Jack wiped the sweat from his forehead, before bringing the hoe into the dirt again. He and Jill had cleared out a rectangular area about 1 and a half metres by 1 and a half metres from weeds, branches and stones. While he tilled the cleared land, Jill was carrying the branches and broken stones to two stacks beside the house.
"I'll get the seeds and the watering can!" Jill ran around to the front of the house and disappeared from Jack's sight. Jack slightly laughed and continued to drag the hoe through the dirt.
Suddenly, he heard a shrill scream from Jill near the stable. "Jill!" Dropping the hoe, Jack dashed around the stable, almost falling over Jill, who was lying on the ground staring at a small imp-like creature in light-blue clothes and blue hat. Standing between Jill and the imp, Jack asked, "Who and what are you?"
The imp quickly responded. "I'm Harvest Sprite Karaf, of the Watering Team."
Jill had gotten up and pushed past Jack before kneeling in front of the sprite "You're a Harvest Sprite?"
"Yes! Yes! I don't know what you did but you brought me back! I'm back! I'll help any way I can!" The sprite thought for a moment then added, "Help the others, please?"
Jill pulled the small Harvest Sprite into a hug, "Of course we will."
The sprite was elated. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Hopping out of Jill's arms, the sprite took a deep breath to calm down then continued, "I need to go back to Harvest Sprite Inc." The sprite tossed his hands forward and small sparkles, the same colour as his clothing, shimmered around him. Then, the sprite disappeared, leaving sparkles that quickly twinkled away in his place.
So that's a Harvest Sprite, huh? Jack scratched the back of his neck, before tapping Jill on the shoulder. "Come on, Jill. Let's finish up and surprise Claire, okay?"
Jill stood up from her kneeling position. "Alright, let me just fill this watering can."
While Jill moved towards her discarded watering can, Jack dove for it first. "Got to be faster than that, sis!" Jack hopped up and held the watering over his head, out of reach of the shorter Jill.
"Give it back, silly." Jill laughed.
Jack backed up a few more steps, laughing all the while. "You'll have to get it first!"
Jill gave Jack a playful shove, while he was backing up another step. Losing his balance, Jack fell backwards into the small pond behind him. Jill skipped in and snatched the watering can he dropped.
"Tsk, looks like I got it."
"What are you two doing?" Claire walked in the farmyard, finding Jack soaked and Jill standing in the pond.
Uh-oh. Jack quickly hopped up. "You see, we found a Harvest Sprite, then I started messing with Jill, then I fell in."
"You found a Harvest Sprite!" Claire's disappointment with the pair melted away. "That's great, I just met with Guts. We can do this. All 101 Sprites!" Claire practically danced into the house.
Jack glanced towards Jill and lifted one eyebrow. Jill just shrugged before grabbing the bag of turnip seeds and quickly jogging towards the field. "I'll finish up and bring the tools back in."
"Okay, Jill!" Jack walked a few steps towards the house before stopping and whistled loudly. On cue, Greg ran towards Jack and leapt into his arms. "Good night, Greggy." He kissed the top of the pup's head before putting him down again. Jack jogged to the door of the house and walked in. Claire was sitting on the bed, reading a page in a new red book she was carrying when she came back. He opened the box he brought his stuff in and took out a rice ball.
"Check this out." Jack jumped slightly and almost dropped the rice ball he was eating.
Jack approached Claire, mouth half-full. "What is it, Claire?"
She tilted the book so he could see the page. It was detailed instructions to setting up a TV to access the Harvest Sprite Broadcasting Stations. "There's weather and TV Shopping and tips to make farming easier."
Jack swallowed the rice ball he was chewing. "That's great and all, but we don't have a TV in the first place."
"Right," Claire scratched her head, "that would be a problem."
Jill opened the door and entered the house, placing the watering can in the corner with the other tools. "I've finished with the seeds." She paused for a moment before adding, "So, Jack. Do you have any more of those rice balls?"
"Oh yeah, sure."Jack shoved the other half of the rice ball into his mouth and opened his box, taking two more rice balls out.
After Claire and Jill ate their share, the trio lay to rest: Claire on the bed, Jill in her sleeping bag, and Jack on a blanket on the floor.
