Patrick and the Elf PAGE 0NE Patrick went into the orchard at his grandfather’s house. He was amazed to see the enormous number of apples that had fallen from the trees to the ground. He decided to pick up all the apples and put them into boxes. PAGE TWO He collected two large boxes from the garden shed and wrote “ good apples” on the first box and “bad apples” on the second one. He then began the task of picking up the apples and sorting them into their correct box. PAGE THREE Patrick worked very hard for a longtime. He began to wonder if he would ever finish this task. He imagined the look of pleasure on his grandfather’s face when he had picked up all of the apples. He would be so pleased. For this reason alone, Patrick decided that he would continue to work as hard and fast as he could. PAGE FOUR Secretly, however, he really did wish that he could find a quicker and easier way of working. He was afraid that it might get dark before he had finished. Tomorrow, he was going to return home to Dover with his parents, so there really was very little time. PAGE FIVE Suddenly, he heard a squeaky voice coming from behind one of the apple trees. ‘Patrick,’ it said, ‘Patrick, I can grant you one wish because I am a magic elf and I live in this garden’. PAGE SIX Patrick was amazed by what he had heard and stood still for a moment to see if he was dreaming. The voice called to him again. ‘Patrick. Patrick. Here I am,’ said the tiny elf as he jumped out from behind the smallest apple tree. Patrick stared at him, with an expression of astonishment on his face. ‘Are you really an elf,’ whispered Patrick, ‘or am I dreaming?’ PAGE SEVEN The tiny elf danced and hopped amongst the fallen apples. He was a very happy elf and Patrick felt happy just watching him. ‘Will you be my friend?’ asked Patrick. He replied most heartily, ‘Oh, yes; I’d love to be your friend’. They ran together around the orchard, hiding behind the trees and chasing each other. They were having a lot of fun. PAGE EIGHT Suddenly, Patrick stopped playing and sat down on the grass. He bent his head and sighed. The tiny elf was very worried and danced over to him saying, ‘Patrick, why are you so sad?’ Patrick looked up at him and said, ‘Well, tiny elf, I made a secret promise to myself that I would pick up all of the apples in the orchard and put them into boxes. I want to do it as a special surprise for my grandfather. He is a very old man who gets tired easily.’ ‘Patrick!’ exclaimed the elf, ‘don’t be so sad - have you forgotten - I can grant you one wish? I am a magic elf.’ PAGE NINE Patrick was overjoyed and jumped up and took the tiny elf’s hand, sqeezing it gently. ‘Please, little friend, please put all of the good apples in the first box and all of the bad ones in the second box’. ‘Alright, Patrick, but first you must close your eyes’. Patrick closed his eyes tightly and when he opened them, he saw that the orchard was very tidy. The elf had done exactly what he had requested. PAGE TEN Patrick looked around for his little friend, but he was nowhere to be found. However, he then heard a squeaky voice calling to him, ‘Goodbye, Patrick. You can’t see me anymore because your wish has been granted, but if you come back on the same day next year, I’ll be here again’. PAGE ELEVEN Patrick walked up to the house which was situated at the other end of the garden. His grandfather was sleeping outside in an old, wicker chair. When he awoke, Patrick took his hand and led him into the orchard. His grandfather was exceptionally pleased. He said, ‘What a fine boy you are, Patrick, and what a lucky grandfather I am to have such a wonderful grandson. After tea, I’m going to tell you a special fairytale about the elves that live in this garden’. PAGE TWELVE Patrick smiled widely and his grandfather winked at him. This was one of the best days of his life. They walked back together up to the house and ate strawberry cake for tea. Patrick now believes that dreams can come true. THE END