As they came to the edge of the woods, Aggie stopped the cart
Hey, I'm back. Sorry for taking so long. I wanted the wording to be just right. Enjoy, and please leave some feedback (if you can).
Ella was out by the pond, clutching a net. Socrates was perched on her shoulder.
"Are you sure this will work?" she asked the owl, "You have to admit, it does sound a little corny."
"But that's how we do it," said Socrates. "Just hold the net out and say 'jump'."
"Alright." Ella stuck her net out over the water. "Jump!" she said. A large trout jumped out of the water and into the net. Ella gasped in amazement. "Oh my gosh!" she exclaimed, "That's…cool."
"Told ya," Socrates smirked.
Areida was over in the barn. She had to get some milk from Clarabelle. This proved difficult, since every time she got close to her, Angus would, angrily, shoo her away.
Just then, Socrates flew in. "How's everything in here?" he asked.
"I can't get the milk," Areida stated, "Every time I get close, Angus gets mad."
Socrates thought for a moment, then replied, "Have you tried asking him for permission?"
Areida was surprised for a second. "Does that work?"
"If you don't try, how will you ever know?"
Nervously, Areida turned back to Angus. "Angus," she said, "I'd like to get some milk, please."
Politely, Angus bowed his head, allowing Areida to approach. Areida placed the bucket under Clarabelle's utters, and, like magic, Clarabelle filled it up. (USE YOUR IMAGINATION)
"Neat!" stated Areida, as she picked up the bucket.
"See what happens when you try?" said Socrates.
Ella was now over by the old honey tree behind the orchard. Ella was trying to get some honey, but the swarm of bees wouldn't let her near the hive. She turned to Socrates, who was perched on the branch above her.
"Okay," she said, "What's the trick?"
"Ask for their permission," answered Socrates.
"Okay," replied Ella.
"Can I please have some honey?" she said to the bees.
The swarm, immediately, dispersed.
"Now place the jar in the tree."
Ella placed her honey jar into a hole in the tree. A minute later, she pulled the full honey jar out of the tree.
"Sweet," said Ella.
"Indeed," responded Socrates.
Half an hour later, the girls returned to the house with their small harvest. They had gotten a small wagon from the shed, when they realized that they couldn't carry everything back at once (and they just didn't feel like making two trips). Although all of the tasks had been quick and easy, some of them had required the girls to get dirty and sweaty.
Aggie was waiting in the kitchen when they entered. She had every fire in the kitchen going; the stove, the oven, the cooking pot over the hearth and a spit were all ready and waiting.
"Well," she said, clearly impressed by everything they'd brought. "This is quite a harvest."
Just then, she noticed how the girls were covered with sweat and dirty.
"My," she said, wearily, "you both look…" Aggie was too polite to say 'filthy.' "Why don't you both go and clean up in the bathhouse?"
"That would be nice," Ella sighed.
"It's out back. To get in, you must…" She looked both girls square in the eye. "Listen carefully, girls. This is the important part. To get in, you have to knock three times. No more, no less. Got it?"
"We got it," Areida nodded. She followed Ella out the door.
Out in the backyard, the girls found a small outhouse. The girls were less than impressed. The outhouse was so small it seemed only one person could barely fit into it at a time. And it looked like no one had used it in years.
"Are you sure this is the right spot?" asked Areida.
Ella sighed, "Only one way to find out."
Ella went up to the door and knocked. "One, two…three."
Suddenly, they heard movement from inside. The door opened, and a young Frenchman greeted the girls.
"Bonsoir, mademoiselle," he said, "I am Jean-Paul, and I, along with my colleagues, will be attending to you tonight. If you will please, follow me."
Ella and Areida followed Jean-Paul into the bathhouse. It was much larger on the inside and resembled a day spa. Inside, they were introduced to Jean-Paul's colleagues, another young man, and two young women. One of the girls was also French. The other two were latinos. "This is Carlos, Claudia, and Bridgette." They smiled and bowed.
"So," began Jean-Paul, "How can we help you girls tonight?"
"Well," said Areida, "I was just thinking about a nice, long shower."
"Actually, it's been so long since I've had a bubble bath in," said Ella.
Jean-Paul nodded. If you would follow Claudia and Bridgette, they'll show you where to change.
Ella and Areida followed Claudia and Bridgette to a changing room, where the girls changed out of their dresses and into some bathrobes. Then, Claudia led Areida down one hall to the showers. Ella followed Bridgette into another room where a bubble bath had already been drawn for her. The water looked so warm and inviting and sudsy. Ella slipped out of her bathrobe and into the bath.
"Ohhhh!" she sighed. She couldn't remember the last time she was this relaxed. A part of her wanted to just go to sleep, but she resisted. She did, however, lay her head back and just blocked out the stress of her life.
She lost track of how long she'd been in the bath, but after what had felt like several hours, (not really, it just felt like that) Ella got up and quickly washed herself off. As she got out of the bath, Bridgette handed her a towel. Ella dried off and slipped back into her bathrobe.
She met up with Areida in the changing room.
"Oh my gosh!" Ella exclaimed, "That was so relaxing!"
"I know," replied Areida, "I was so relaxed, I almost didn't want to get out of the shower."
Jean-Paul and Carlos entered the changing room and handed the girls their dresses, which they had washed, while they'd been taking their baths. The girls, quickly, changed back into their dresses.
As they returned to the front door, they thanked Jean-Paul and the others.
"Please, have a mint leaf," Carlos said, holding up a bowl of mint leaves.
"Uh, thanks," said Ella, as she and Areida each took a mint leaf. "Ooh, minty!"
"Well, thank you all for a very relaxing experience," said Areida.
The group bowed.
"Feel free to come back any time," said Bridgette.
"Thanks," said Ella and Areida, together. And they left and headed back to the farmhouse.
