Princess Leilani was a tiny Time Traveler. She wore a purple coat with shiny buttons and carried a round clock in her pocket. Tick-tock, tick-tock, went the clock.
She lived beside the Enchanted Forest. The trees had blue leaves. The mushrooms wore little white hats. Every morning, Princess Leilani visited the forest and said, “Hello, today!”
One day, the clock said, “Tick... tock...” Then it stopped.
All around her, the forest stopped too.
A red bird hung in the air with its wings open. A bunny held one carrot in its paws. A raindrop sat above a fern and did not fall.
“Oh no,” said Princess Leilani. “Time is frozen.”
She was small, but she was brave. She turned the clock key once. Click! A little golden path appeared between the trees.
“I will help time move again,” she said.
First she met Star Collector. Star Collector was a cheerful child with a big silver net and boots that went squeak-squeak. They collected fallen stars gently, never too fast.
“Princess Leilani!” said Star Collector. “My stars are stuck in the sky. I cannot catch even one little twinkle.”
“Come with me,” said Leilani.
Next, they found Storm Chaser. Storm Chaser wore a yellow raincoat and had a windy kite. Storm Chaser loved clouds, but was kind to every raindrop.
“My cloud cannot rumble,” said Storm Chaser. “It is making a very silly face.”
The cloud was frozen with puffed cheeks. “Pffff,” it almost said.
“Come with us,” said Leilani.
At the oldest oak tree sat Wizard. Wizard had a long green scarf, round glasses, and a tiny teacup. He was wise, but sometimes he forgot where he put his hat.
“My hat is on my head,” he said, then giggled. “Ah! I know what happened. Witch took the Hour Bell.”
“The Hour Bell?” asked Star Collector.
“It rings every morning,” said Wizard. “Ding! Then time wakes up. But Witch was lonely. She wanted one very long, quiet nap. So she carried the bell to her cottage at the end of the golden path.”
Princess Leilani nodded. “We will ask her nicely.”
They walked. Squeak-squeak went Star Collector’s boots. Swish-swish went Storm Chaser’s kite. Tap-tap went Wizard’s shoes. Princess Leilani’s clock went... nothing at all.
Soon they reached a crooked little cottage. It had a purple door, three chimneys, and a mailbox shaped like a frog.
Witch opened the door. She wore striped socks and held a fluffy pillow.
“Go away,” she yawned. “I want quiet.”
Princess Leilani spoke softly. “Witch, the forest needs the Hour Bell. The bird cannot fly. The bunny cannot eat. Your tea cannot get warm.”
Witch looked at her teacup. A tea bag floated in cold water.
“Oh,” said Witch. “Cold tea is dreadful.”
Storm Chaser lifted the windy kite. “I can make a gentle breeze for your nap.”
Star Collector opened the silver net. Inside were three tiny stars that were not frozen. “We can hang these by your bed. They glow like night-lights.”
Wizard smiled. “And I can make you a Sleepy-Soft spell. It has lavender, moon milk, and one sock. Do not ask about the sock.”
Witch blinked. “You would do that for me?”
“Yes,” said Princess Leilani. “We can all help.”
Witch’s grumpy face became a small, shy smile. She carried out the Hour Bell. It was gold, round, and as big as a pumpkin.
“But it is too heavy,” she said.
“We are a team,” said Leilani.
Witch held one side. Wizard held the other. Storm Chaser called a soft wind. Star Collector placed one bright star on top. Princess Leilani put both hands on her little clock.
“Ready?” she asked.
“Ready!” they said.
Ding!
The Hour Bell rang.
Tick-tock! Tick-tock!
Princess Leilani’s clock began to sing. The raindrop fell. Plip! The bird flew. Flap-flap! The bunny bit the carrot. Crunch!
The blue leaves danced. The mushrooms wiggled their hats. Storm Chaser’s cloud finally rumbled, “Pffff-BOOM!” It was only a tiny boom, and everyone laughed.
A silver chest popped out from under the old oak tree. On it were the words: FOR THE FRIENDS WHO WOKE TIME.
Princess Leilani opened it. Inside were four sparkling time badges, a golden pocket watch, and a bag of star-shaped cookies.
One badge said TIME HELPER. One said STAR FRIEND. One said CLOUD FRIEND. One said KIND WITCH.
Witch hugged her badge. “Could I visit the forest tomorrow?” she asked.
“Of course,” said Princess Leilani. “Bring your pillow. And maybe the bell can ring after breakfast.”
“Deal,” said Witch.
Princess Leilani clipped the golden pocket watch to her purple coat. It glowed warmly.
She was still a tiny Time Traveler. But now she had big, wonderful friends.
Tick-tock, tick-tock, went the clock.
And the Enchanted Forest danced all day long.