The Golden Acorn by Catherine Cooper Page A

pushed the kitchen door open a crack to see what was going on. There in the middle of the kitchen floor was a hole. Jack saw three small creatures roped together like mountaineers. They had a very wide mouths and Jack could see their sharp needle-like teeth as they grinned at each other. Soil was ground into their clothes. The middle one was holding a beautiful white rat, upside down, by its tail. The last one was half inside and half out of the hole. At the front was the leader of the gang. On his head was a fur hat with a lighted candle stuck into a holder. It flickered as the Spriggan shouted in a high-pitched voice. They were making far too much noise to notice Jack.
    ‘Puts the rat in the bag,’ ordered the leader in a high squeaky voice.
    ‘She’s mine,’ snarled the second Spriggan. ‘I nabbed her.’
    ‘She’s got to go to Him. He won’t allow anyone else to wears white.’
    Jack could see Motley’s tiny body shaking as he tried to explain.
    ‘Who are they talking about?’ Jack whispered.
    ‘Their Chief. He’ll want Orin for himself. Spriggans hunt rats. They make the males pull carts in the mines… eat the females… rat kebab is a delicacy… make their soft pelts into hats. See the leader… that candle holder’s a twisted rat’s tail… his hat used to be Rolph… one of our Night Guard.’
    Jack looked at the beautiful white rat. He couldn’t let her end up like Rolph. He had to do something.
    ‘Don’t worry Motley, I’ll get her back.’
    Jack burst into the kitchen. The Spriggans froze. The light from his wand blinded them. He held it high in the air and let the sparks fly out of the tip. He could see the Spriggans hopping around as hot embers landed on their brown leathery skin. Orin twisted up and bit the hand that held her.
    ‘Owwww!’ the Spriggan squealed, but he didn’t let go.
    Jack aimed his wand carefully above Orin and concentrated the tip into a glowing ball.
    ‘Hold still Orin,’ he shouted, and watched as her body went limp. He could see the fear in her jet black eyes. He let the ball of light fly towards the Spriggan’s arm. This time he dropped his prize.
    ‘Run Orin… over here,’ shouted Motley.
    ‘Take her up to my room and stay there,’ ordered Jack. ‘I’ll deal with this lot.’
    Motley and Orin disappeared. Jack turned to face the three intruders. The middle one was hopping wildly around the kitchen holding his arm and wailing. He was dragging the other two behind him. If Jack was to do anything he had to do it now while they were confused and tangled by the rope. He’d managed to toss the Bogie out of the bush by waving his wand. It might work again if he tried it on the Spriggans. He pointed it at the Spriggans’ feet and willed them back into the hole. To his amazement the three little creatures shot across the kitchen floor and disappeared into the tunnel.
    ‘Close!’ Jack commanded the gaping hole in the floor. It sealed itself instantly. No one would ever know the floor had been damaged. Jack put his wand in his pocket and turned on the light as Grandad came in through the door. The kitchen was a bit of a mess.
    ‘That fox got into the greenhouse,’ grumbled Grandad as soon as he saw Jack. ‘Dug a great hole right under the plant pots. It’s taken me ages to fill it in but I can’t have it damaging any more of my vegetables.’
    Grandad looked at the mess and smelt the air.
    ‘It’s been in here too. That’s my fault for leaving the back door open.’
    ‘I’ll help you clear it up.’
    ‘No it’s alright. You get yourself back off to bed and I’ll sort this lot out.’

    When Jack got back to his room Motley and Orin were sitting on the table. Orin looked shaken. Jack held his wand so he could talk to Motley.
    ‘They’ve gone.’
    ‘They’ll be back but not tonight… hope you don’t mind Jack… called the guards in… not safe to go back out yet.’
    Jack looked towards the window. He could see several tails hanging below the