Page 79 - The Black Deer and Charlie Rabbit

The Black Deer and Charlie Rabbit 77
Badger stepped forward to try again but was taken aback when young Jackson Squirrel leapt to his side.
Showing no fear, Jackson quietly said: ‘Let me help you, Badger.’ With all his might the squirrel steadied an antler with his hands and Badger was able to turn the first ring. At last, it moved. He did the same to the second ring and the silence around him was palpable. The deer flinched and Badger jerked. Once more he leaned over as Jackson grappled with the second antler.
‘Hold the net tighter; he still has strength,’ shouted the squirrel.
Badger made a grab for the third ring as a hind leg began to twitch. Finally, he yanked the ring off and they both fell backwards, breathless.
Sophia entered the garden wearing her tiara and cape. Badger and Jackson watched anxiously as she walked up to the netting and looked down at the black deer. She proudly raised her head to show the deer that she would be the last fairy queen the creature saw.
The deer’s eyes bulged and blazed with rage and then his body quivered. The woodland animals gasped as the hooves began to melt: then the legs, body and tail. Finally, the head and antlers sank into the soil. It wasn’t real after all.
The fairy queen gazed at the ground once more and beckoned the badgers to remove the netting. She spoke in a soft melodious voice as she removed her fairy dust pouch from her pocket. Sophia poured the dust into her hand and let it fall, then stepped back and uttered strange words. The spell to cleanse the ground was cast.