The Elf Magic Garden is in danger and Jasper must help

Hello Boys and Girls,

HOW are you all this week? Did I ever tell you about the great adventure I had with my friends the Elves. Well, we were sitting by the fire in Rose Cottage enjoying our evening, when a knock came to the door. We wondered who could be calling so late but to our surprise there was no one there — just a note pinned to the door.
It read “The Magic Garden is in danger. Please help us”. That’s all. But we knew who it was from. We have made many friends in the woods over the years and although we rarely see them we know they are there.
Once, when the thatch on Rose Cottage caught fire the blaze was put out before the fire brigade arrived. We knew it could only have been the Elves. During the hard winter we had left out milk for their young and this was their way of saying thanks.
Another time, when I fell into the lake, strange hands pulled me ashore and then disappeared. Molly and I always respect the woodland creatures and they respect us.
But we were worried to hear the Magic Garden was in danger. This beautiful place is deep in the woods and very difficult to find. It’s a place where all woodland creatures can meet in safety. The Elves keep it looking it best. This is where they grow their plants and herbs for their magic potions.

Elves are the doctors of the Woods
The Elves are very kind and are the doctors of the woods. If a creature is sick or injured they treat it with their potions. They also know spells to keep the Goblins and Pixies in line. They don’t mean any harm but sometimes they get mischievous, like the time they put Farmer Kelly’s donkey in his bed.
But we knew how important the Magic Garden is to all creatures who live in the woods. I was only there once. I got lost in the woods one snowy winter’s day and grew tired from walking. I sat down for a rest and fell into a deep sleep.
When I awoke I was in the most beautiful garden I had ever seen. There were all sorts of lovely flowers and plants and a gurgling stream running through it. The sun seemed to be shining there although it had been cold in the woods.
I wondered who owned such a fine garden when to my astonishment an Elf appeared by my side. He was gentle and kind and told me not to worry, I was safe and with friends.
The Elves had found me asleep and were afraid I was ill so they took me to the Magic Garden to ask their leader what to do. I was very grateful.
Olin the Elf Leader
Olin, that was the Elf leader’s name, told me I was in the very centre of their kingdom and the garden was very important to them. They had lived there for thousands of years and depended on it to survive and carry on their work.
He showed me around but I had to promise never to reveal the location of the garden or bring anyone back there. After a fine meal of honey and the most delicious biscuits I have ever tasted I fell back to sleep again. When I awoke I was on the track back to Rose Cottage.
I thought it was all a dream but some time later I found a bundle in the barn and inside were six of those biscuits. A present from Olin. It wasn’t a dream after all.
Since then we have been leaving little gifts for each other. But now there must be something terribly wrong because the Elves rarely come out of the woods. What was this danger the Magic Garden faced? I’ll tell you more next week.
Before I go, I want to say a big hello to our readers in St. Patrick’s National School. Tuam.
Bye for now
Uncle Jasper.

CROSSWORD
Thank you all for your entries. The winner this week is Tiarnagh Geraghty from Headford. Good girl Tiarnagh, the postman will bring your prize.