Murdoch's Path

Murdoch's Path

Chapter 1 Pat was a poor delivery boy, and all the townsfolk loved him. He was as trustworthy as a clock and always delivered goods and payment on time. And he always returned any change. He had as much work as he could handle. If it only paid well, he would have been a rich man. But Pat was so poor that when he walked on the highway, he kept his shoes in his pockets until he got to town. That way, the shoes would not wear out.

One night, his deliveries had kept him so late that he rushed down the dark road, his shoes still on his feet. This is what he was saying to himself: " A dozen balls of gray yarn for Mistress Murphy. Three dozen bright buttons for the tailor. Half an ounce of throat drops for Father Andrew. " These were the items he had been sent to fetch. He repeated them so he would be sure to remember them.

Now, everyone knew that there were two ways home from town. One was the proper highway, and the other was Murdoch's Path. The Path was nothing more than a wet, swampy, brambly, overgrown ditch. No one dared go there because it was infested with fairies. In all the years Pat had gone to and from town, he had always taken the highway. But poor Pat was so late and so deep in thought that when he came to the fork where the Path split off, he didn't even look up. He marched right down Murdoch's Path without even noticing.

Chapter 2 He wasn't sure how far he'd gone when suddenly a full moon came from behind the clouds. It made the land as bright as day. Pat looked up and realized he had taken the wrong turn, for right in front of him was a circle of dancing fairies. They danced around and around until Pat's feet tingled. Fairy music makes anyone want to dance, no matter how late it is and no matter how tired he is. Pat simply waited and watched. After a long time, a little man in a black hat, a green coat, and red shoes beckoned him into the circle.

" Won't you dance a song with us, Pat?" asked the little man, bowing till he nearly touched the ground. He didn't have far to go, for he was barely two feet high. " I'll be proud to dance with you, " replied Pat. Before he could look around, Pat jumped in the circle and began dancing as though his life depended on it.