The Golden Acorn

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Book: Read The Golden Acorn for Free Online
Authors: Catherine Cooper
Tags: Ages 8 and up
quite safe as long as you don’t hold it in your right hand.’
    Jack’s mouth was open again, which seemed to amuse Elan.
    ‘Wouldn’t it be better if he didn’t hold it at all?’ Camelin grumbled as he twisted and turned to try and see the damage to his tail.
    ‘If you haven’t got anything good to say, don’t say anything at all,’ Nora snapped.
    Camelin gave a loud humph and flew into the nearest tree.
    ‘We’d better be getting back for tea,’ said Nora and set off along the path. Jack and Elan followed a little way behind.
    ‘Do all water nymphs look like Jennet?’
    ‘Oh no!’ Elan laughed. ‘She’s good looking compared to the others!’
    Jack wasn’t sure he needed to meet any more water nymphs.
    ‘Why was she so excited about the marble?’
    ‘It could have been anything shiny. Nymphs like sparkly things too. It really doesn’t matter as long as it’s not reflective.’
    ‘Why?’
    ‘They’ve no idea that they aren’t beautiful. If Jennet saw her reflection she wouldn’t be very happy. Nymphs can do quite a lot of damage when they get upset.’
    The last thing Jack wanted to do was annoy Jennet. She didn’t look very pleased, even when she was laughing.
    ‘If you ever need help call her name through the water but make sure you’ve something to give to her in return.’
    ‘Would she get upset if she didn’t like what I offered her?’
    ‘It’s possible but she’d be more likely to disappear and refuse to come up again. It’s best to carry something at all times. You never know when you might need help. Camelin’s got a lot in common with water nymphs. He hoards anything in his loft if it sparkles or shines. The only difference is he likes mirrors. He’s very proud of his appearance.’
    Jack thought Camelin and Jennet had something else in common too. They both seemed grumpy and bad tempered.
    ‘Did you say Camelin has a loft?’
    ‘Yes, up there. Can you see it?’
    Elan pointed to the roof of Ewell House which was just visible through a gap in the trees.
    ‘That round window is Camelin’s ‘front door’. He has the whole attic to himself. I’m sure he’d give you something to keep in your pocket if you asked him.’
    Jack didn’t want to ask Camelin for anything. He decided to go through his things later. He was sure he’d have something a water nymph might like, just in case.
    It wasn’t long before they reached the hedge. Nora stood and raised her arms. Jack heard the rustling and scrunching as the hedge parted again. Even though he’d seen it happen earlier, it still made his legs tremble.
    Camelin was already in the garden. He was prancing up and down on the lawn with a small twig in his beak. He stopped when he saw them and made a great flourish in the air. Jack looked at his own wand and wondered what would happen if he did the same. Somehow, he didn’t think he’d be allowed to use it without supervision for a while, although he was desperate to find out what it could do. His thoughts were interrupted when a large white goose waddled around the corner and cackled loudly. She stopped abruptly and stared at Jack.
    ‘This is Gerda,’ said Nora, as the goose stretched her neck to get a better look. She nodded her head several times then started cackling at Nora.
    ‘She’s pleased to meet you.’
    Jack nodded back to Gerda.
    ‘Can she speak too?’
    ‘Only to Camelin and Nora,’ explained Elan, ‘but she understands everything we say.’
    Jack was relieved that not all the birds in Nora’s garden could talk.
    ‘Gerda’s our watch-goose. She helps to keep unwanted visitors out,’ explained Elan.
    The large goose snapped her beak and raised her wings. She shook her feathers, flicked her tail and cackled loudly again before waddling over to the pile of food Nora was sprinkling on the patio.
    ‘Perhaps after we’ve eaten you could try and get to know Camelin a bit better,’ urged Nora.
    At the mention of his name Camelin swooped down and landed in

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