Dejzi Medous - Evie Scruffypup’s Big Surprise

Jess Forester shuffled her foot through a pile of crisp, fallen leaves. There are lots of acorns here! she said. She and her best friend, Lily Hart, were in Jesss yard, filling a box with fallen nuts.

Theyll be a treat for the squirrel my mom and dad are taking care of, said Lily.

The squirrel was one of the patients at Helping Paw Wildlife Hospital, which was across the street from Jesss house. Lilys parents ran it, and the two girls loved animals so much that they helped out whenever they could.

A flurry of deep gold leaves drifted down from the tree.

Jess caught one. I love fall colors, dont you? she said. Theres yellow and red andlook! She pointed up through the branches. There! A squirrel! she said.

More leaves tumbled down as the squirrel bounded higher.

Hes so sweet! said Lily. Maybe hell come to us if I offer him an acorn.

She held one out, but the squirrel stayed on the branch, watching them nervously.

Hes shy. Lets leave some here for him, Jess suggested, heaping a handful of acorns on the grass.

I wish we could tell him its safe to come down, said Lily. After all, weve talked to squirrels before in Friendship Forest!

Jess grinned. Friendship Forest was a secret world where the animals lived in little cottages and visited the Toadstool Caf and, best of allthey talked! One of them, a cat called Goldie, was the girls special friend. She had taken them on lots of exciting adventures in the forest.

I wish Goldie would visit us soon, Lily sighed.

Jess nudged her, pointing to a nearby tree. Shes here now! she said in delight.

A pair of green eyes, the color of grass in the evening sun, blinked from between the yellow leaves.

Goldie! the girls cried.

A beautiful golden cat leaped from the tree and ran to press against their legs, purring.

The girls bent to pet her.

Does this mean Friendship Forest needs our help? wondered Lily. Is Grizelda causing trouble for the animals?

Grizelda was a wicked witch. So far Jess, Lily, and Goldie had managed to stop her plans to take over the forest, but now Grizelda had four helpersmessy creatures from the Witchy Waste.

The Witchy Waste had once been a beautiful water garden, with willow trees, ponds, and waterlilies. Then Grizeldas creatures had made it as dirty as a landfill. Now she wanted them to help her make Friendship Forest messy and horrible, too, so all the animals would have to leave.

The last time Jess and Lily were in Friendship Forest, Peep the bat from the Witchy Waste put a spell on Olivia Nibblesqueak, a sweet little hamster. The spell made Olivia as messy as Peep, and had started to turn her into a bat, too! The girls had managed to undo Peeps spell, but they knew that three more Witchy Waste creatures were waiting to cause trouble.

Goldie mewed as she turned toward the gate.

Come on, Lily! Jess hopped with excitement. Goldies taking us to Friendship Forest!

The girls ran down the lane, hurrying past the wildlife hospital. Two baby rabbits sat up inside their pen, looking startled as the girls dashed by.

Goldie led them over the stepping-stones in the stream at the bottom of Lilys yard, and into Brightley Meadow. In the middle stood an old oak tree with bare, lifeless branches.

The Friendship Tree!

Jess and Lily shared an excited glance as Goldie reached the tree. Something amazing was about to happen!

Sure enough, leaves sprang from every branchbut they werent the bright spring green they usually were. This time, the leaves unfurled in glorious autumn colorsred, yellow, orange, and gold. They glowed in the sunshine. Bluebirds and robins swooped down to feast on the scarlet berries that hung from every twig.

Goldie stretched up a paw and patted some words carved into the tree trunk. Jess and Lily read the words aloud: Friendship Forest!

A door with a leaf-shaped handle appeared in the trunk. Jess opened it, and a soft golden light gleamed from inside. Goldie slipped through the door.

The girls held hands excitedly as they followed her into the shimmering glow.

A tingle ran right through them. Jess and Lily knew that meant they were shrinking, just a little.

As the light faded, they found themselves in a clearing in Friendship Forest. It was always summer in the forest, and today the warm air was sweet with the popcorn scent of nearby butterpuff bushes. Little cottages were tucked among the shady tree roots.

Its wonderful to be back, Jess began, then gasped in surprise.

Every tree was covered in a glorious blanket of blossoms.

Wow! There are so many colors, said Lily, gazing up in wonder.

Isnt it beautiful? said a soft voice.

The girls spun around. Their cat friend was standing upright, wearing her glittering golden scarf!

Goldie! At last we can talk to you! cried Lily as she ran to hug her.

Its a very special time in Friendship Forest, said Goldie, smiling. Today is Blossom Day!

Whats Blossom Day? Lily asked.

Once every year, Goldie explained, all the trees bloom. Doesnt it look gorgeous?

It smells gorgeous, too! said Jess. Like honey and plums and jasmine all mixed together!

Its even better at Petal Hill, Goldie replied. Thats where we celebrate Blossom Day. Come with me!

On the way, Jess and Lily gazed up at the dazzling petals that covered the trees.

Those ones are so pretty! Jess said in wonder, pointing out a cluster of purple blossoms that looked like fluffy pompoms.

Lily spotted some white flowers trailing down from the branches. Look, theyre like beautiful strings of pearls! she said.

Soon they reached a round hill, dotted with blossom-covered shrubs.

At the foot of the hill was a rambling den with blue walls and a steep red roof. Yellow and white striped curtains billowed at the open windows. All around it was a garden, filled with colorful flower beds, tall treesand lots of their animal friends!

Hello, everyone! called Lily and Jess.

There were squeaks, quacks, and squawks of delight from the young animals.

Bella Tabbypaw the kitten hugged them, purring loudly. Molly Twinkletail the mouse and her nine brothers and sisters called ten greetings. Lola Velvetnose the mole hugged Lilys leg.

Girls! said Goldie.

Jess and Lily turned to see Goldie standing with a family of dogs with thick fluffy black-and-white fur, pointed ears, and madly wagging tails.

Meet Mr. and Mrs. Scruffypup, said Goldie, and their daughters, Evie and Hattie.

The excited pups hugged the girls.

Hello! said Hattie. She was as tall as the girls waists and had a blue bow on her head.