3. Fairy Magic

The fairy flew over Rachel's and Kirsty's head. Her short, silky dress was the color of ripe strawberries. Red crystal earrings glowed in her ears. Her golden hair was braided with tiny red roses, and she wore crimson slippers on her little feet. The fairy waved her scarlet wand, and a shower of sparkling red fairy dust floated softly down to the ground. Where the dust landed, all kinds of red flowers appeared with a pop!

Rachel and Kirsty watched, openmouthed. This really and truly was a fairy. "This is like a dream," Rachel said. "I always believed in fairies," Kirsty whispered back. "But I never thought I'd ever see one!" The fairy flew toward them. "Oh, thank you so much!" she called in a tiny voice. "I'm free at last!" She glided down and landed on Kirsty's hand. Kirsty gasped. The fairy felt lighter and softer than a butterfly. "I was beginning to think I'd never get out of that pot!" the fairy said.

Kirsty wanted to ask the fairy so many things. But she didn't know where to start. "Tell me your names, quickly," said the fairy. She fluttered up into the air again. "There's so much to be done, and we must get started right away." Rachel wondered what the fairy meant. "I'm Rachel," she said. "And I'm Kirsty," said Kirsty. "But who are you?" "I'm the Red Rainbow Fairy — but you can call me Ruby," the fairy replied. "Ruby . . ." Kirsty breathed. "A Rainbow Fairy . . ." She and Rachel stared at each other in excitement. This really was magic! "Yes," said Ruby. "And I have six sisters: Amber, Sunny, Fern, Sky, Inky, and Heather. One for each color of the rainbow, you see." "What do Rainbow Fairies do?" Rachel asked. Ruby flew over and landed lightly on Rachel's hand. "It's our job to put all the different colors into Fairyland," she explained. "So why were you shut up inside that old pot?" asked Rachel.

"And where are your sisters?" Kirsty added. Ruby's golden wings drooped. Her eyes filled with tiny, sparkling tears. "I don't know," she said. "Something terrible has happened in Fairyland. We really need your help!"