Magical Mayhem Read Online Free Page A

uncertainly. The patch was almost a perfect circle – would an underground hot spring do that? Even so, Bimi must be right, she thought with a shrug. It was the only explanation that made sense.
    Just then the magpie’s call came from the tree. ‘It’s almost time for Flower Power!’ exclaimed Twink. She grabbed the salamander’s lead. ‘Come on, Sal, I’ve got to get you back to your log.’
    But Sal didn’t seem to want to leave. He dug his feet into the ground, straining against the lead as Twink tugged. ‘Come on ,’ huffed Twink. ‘We’re going to be late!’
    Finally, with Bimi’s help, they hauled the reluctant salamander away. Once back on the snow, he walked sulkily, dragging his tail behind him. As Twink shut him into his pen in the Creature Kindness log, he gave her a grumpy look and turned his back on her.
    â€˜I wonder what’s got into him?’ said Twink, once she and Bimi were speeding their way up the tree trunk to class. ‘I’ve never seen him act that way before!’
    Bimi shrugged as they landed on the Flower Power ledge. ‘I suppose he just liked the warm ground over the hot spring,’ she said. ‘You know how salamanders love the heat.’
    Twink’s pink eyebrows drew together. ‘Yes, but how did he even know it was there? It was really strange the way he –’
    She broke off as the magpie’s call shrieked again. They were late! Hastily, Twink pushed open the door.
    Miss Petal, the young, pretty teacher who taught Flower Power, shook her head as they dashed in. ‘Take a mushroom, girls.’
    Once Twink and Bimi were settled, the teacher went on, ‘As I was saying, I’m going to teach you a spell today that you can use on a single plant to learn the health of a whole forest. Ivy, would you help me pass these out?’
    With the help of the green-haired fairy, Miss Petal gave an acorn pot to every student. In each one was a drooping plant. Twink’s was a wilted fern, and she touched a curling frond with sympathy. Oh, the poor thing!
    When everyone had a pot, Miss Petal continued. ‘Now then, I’d like you to do a cheering-up spell as usual. Once your plants are feeling a bit healthier, I’ll explain what comes next.’
    Eagerly, Twink rested her hands on the fern’s leaves. A cheering-up spell was one of the first she’d ever learned, but she never tired of doing them – it was lovely to see plants perk up!
    Closing her eyes, Twink started to think happy thoughts. Bright yellow sunshine. Birds singing. Laughing and sharing jokes with Bimi. Her hands tingled as magic flowed from them into the fern. After a moment, she smiled and opened her eyes. There, that should do it!
    â€˜Oh!’ she gasped. The fern was worse than ever! Ugly black spots had appeared all over its fronds, which hung limply over the pot’s rim. As Twink gaped in shock, one of the fronds fell completely off, landing on her mushroom desk with a plop .
    Sooze burst out laughing. ‘Opposite, what did you do to it?’
    â€˜Nothing!’ protested Twink. ‘I just did the spell as usual!’ She turned the pot around, but the fern looked just as awful from every angle.
    â€˜Oh dear,’ said Bimi, biting her lip. ‘It doesn’t look very good, does it?’
    Miss Petal came over. Her mouth twitched as she held back a smile. ‘Twink, I don’t think you could have had your mind on the spell,’ she said gently. Putting her hands on the fern, she performed the magic herself. The black spots vanished as the fern burst into green, vibrant life.
    â€˜But – I’m sure I did it right,’ said Twink in confusion. ‘Honest, Miss Petal. I’ve done that spell a hundred times!’
    Miss Petal nodded understandingly. ‘Yes, but it’s still easy to get it wrong, if your thoughts wander even just for a moment. Here, why don’t