It was December and in a corner of an old stable stood a little green tree.  He had been such a happy little tree living with lots and lots of other  trees, and braving all kinds of weather, snow, rain, sunshine and cold winds.  His green leaves known as needles,  kept him warm in the winter and in the summer he would shed some of his needles so that he would feel cooler.  Life was good in the great outdoors and he was very happy.

One day some men came with shovels and trucks and started to dig all the  trees up. He was quite excited at the thought of an adventure as he had never lived anywhere else in his life.

The wind and rain battered the small shed in the woods. The thunder roared overhead and the lightning streaked through the trees, crackling as it went. Through the cracked window covered with cobwebs Sheila and Ben could see menacing shadows. Was someone out there? So many weird noises. Were there really witches who lived in these woods? They guessed they would soon find out.

They hid under a sack they had found to hide away as they were frightened and all alone. It had been sunny and warm when they had decided to play truant from school and play in the woods. School was so boring and they could not wait to leave. Why did they have to go every day? What a drag.. The woods were exciting and every time they came it was different.

Pippa Alderton lived in the big house on the edge of the village of Bardale, in the Surrey commuter belt. She was an only child and never wanted for anything. She was so spoiled she expected what she wanted when she wanted it and had no time for anything or anyone else.

She went to the most expensive private School in the area in the nearby town of Trussell Marston. Apart from one or two girls who she tolerated so that she could order them about, she had no real friends. Pippa ruled the roost and was happy in her own spoiled little world.

Written By Lenard W. Eccles