One day as the Fairy Health sat within her Rose Arbor, there came walking down the road a tiny Elf. He had a merry face and a bright smile, and pausing beside the Garden Gate, he asked:
“Does Health live here?”
“I am Health,” said the Fairy, and rose to greet him. The Elf drew from his pocket a little card, on which was written “Cho-Cho, the Friend of Children,” and presented it to the Fairy.
“I come,” he said, “to view the wonders of your Garden, and to learn from you the secrets of a Child’s Heart.”
The good Fairy took Cho-Cho’s hand and leading him by many lovely paths, came at length into a Field of ripening Oats. On the borders of the Field grew flowers of many colors, and the air was filled with perfume.
Health paused and said: “As long as these beautiful Oats flourish I know that everywhere in all this great country Children can eat Oatmeal for their breakfast and grow strong and healthy, but if the Oats should wither and die, something dreadful would happen to the Children.”
Even as she spoke, a strange light settled on the Oat Field, and the beautiful waving grain began to shrivel and wither away.
A look of terror came into the Fairy’s eyes. As Cho-Cho turned to clasp her hand in sympathy, suddenly there stood beside him a handsome Persian Cat.
“Don’t lose heart, little Fairy,” said Puss, “I will help you. Last night, as I was walking in the moonlight, I saw an ugly old Witch creep into your garden.
“In her hand she carried a large strong box. I hid behind a bush and saw her open the box. As she raised the lid, out sprang swarms of tiny insects and flew toward the Oat Field. The Witch laughed a harsh laugh, and said, ‘Go, little imps—work quickly, for your time is short.’