1. Message on a Kite

Heather the Violet Fairy by Daiw Sveadows

"I can't believe this is the last day of our vacation on Rainspell Island!" said Rachel Walker. She gazed up at her kite as it flew through the clear blue sky. Kirsty Tate watched the purple kite soar above the field next to Mermaid Cottage. "But we still have to find Heather!" she reminded Rachel. Jack Frost had cast a wicked spell that banished the seven Rainbow Fairies to Rainspell Island. And without the Rainbow Fairies, Fairyland had lost all of its color! The Fairy King and Queen had asked Kirsty and Rachel

to help find the fairies. The girls had already found Ruby, Amber, Sunny, Fern, Sky, and Inky. Now they had only Heather the Violet Fairy left to find. Rachel felt a tug on the kite's string. She looked up. Something violet and silver flashed at the end of the kite's long tail. "Look up there!" she shouted. Kirsty shaded her eyes with her hand. "What is it? Do you think it's a fairy?" she asked. "I'm not sure," Rachel said, pulling in the string.

As the kite came floating toward them, Kirsty saw that a long piece of violet-colored ribbon was tied to its tail. She helped Rachel untie the ribbon and smooth it out on the ground. "It has tiny silver writing on it," Rachel said. Kirsty crouched down to have a closer look. "It says, follow me." Suddenly, the ribbon was swept up by the breeze. It fluttered across the field. "It must be leading us to Heather!" Kirsty said, jumping up. Rachel gathered up her kite. "Mom, is it OK if we go exploring one last time?" she called. Mrs. Walker was talking to Kirsty's mom in the yard outside Mermaid Cottage. Kirsty's family was staying in Dolphin Cottage, right next door. "Of course, as long as Kirsty's mom agrees," Mrs. Walker replied.

"It's fine by me," said Mrs. Tate. "But don't go too far. The ferry leaves at four o'clock." "We'll have to hurry!" Rachel whispered to Kirsty. The girls ran through the soft, green grass, following the ribbon. It bobbed and drifted on the breeze.

Suddenly, the ribbon flew out of sight behind a thick hedge. "Where did it go?" Kirsty wondered. "Through here!" Rachel said, pulling back one of the branches. Kirsty followed her friend through the hedge. Luckily, the leaves weren't too prickly. On the other side, they found a path and a gate. There was a sign on the gate, in purple paint, that read: SUMMER FAIR TODAY!