THE WISHING WELL

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 80, 28 December 1929, Page 24

THE WISHING WELL

Peter was such a long time going to Sleep that Mummie lit a candle and left it alight. It could only have been a minute or two' after that when Peter heard a tapping on the window pane. He sat up in bed and saw a goat peeping at him through the glass. “It’s old Nancy’s Billy,” he cried. Billy ducked his head and tapped again.

So Peter ran to the window. “Jump on my back,” the little goat said, “and I will take you to the wishing well.” “Why, where’s that?” asked Peter very much astonished; “and what can I wish for?”

“The Wishing Well is in the Dragon’s castle,” answered Billy, “and you can wish for anything you like. But you must be quick if you are coming. When the tower clock strikes twelve, the giant comes out.” “But it’s so dark!” said Peter. “Nonsense!” exclaimed Billy. “Bring your caudle if you’re afraid.” Peter picked up the candle, sprang on to Billy’s back, and one big hop over the window ledge took them out into the darknes.

What fun it was! Peter wasn’t afraid .■ of the darkness very long. He began to question Billy about ’ the giant’s castle. “It’s a huge place,” Billy told him, “just behind the wood. The most exciting thing about it is the Wishing Well. You just kneel down and whisper a wish into it and whatever you ask for you get.” “Anything?” gasped Peter. Billy nodded.

“You can ask for anything you like, and you’ll get it—whatever it is—if the giant can’t stop you. That’s what he’s there for, you know.” “Oh!” said Peter.

“You needn’t worry about him,” Billy said. “All we’ve got to be careful of is to get back over the drawbridge before the clock strikes midnight.” “Is there a drawbridge?” asked Peter. “I’ve never seen one. And if there’s a drawbridge, of course there ,is a moat—l should like to see a moat!" “Look ahead, then!” said Billy. Peter looked. There was the castle —such a castle! Towers and turrets and drawbridge and moat —they were all there. They were crossing the drawbridge the very next minute. “Now you’ll have to hurry,” said Billy. “There’s the well—by that mossy wall. You can see the clock—we have just five minutes.” “Oh, what shall I wish for?” exclaimed Peter. “You must know what you want,” said Billy impatiently. “I want such lots of things.” “But you can only have one.” “I know!” said Peter. “Do you want a top?” “No,” said Peter. “A clockwork train?” “Not most.”

“What do you want?” shouted Billy. “You’re like everybody else —you don’t know what you want. Wish! Quick! The clock’s going to strike!” Peter gripped the sides of the well and leaned over. “I wish—l wish —”

One! Two! Three! “Come!” shouted Billy. “If you don’t come this very minute I shall leave you.” But Peter still clung to the old well. What he wished for he could never remember afterwards, for when he looked up Billy had gone, and there, walking slowly dowjj the castle steps towards him was the giant! Peter gave one piercing shriek and fled. He thought he was running to the drawbridge, but where the drawbridge had been was now a deep sheet of water.

He daren’t stop, for the giant was after him. On he ran, on and on, till he fell—splash! He was in the horrid, black water But he wasn’t he was in his own bed at home, and it was broad daylight! “Ugh!” said Peter, and he shivered—he couldn’t help it!