One morning as an old woman was going to fetch her water, she noticed a little tree growing by the side of the path. That poor little tree! It was more like a twig standing upright in the ground, with a few skinny branches and a handful of withered leaves.
One by one, the children of Juniper Lane found their way into the secret garden. They had picnics on the grass, and played games, and made flower crowns for the stone lion’s head. And though the stone lion’s expression never changed, somehow it seemed pleased to have the children’s company.
There was once a little stone house in a hollow in the woods. Oh, but it was a lovely little house, snug and warm and dry! But no one even knew the house was there – except the wind, and the birds and the mice.
When Tegan closes her eyes and listens carefully, she can hear butterflies fluttering, ants marching, even whales swimming in the sea. Then one night, she hears someone crying in the castle.