Hello,
My name is Charlotte.
Are you all snuggled down,
Tucked up in your duvet?
If so,
I shall begin.
Once upon a time there was a girl called Willow.
Her long black hair shone under the sunlight and her eyes were as dark as the night sky.
When you looked into them you could see the entire universe.
Lately things have been a bit different for Willow and all of her friends.
They hadn't been to school for so long and everyone was learning from home.
Even the shops had been shut for a bit.
Some of Willow's friends really missed being at school and some liked being at home.
Willow loved being at home and was a little worried about going back to school.
Some things were going to be different.
Willow was going to be in a new school year and have a new teacher.
She enjoyed learning at home and then playing for the rest of the day.
Lots of Willow's friends wanted to go back to school because they missed their friends and their teachers.
They enjoyed the routine and some even missed school dinners.
Willow wasn't as keen but everyone she knew told her it was going to be okay,
That everything would be fine.
Today while Willow was baking fairy cakes in the kitchen and getting more cake mix in her mouth than in the cupcake cases an envelope dropped onto the doormat.
She ran into the hallway and saw a twinkling turquoise envelope laying there in big bold letters on the front with the words to Willow.
The back of the envelope was sealed with a glittery pink wax stamp.
Who is it from?
What's inside the envelope?
Willow opened it in a hurry.
She was so excited she could barely keep her hands steady.
When she saw what was inside her eyes opened wide in excitement.
It was an invitation to visit top secret magical kingdom.
What was this magical kingdom?
She had never heard of it before and even better it was inviting her to visit the queen of the kingdom this afternoon.
This afternoon Willow did a little happy dance and there was a knock knock knock at the door.
Special delivery for Willow.
A man dressed all in red hand delivered a huge lilac box.
On its top was an enormous glittery pink bow.
Willow pulled the ribbons slowly so she could enjoy the moment.
She had never received such a pretty box before.
As she lifted the lid she gasped inside was a purple dress with blue flowers that trailed in a circle all the way around it.
It was a kind of dress Willow had dreamed of but never thought she would ever see in real life.
The dress came with silver sandals and a flower headband made from fresh daisies and buttercups.
As she changed into all the new clothes she wondered what this magical place was.
She'd heard rumours of a world in the cloud but she didn't know anyone who had ever been invited and no one knew what the world in the clouds was called.
She stopped and looked at herself in the mirror.
The dress was as beautiful as she'd imagined it would be.
She was nervous and excited all at the same time.
Her tummy felt as though little butterflies were fluttering around.
To stop her fears she reminded herself of what her mum always told her and that was to enjoy the special moments.
She looked at herself in the mirror and that was to enjoy the special moments.
Willow flung the front door wide open.
Outside waiting for her was a white limousine.
As Willow climbed inside she noticed that its ceiling was covered in twinkly lights like shooting stars in the night sky.
There was a glass of fresh apple juice waiting for her and all of her favourite music was ready at the push of a button.
As she happily chose the song she wanted to hear the limousine pulled away.
The butterflies came back to flutter in her tummy but Willow knew they were just her excitement so she sat back and took a sip of the ice cold apple juice.
As she was driven through the countryside she watched the fields full of sheep pass by.
They made her smile because they didn't know where she was headed.
If they did they would want to come too.
The limousine took them to the top of a very steep hill and as she looked around she saw that she was in a world of fluffy clouds.
Willow grinned widely,
Did a little squeal and bumped her knees together because she knew the rumours were true.
As she got out of the limousine she didn't know where to go but the driver said just walk down those grassy steps you will see another cloud laying over the top of a large pipe.
The driver pointed walk through the cloud go through the pipe and you'll find the magic kingdom.
Willow said thank you to the driver then looked at the muddy grass steps and wondered if she could make it to the pipe without getting her pretty sandals dirty.
Then she looked down at her new dress it was all clean and sparkling.
She thought about how the mud in the pipe would make it dirty before she met the queen.
She couldn't possibly meet her covered in dirt but things went quite as they seemed and the grass she was walking on was like the softest thickest green carpet she'd ever known.
Willow wondered if it was even real grass.
She made it to the cloud without getting covered in dirt and began to walk through it.
The cloud was white to begin with but then it changed to pink.
As she walked she brushed her hands through the little puffs of cotton wool every now and then letting its fluffy softness touch her fingers.
As she breathed in she could smell familiar smells like cotton candy.
The cloud became blue and its smell changed too.
Willow stuck her tongue out to see if it tasted like bubblegum.
Oh it does she laughed then it was green on the outside pink on the inside and it tasted like watermelon and then it was white again and tasted like warm toasted milk before bedtime.
She loved every taste and color.
Willow appeared at the other side of the cloud filled pipe.
There it was.
Neffy.
The cloud people were walking around looking incredibly happy.
In fact Neffy looked like such a happy place that Willow couldn't help but smile.
She felt calm and relaxed.
She was trusting her instincts that this was going to be a wonderful adventure.
One of the first things she noticed were the two enormous slides.
She couldn't miss them.
They were so high above the clouds that even the loop the loopy part could only just be seen.
Willow stood and stared at them her mouth slightly open in amazement.
There was a red stripe slide with a sign above that said strawberry sherbet and a mint green stripe slide with a side above that said mint choc chip.
She thought what a tough choice it was to decide between them but she chose the mint choc chip slide as it reminded her of getting ice cream with her friends at school.
Then off she went with a giant whoosh as she giggled.
What she wanted to know was why it was a mint choc chip slide but she soon found out as she whooshed down the slide and around its bends and flew out at the bottom with a scream of delight.
Willow landed in the biggest pool of mint choc chip flavored marshmallows she could ever have imagined.
As she splashed down into them a puff of icing sugar smoke blew up into the air all around her.
Oh what fun she thought and giggled so much that her cheeks started to ache.
For a while she lay in the marshmallow pool enjoying the softness and sweet yummy smell.
When Willow stood up and brushed herself off a huge cloud of icing sugar dust puffed all around her.
When the cloud disappeared Willow saw a shining unicorn in front of her.
The unicorn's fur was so white and glossy that the colours of Nephi reflected all around it.
Then some magic happened and the unicorn changed from lavender to peach to lemon.
Her name was Star and she was magnificent in every way.
She had strong legs and a shining mane that was so dazzling it looked like Star had just been to the hairdresser.
Star dipped her nose to Willow and told her that she had come to take her to the very centre of Nephi.
Willow climbed up onto Star's back and gently held onto her mane.
As she tapped Star softly on the neck to tell her she was ready Willow smiled.
Now she knew that the world in the clouds was called Nephi.
Star galloped her way through pathways of multicoloured gemstones and crystals.
The sound of crunching beneath her hooves was like fairy tale music that made Willow's body relax.
She could easily fall asleep.
Even her worries about going back to school were starting to feel like they never existed.
Together Willow and Star travelled through the most mystical parts of Nephi.
They passed lots of people who all waved and shouted hello.
They passed other glittering unicorns and toadstools who were actually little houses.
Outside the toadstool houses was stinky garden furniture made from rainbow drops and silver bells.
Star slowed down from her galloping to show Willow some flowers that were bright yellow like the sun and smelled of sweet banana cake.
Around all the banana cake flowers were trees of every colour in the rainbow.
Willow had only ever seen green trees before but Nephi trees were like old gentle giants bursting with every colour she could imagine.
She was able to see the stars and the stars were like little stars.
Willow could hear crashing water in the distance.
It sounded like a waterfall.
When they got there she was right.
It was a waterfall but not just any waterfall.
This waterfall was pink milkshake and it was splashing everywhere.
Star led Willow to the unicorn.
I wonder if you can drink the milkshake lake?
Willow thought out loud.
Yes of course you can piped up a little purple fairy and then she giggled.
I'm Palmer Violet.
Drink up drink up she said it's totally scrumptious and much better than the rhubarb sugar lemon lake over in Rosepetal Valley.
Palmer Violet did a grand little bow at Willow.
I'm here to take you across to the palace.
The queen is very very excited to see you.
She's been as you describe her on earth a silly sausage all morning.
The purple fairy pulled an enormous umbrella out from behind her wings.
Willow thought it was like she had a Mary Poppins backpack on or something.
The fairy opened it up turned it upside down and said jumping.
Pardon me?
Willow asked.
You want me to jump onto the umbrella and cross the lake on it with you?
Palmer Violet giggled.
Yes just jump on she said as she casually hopped on herself.
Willow felt anxious about getting on the umbrella but Palmer Violet although tiny wasn't adult.
Willow just knew she would be safe with her so she jumped on too.
That was easier than it looked she said.
Star stayed at the edge of the lake and as she pushed them gently off with a nudge of her nose she sprayed silver glitter all over them from the tops of her ears.
It was glitter made from tiny diamonds and Willow raised her face so that all the sparkles would gently land on her skin and make her shine like a diamond too.
Now she felt like she was covered in magic for when she met the Queen.
Palmer Violet said the best way to travel on this lake is by laying down and looking up to the sky.
Willow did as the fairy suggested and laid back to look up to the sky.
Above her head was a double rainbow red and yellow and pink and green purple and orange and blue.
It was the biggest and clearest rainbow she'd ever seen.
She could even see the pots of gold at each end and to her delight Palmer Violet told her that they were full of chocolate coins.
Willow smiled it was what she'd always dreamed about.
She felt so relaxed and comfortable that she closed her eyes and floated safely into a bubble of sleepy happiness.
Willow woke up with a gentle nudge and felt cool splashes land on her face.
They smelled of strawberries.
Palmer Violet was about to take them through the giant pink waterfall and as Willow clung to the side of the umbrella she was scared she was going to get covered in strawberry milk before meeting the Queen.
But the milkshake waterfall parted and they went through it not even getting a drop on her sparkling new dress.
And there it was the palace where ice blue flags flew and trees were singing songs from their tones.
It was a palace where the sweetly scented lemon trees made their own lemonade and ponds were filled with strawberry pavlova.
Even the frogs were an exciting pink and green.
Willow climbed out of the umbrella and onto a path made of gold and silver crystals.
It crunched beneath her sandals as she walked towards the palace.
The Queen greeted Willow at the palace's gigantic doors.
She had a warm and trusting voice that made Willow feel safe.
The Queen smiled,
Hello Willow come in come in I've made a small buffet for in case you're hungry.
A small buffet Willow thought there was enough food to feed them for a week.
There were breadsticks,
Fresh melons,
Sausage rolls,
Cucumber sandwiches,
Mini pizzas and grapes.
For pudding there was an ice cream mountain.
Every flavour Willow could have thought of was there.
Raspberry and chocolate swirl,
Peanut butter and banana,
A mandarin and apricot.
With a plate full of her favourite foods she followed the Queen through the mirrored ballroom.
The palace looked like it was made out of diamonds.
It was shiny,
Glistening and bright.
The sunshine danced all over it.
Willow the Queen said I've invited you here for a reason.
I believe you have something that belongs to me.
Do I?
Willow asked in surprise.
The Queen explained yes but you can't see it on earth.
You can only see it when you're in Nefi.
Can you see the necklace around your neck now?
Can you see what it says on it?
The Queen was right.
Willow had never noticed the necklace before.
It was an awful kind of yucky yellow gold.
Worst of all it didn't go anywhere.
She'd have never worn such a horrible piece of jewellery if she'd known.
Willow looked in one of the mirrors and studded the necklace.
It had worrying chain engraved on it backwards.
The Queen told her that the worries she'd had were not Willow's to have.
They never have been and they never would be.
They belong to me.
The Queen said and I'd really like the worries back.
I like to keep them safe so I know where they are.
I believe this necklace got lost and it found you.
I'm sorry about that.
Willow replied of course.
I really didn't like the worries I've had anyway.
I was worried about too many things.
Even though everyone kept telling me everything.
Yes,
The Queen said.
This particular necklace does that.
It makes people worry about things like going back to school,
Not being at school,
Lots of things to do with school and what's going on in the world.
The Queen gently helped Willow take the necklace off her neck.
One of the Queens is looking at her necklace and she's thinking,
Well,
I'll just go and get it off.
I'm not worried about school and what's going on in the world.
The Queen gently helped Willow take the necklace off her neck.
One of the Queen's little helpers took it away and placed it in a clear glass safe with lots of other necklaces.
The necklace looked happy in there.
Suddenly it changed to a proper gold colour and began to shine.
It was like it knew it was back home,
Where it belonged.
I have a bracelet for you instead,
The Queen said.
This is yours,
Willow.
The Queen put the bracelet around Willow's wrist.
It was silver and glistened from the light that shone down through the palace windows.
It was perfect.
Willow looked down at it.
The engraving read,
I am healthy,
Happy and well.
Everything will be okay,
Said the Queen.
The bracelet around Willow's wrist began to glow brighter and brighter.
It knew it was on the right person and it gleamed with happiness.
Willow placed her other hand over it and smiled.
It felt as if it had always been a part of her.
I am sorry you have not been feeling happy,
The Queen said.
Now you can leave the necklace and all the things it has made you worry about in the palace.
I promise you that from this day forth they are not your worries anymore.
When you go back to Earth the bracelet you are wearing can't be seen,
Just like you didn't know you had the worry necklace on.
The most important things can't always be seen with your eyes,
But they can be felt from inside your heart.
So if you did ever think about the worries you used to have,
I want you to touch your wrist and know that you have left those worries behind and they are locked away with me.
The Queen smiled at Willow and if you ever worry,
Find someone you trust to talk to.
Don't keep those worries to yourself.
Share them with someone like you came to Neffy and shared the necklace with me.
Then the Queen asked Willow if she was ready to leave,
This time with healthy and positive thoughts.
Willow replied that she was,
She was ready to leave with only good thoughts in her head.
Is it okay for me to give you a hug before you go?
The Queen asked.
Willow nodded,
She had never been hugged by a Queen before and liked the idea a lot.
They gave each other a long tight hug that made Willow feel safe and warm.
When the Queen stepped back she looked straight into Willow's eyes and said,
Willow,
You are perfect,
You are healthy and you are well.
Palmer Violet took Willow's hand and started to lead her back to the lake as the Queen said,
You'll need your umbrellas,
It's starting to rain.
The Queen was right,
It was raining.
It was raining miniature unicorns that were inside pink bubbles.
The dinkiest raindrop sized unicorns Willow had ever seen.
They were the size of raindrops and when they fell to the floor the bubble popped and the unicorns melted like snowflakes.
It was the prettiest rain shower ever.
Willow walked out of the palace,
Jumped into the upside down umbrella,
Whizzed onto the pink milkshake lake and back through the magic strawberry waterfall.
Along the way she opened her mouth wide this time,
Trying to catch the waterfall milkshake so she could always remember its taste.
Her face got covered as she did not mind.
Star was waiting for her on the other side of the lake and Willow said goodbye to her little fairy friend Palmer Violet.
So tired from her long day Willow drifted off to sleep again as she rode on the back of Star.
She was warm and comfortable and her eyes easily closed.
When her eyes opened she was back at home in her cosy,
Pink,
Pink dress.
In her cozy,
Comfortable bed.
It was morning time and the sun was shining brightly outside.
Willow sat up and stretched out her arms with a big happy yawn.
She smiled to herself and felt so excited about the world and she knew that she was well,
Healthy and happy.
But something also felt different for Willow.
It took her a little bit of time to work out what it was but then she smiled again.
She felt really good inside,
Like everything was positive and all of her worries had disappeared.
Woosh!
Like magic.
But then she remembered Neffy and the amazing adventure she'd had.
Or did she?
Because she wasn't in Neffy anymore but she didn't remember leaving it either.
She wondered was Neffy a dream?
Did people really live in the clouds?
Did she really meet the Queen?
And did she really get a sparkling silver bracelet that can only be felt with the heart?
Well I wasn't sure.
But as she got out of bed she smelled a waft of strawberry milkshake.
Maybe it wasn't a dream after all.
