“I’m glad Granny Sprite liked our idea,” Sprite said, as he and Hazel left the palace.
“It’s a good thing the head chef liked it, too,” Hazel said. “Just think, Sprite. If this works, we will solve two problems instead of one! I can’t wait to get back to the elf workshop.”
Hazel reached into her pocket. “Should we use the pixie dust?”
“Let’s walk,” Sprite said. “I don’t want to get dizzy again!”
The two fairies hurried back to the elf workshop. Sprite felt happy, but a little nervous, too. The idea would only work if they could get Stinky to agree.
By the time they reached the elf workshop, the elves were ending their work for the day. They found Stinky packing stacks of cheese into a picnic basket.
“Hello again,” Stinky said, smiling. “Would you like to have supper with me? I’m having cheese sandwiches, cheese soup, and cheese ice cream.”
Hazel made a face. Sprite flew in front of her before she could say something that would hurt Stinky’s feelings.
“No thank you, Stinky,” Sprite said. “We’re here on business. You are needed in the Queen’s palace.”
Stinky frowned. “And leave my cheese? Never!”
“You don’t have to,” Hazel said. She handed Stinky a rolled-up piece of paper that the head chef had given her.
“Chief Mouse Wrangler?” Stinky read. “What does this mean?”
“The mice in the kitchens won’t stop eating the food,” Hazel explained. “The head chef wants you to move to the kitchens and feed the mice with your cheese.”
“It’s so delicious, the mice won’t want to eat anything else,” Sprite added.
“That’s true,” Stinky said. He looked thoughtful.
The other elves had quietly gathered around. They looked at Stinky hopefully.
“But what about my cheese creations?” Stinky asked. “I love to make things with cheese.”
“The head chef is giving you your own kitchen,” Hazel said. “You can play with cheese all day if you want.”
“That sounds nice,” Stinky said. “But what about my friends? I will miss the other elves.”
“You can come back and visit any time!” one elf called out.
“Just leave your cheese at the palace,” Fixit muttered.
The workshop was quiet as the Sprite, Hazel, and the elves waited for Stinky’s decision. Soon the round-faced elf smiled.
“I’ll do it!” he said.
The elves crowded around Stinky, cheering and patting him on the back. Sprite and Hazel quietly left the workshop.
“We did it again!” Sprite said. “We should celebrate.”
“I know what I’m going to do,” Hazel said.
“What’s that?” Sprite asked.
“I’m going to take a bath!” she said. “I smell like cheese!”
