The Charming Gift Read Online Free

charm without glue?”
    â€œI don’t know,” admitted Lumiere. “We will have to think of a way.”
    â€œThink, think, think,” Chip said to himself as he hopped around the study. He spotted a roll of stamps on the desk. “Stamps are sticky on the back!” he exclaimed.
    â€œBut only on the back,” Lumiere pointed out. “I think the star charm should have gold on both sides. Don’t you?”
    Chip nodded. “Think, think, think,” he said again. “Look! There is a bottle of ink in this drawer! Ink is sticky!”
    â€œBut ink is black,” Lumiere said. “If the gold flakes get covered with black ink, the star will not sparkle and shine.”
    Chip knew that Lumiere was right, but he wasn’t about to give up. Even so, as he searched the study, Chip had trouble finding something that they could use to make the charm. A feather pen, a stack of books, a pair of reading glasses, a lamp? None of these would work.
    â€œWait a minute,” Chip suddenly said. He hopped over to the lamp and peeked at the waxy candle under its colorful glass shade. “I know what we can use!”
    â€œWhat?” Lumiere asked excitedly.
    â€œWax!” Chip replied. He bounded over to the supply closet in the corner, where cakes of yellow beeswax were stacked on a shelf.
    â€œYou are a genius!” Lumiere cried. “Wax is just what we need to make this charm!” He pinched off a small piece of wax and gently heated it with his candles.
    â€œMmm,” Chip said, breathing in deeply. “It smells like honey!”
    When the wax was warm, Lumiere molded it into the shape of a star. Then he and Chip dusted the star with gold flakes. As the wax cooled, the gold stuck firmly to the charm.
    Lumiere held the star charm up to the light. “Look how it gleams!” he said proudly. “This is just what I wanted to make for Belle. Thank you, Chip! You are an artist!”
    Chip grinned at him. “I like to help,” he said. “Do you think anyone else needs me?”
    â€œYou should check with Cogsworth,” Lumiere replied. “I am sure that that overgrown pocket watch could use a hand!”
    â€œDon’t worry, Cogsworth,” Chip yelled. He jumped onto the tea cart. “Here I come!”

C hip zoomed up and down the halls of the castle, loudly calling for Cogsworth. Finally, he heard a familiar voice reply, “I’m in here! Come in, come in!”
    Chip followed the voice to the greenhouse. Rows and rows of exotic plants filled the room.
    â€œHi, Cogsworth,” Chip said. “Lumiere told me that you might need help making your charm for Belle’s bracelet.”
    The clock hands on Cogsworth’s face started to twitch. “That old wax-head!” he sniffed. “What does he know about it?”
    Chip shrugged. “I don’t know,” he replied. “But I helped him make his charm, so I thought maybe I could help you, too.”
    â€œOh, well, in that case,” Cogsworth said quickly. “I suppose I could use a little help.”
    He stepped aside to show Chip a long line of leaves that he’d made out of jewels. “I came into the greenhouse for inspiration,” Cogsworth explained. “And I’ve certainly been inspired…to make every plant except a sprig of holly! Look at all of these leaves! This one even has an acorn made out of rubies!”
    â€œBut you’re supposed to make some holly ,” Chip reminded him. “Just like the charm on Belle’s other bracelet.”

    â€œI know,” Cogsworth said, sighing. “But there isn’t any holly in here! And when I see other leaves, I forget what holly looks like—and make a different leaf instead!”
    â€œThere’s a big holly bush outside, next to the fountain. I can get some holly for you,” Chip said.
    â€œSplendid idea!” Cogsworth cried.
    Chip zoomed toward the large