From acorn to sapling 11/13

“Why, from the streams that run into the main river from higher up in the hills. “They’re called tributaries you know,” he added condescendingly.

“If I flew you to the upper reaches, do you think it might be possible to put a dam across each of the smaller streams, then the water wouldn’t flow into the lake and we could get rid of it. The small dams could be removed one at a time without causing any disaster in the village.”

Fundin looked at her with a bit more respect than he usually did, when he heard other people suggesting answers to a problem that was worrying him.

“I’ve been told about your bright ideas by several people,” he said, “but I’ve never really thought of them as being true before. There’s only one snag that I can see, how do you intend building all the dams we’ll need quickly enough?”

“I’m sure Abigail will show me a suitable spell, or even make the dams herself. I know she thinks the lake is creating a serious problem and she should be only too willing to help. May I suggest that we fly up into the hills now and see how many streams there are and how high each of the dams will have to be?”

Fundin agreed and made notes of the locations and the height required at each place. Jennifer Jane took him back to Arthur’s castle and then went to find Abigail in the Witches’ Home. As she expected, Abigail was only too pleased to help.

“I’ll build the small dams for you, then teach you how to knock them down when they’ve done their job. It’s a much easier spell to learn, let’s just hope that your idea works!”

Abigail went across to Esmerelda’s shop and asked for Jennifer Jane to be given the next day off, so that she and Fundin could make sure that the smaller dams were being built in the right place.

“Why don’t we all have a day’s holiday, then we can have a picnic and watch you working,” replied Esmerelda.

The next day the party had grown to include Jennifer Jane’s parents, who just managed to squeeze onto her scooter, Esmerelda, Ermintrude and Dulcibella from the shop and several of the witches from the Home.

Fundin and his workers all came, riding in Arthur’s carrying box where there was still enough room to pick up one or two of the villagers who wanted to see the lake for themselves. The landlord of the George and Dragons closed the pub for the day and brought a lot of food and drink for the picnic.

Most of the crowd stayed at the top of the original dam to enjoy the food, but Arthur carried anyone who wanted to see the magic in operation and with his long strides was able to keep pace with the flying workers.

All went well and by the time they al arrived back at the picnic; the original riverbed had dried out. The workers relaxed in the sunshine and tried to catch up with the amount of food and drink that everyone else had consumed.

At last everyone decided to go home. Fundin reckoned that it would be at least two days before it would be worth checking the water level, but Jennifer Jane privately made up her mind to come back every lunchtime to see for herself.