Read Leprechaun in Late Winter for Free Online

we cross. Hop from stone to stone after me.” Willy disappeared into the mist, crossing the river. Annie followed him.
    Jack started across, too. He tried to hop carefully from stone to stone, but the stones were slippery. On his third hop, his boot slid off a mossy rock, and he splashed into the freezing water!
    “Jack, are you okay?” Annie called in a loud whisper.
    “Yeah, yeah, I’m fine!” Jack said. He scrambledup. His clothes were soaked and heavy. He really was miserable now. He waded to the other side of the river and joined Annie and Willy.
    “Ah, you fell in,” said Willy. “That happens sometimes. Come with me now, into the forest.”
    Jack, Annie, and Willy walked under the trees. They passed old oaks and maples that creaked in the wind. Jack shivered in his soaking wet clothes.
    A big black crow called from a high, bare branch.
    Willy jumped, then laughed. “Ah, ’tis probably Patrick Daly,” he said. “Rumor is the Shee changed him into a crow for stealing a pair of the High Queen’s shoes.”
    “Changed him into a crow?” said Jack.
    Willy nodded. “One of the Shee’s favorite tricks,” he said, “changing humans who displease them into animals.”
    “Oh,” said Jack.
    A white rabbit scampered through the forest. “That bunny over there is no doubt the former Mrs. Shan McCartie. She was rude to the High King,” said Willy.

    “Rude to the High King?” said Jack. He was starting to feel like he was trapped in a nightmare.
    “The Shee cannot bear the rudeness of humans,” said Willy. “Look there.” He pointed to a fawn peeking out from behind a fir tree.
    “Aww, it’s so cute,” said Annie.
    “Cute? Maybe. Maybe not,” said Willy. “Could easily be old John Foley. I heard he was changed just for being a grouch! Come along.”
    Willy led Jack and Annie through the forest until they came to a tangle of briars and brambles. “The hollow hill of the Shee lies just beyond this thicket,” he said to them. “Do you still want to go and find your friend?”
    “Yes,” Jack and Annie both whispered.
    “Then off you go, and good luck to you,” said Willy, tipping his hat.
    “What? Aren’t you coming with us?” said Jack.
    “Oh, my, no,” said Willy. “The Shee would befurious if they knew I’d shown humans the path to their secret hiding place. And I certainly don’t want to live the rest of my life as a weasel.”
    “But won’t they be angry at
us
for finding their secret hiding place?” said Jack.
    “Possibly,” said Willy. “Here’s what I recommend you do: politely tell the High King and the High Queen that you’ve just come looking for your dear friend to take her back to her loving family. The Shee place very great value on friendship and family.”
    “Okay,” said Jack. “Friendship and family …”
    “And remember: be simple, direct, and honest at all times,” said Willy.
    “Simple, direct, honest,” repeated Jack.
    “And polite, that’s the most important—very, very polite,” said Willy.
    “Very polite,” said Annie. “Got it.”
    “Another thing,” said Willy. “In the world of the Shee, the old tales still live. So do not be afraid if you see odd sights floating about. They’re justbits and pieces of the old stories. Now go. Be simple, direct, honest, and polite, and save your dear friend before she’s lost forever.”
    “Thanks, Willy,” said Annie.
    “Best of luck,” said Willy.
    “See you later,” said Jack.
    “Aye, I’ll be waiting for you,” said the leprechaun.
    Jack and Annie crouched down and started through the thicket. Thorns and briars pulled at Jack’s wet coat. They scratched his hands and got caught in his hair.
    Jack battled his way through the tangled brush until he caught up with Annie. They both pushed their way out of the thicket and stepped into a glade.
    “Wow, it’s like Mary said,” whispered Annie. “It
is
like summer here.”
    No rain fell. No wind blew. Warm sunshine shone on the emerald-green