by David Barron
Chapter Three Molly goes go to the land of Fluffa
Later that night molly being tired and not having seen fluff for some time, and of course it was getting quite late, she decided to go to bed. She was a little disappointed as Fluff had said that he would return, and that she was to have a big surprise, but thought he must have forgotten. Molly fell asleep and had been sleeping for a short while when she was woken by, a wet sensation on her cheek. She opened her eyes, and switching her night light on looked around. It was Fluff who told her to be very quiet and to get dressed and follow him. Molly said,
"Isn’t a bit late to be going anywhere," but the Fluffalump assured her that she would be back quite soon, and when Molly tried to push him for more, he became quite secretive, saying only that they had to hurry they were expected you know. Molly arose and dressing quickly followed Fluff down stairs and out the back door, and into the old shed.
"Now stand right here," he said pointing to the top of an old rusty bucket.
"What you want me to stand on that."
"Yes," said fluff, so she stood on the old bucket and felt rather foolish. Fluff jumped up into her arms and said,
"Open," and then she was whisked straight down into the earth, and looking up saw the earth close behind her. Molly was very scared, and held on tight too Fluff.
After what seemed like a long time, they arrived at a huge silver gate with a great brass knocker. Fluff leapt down, ran up his tail and gave it a thud against the door. The door squeaked and then slowly opened to reveal the most wondrous sight Molly had ever seen. Inside were great coloured balls, which she realised must be the Fluffalump houses, for they glowed and changed colour, all in an instant. There were paths of green and silver and gold. Trees unlike any she had ever seen, which hung with round fruits of all different shapes and sizes, and these too glowed with different colours. They walked slowly inside and were met by lots of Fluffalump's, and Molly realised that Fluff must be a boy, for the girls seemed to have babies hanging from their necks in balls. These were transparent, and showed the babies off rather well, Molly thought. One of the girls walked over to Molly,
"Hello Molly we’ve heard so much about you, welcome to the land of Fluffa." Molly said she was glad to be there and was delighted to meet her as well. Molly had lots of questions but thought it might be impolite to start asking straight away, when Fluff took her hand and led her to a bright lilac path, and said;
"Now we must meet the king Molly."
Molly said, "Ok I didn’t know you had one."
Fluff sniggered and said, "Oh yes he’s the best king we’ve ever had you know."
"He’s dying to meet you; we haven’t had any guests from your world, since Alice you know."
Molly said, "You don’t mean Alice from the story of Alice in wonderland do you?"
Fluff said, "I do indeed; she’s the reason why we don’t show ourselves to the humans anymore."
"Why what did she do Fluff?"
"Well it was a long time ago you know Molly, but she did a most dreadful thing."
"She grew up and told the humans about the hidden world, and we had to hide ourselves from the upper world for a very long time you know."
Molly said that she would never do anything as cruel as that, and always kept her word; she said her dad had always told her, your word is your bond Molly so never give it lightly. Molly was led along the path, until at last she saw a most splendid sight, for there on a small hill covered with colour changing stones, which Molly instantly recognised for she had been given one exactly like them from Fluff, as a present. Next to those stood a giant silver ball, the shape of which was slightly flattened on the top. On both sides were smaller balls, and all were of a shimmering gold, with topaz stripes, and a candy striped path led to a door of solid gold. The door had two Fluffalump's on either side holding staffs, which Molly presumed must be the king’s guards.
The doors were pulled open at their approach, and they were ushered inside by a very elegant Fluffalump who was not like the rest for she had a very much longer tail, at least Five foot long. She smiled at them, and bid them come inside. They followed her through the doors, and once inside Molly could only look in amazement, for they were walking through a small field with butterflies and small birds, following them all around. In front of them at a distance there sat a very regal looking Fluffalump who sat on a tall throne of the most wonderful emerald green, his clothes were of gossamer and shimmered with the many different colours of the surroundings. He had upon his head a crown, but when Molly got closer she realised that it was not a crown, but a silver and gold striped bucket. Molly thought he looked very wise, but a bit silly with a bucket on his head, but kept her thoughts to herself, and was then asked by Fluff to sit on the silver bucket in front of him.
He looked down at her and smiled, then asked,
"What do you think of Fluffa," Molly said, that it was a most beautiful and magical place, and that she was glad that she had been asked to come and visit. The king then smiled, and said,
"Of course Molly you must keep this entire secret even from your parents." Molly said that she would never tell, and that she was very good at keeping secrets.
"Good," he said, "Then let me show you round my kingdom", and told one of his attendants, "To fetch the magic tail." Molly was further astonished when from somewhere two Fluffalump's appeared with a giant tail, which was at least ten foot long and six foot wide. She was then asked to step aboard, and when she got closer she noticed that there were seats on the tail, they were dug into it and if she sat down only her top half would be seen from below. On the top edge there was a silver hand rail, which she could hold onto. After all had taken their places aboard the tail, it lifted from the ground, and she started her magical journey through the land of Fluffa, with the king pointing out objects of interest. There below she saw the purple booginum's, the yellow docielitter's, and the best ever, the green grattiefold's. She didn’t know what they were but the king explained that they were like some of the animals of her world, except that they were all magic of course. They flew round for hours and after a while Molly was starting to feel really tired, but was trying to keep her eyes open as she didn’t want to miss a thing. They landed back in the spot they had taken off from and the king said that he hoped one day to see her again, and told Fluff to take her home.
After all had said their goodbyes Fluff then led the way back to the silver gates, entrance to the land of Fluffa. Once again they stood outside and Fluff said the magic words, then they were home, and she was in bed, and soon fell fast asleep. Molly had the strangest dreams then she had ever had in her whole life, which wasn’t much. Molly awoke early and was sure that she had been dreaming, looked under the bed for Fluff, but could not see him. She made her way downstairs and after breakfast, went out to play in the garden, where a soft blanket of snow had fallen during the night. Her mum had insisted that she wear her wellington boots, and so she had been allowed, to go out and build a snowman. She was well wrapped up so, stayed out for some time, only coming back in again for her lunch. Molly never seen Fluff again all though the rest of the winter break, and wondered if he hibernated like some animals, she would have to ask him, when next he appeared.