure enough, all that stood before them was a big old beech tree. Its trunk was shadowy in the moonlight. The “arms” were its branches waving wildly in the wind, and the groaning sound was just its roots creaking.

  Herbie’s prickles began to calm down. “Oh yes,” he said happily. “Silly me. It is just a tree.”

  He scampered forward and skipped all the way around the trunk, clapping his wings together as he went. Daisy sighed. At least Herbie felt safe again, for now—but the trouble was, being frightened by the tree had really woken him up. Now he didn’t look the least bit sleepy.

  “Let’s go somewhere else, Herbie,” Daisy suggested. “I think the trees look a bit too scary in the moonlight. We’ll go to Hawthorn Hedgerows instead.”

  “Good idea,” said Herbie, fluttering along next to her. “Lots of Moss Mice sleep there.”

  “Will you help me find one?” Daisy asked.

  Herbie puffed out his chest proudly. “Of course.”

  Sure enough, it didn’t take Herbie very long to find a tiny Moss Mouse curled up in a cozy nest of twigs and moss.

  “Well done,” said Daisy. “You’re being a big help. Now, let’s think. What do Moss Mice like?”

  “Poppy
seeds,” Herbie said at once. “And hawthorn berries. I think they like my favorite food, too—yummy hazelnuts. And they love being all together, having fun with their families and friends.”

  Daisy nodded. “Thank you. That’s plenty to work with.” She bent down to make a perfect dream for the mouse.

  “It’s your birthday,” Daisy whispered into his tiny ear.

  The mouse’s nose and whiskers twitched in excitement.

  “All your friends are here, and your whole family, too,” Daisy continued. “Everyone’s having a lovely time. Your mom has made a delicious hawthorn-berry pie, and there’s hazelnut cake for later.”

  “Yum!” Herbie exclaimed, rubbing his tummy. “Make sure they all sing a song,” he added. “I love it when fairy animals sing songs at parties.”

  Daisy smiled and nodded. “Everyone eats piles of poppy seed pancakes,” she whispered to the mouse. “Then they all sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to you. It’s your best birthday party ever!”

  They watched as the mouse gave a little squeak of happiness in his sleep, and then they tiptoed away. Another good job done!

  Daisy led Herbie to Dandelion Dell, where the flower heads were closed up for the night. The stems were rocking to and fro in the breeze. “Are you tired yet?” she asked the little hedgehog. She was quite sure that he must be by now.

  “Not a bit,” said Herbie. “I’m getting hungry, though. And thirsty.” He looked at Daisy hopefully. “Where do you think we should go next?”

  Daisy sighed. How was she ever going to get Herbie to sleep?

  “Let’s go to Moonshine Pond,” she said. “You can have a drink there. And maybe we’ll find a snack on the way.”

  As they started flapping their wings, a big gust of wind whisked them both up into the air. Herbie did a loop-the-loop as the breeze lifted him.

  “Wheeeee!” he yelled as he zoomed past Daisy, upside down.