characters
Billy
old man
cow
Uncle Sam
brownie
mum
Billy had a pedal car, which his uncle Sam had given him for his birthday. One day, Billy drove to the woods, where he met a brownie. The brownie said, “The bus must have been late. The brown rabbit drives it.” Billy said, “Come into my pedal car.” The brownie said, “You are so kind.”
Billy asked, “Where do you want me to take you?” The brownie said, “To the market for fairy folk, please.” Billy said, “Certainly,” and drove happily.
When they got there, it was just as the brownie had said. There were elves, goblins, pixies, and one pig with a shopping basket. Billy had never been there before. It was a magical place.
The brownie reminded him, “Park it over at the milk shop.” Billy did as he was told. He was surprised to see an old man keeping the milk shop. His cow had people milk her for themselves and pay her. Billy thanked the old man for the milk, and the old man thanked him back.
The brownie asked the old man, “Where is the cake and shoe shop?” The old man pointed and said, “Just follow that path.” The brownie and Billy did so. They met the brown rabbit in the cake shop. He told them his watch had gone wrong, and that he was late for his bus. The brownie bought a cake, and then bought some laces for his shoes in the shoe shop. “There’s a bit of magic in these,” the brownie said happily.
On the way home, the brownie pressed the horn. Honk, honk, went the car horn. The brownie gave Billy some sweets, which he had bought with his pocket money. Billy thanked him. The brownie said, “You’re welcome.”
They said goodbye to each other. The brownie said, “In two years’ time, don’t forget to beep your horn when you meet me in the woods.” Billy promised he would. He then told his mum about his adventure. She was amazed and delighted. She said, “What a lucky boy! Look, toffees and mints! What a kind brownie. Guess what years gone by Billy was a middle aged man the brownie now an elderly brownie who didn’t recognize Billy at all the endYears went by, and Billy grew up. He became a middle-aged man, with a job and a family of his own. He still had his pedal car, but he rarely used it. He had forgotten about the brownie and the market for fairy folk. He had other things to worry about, like bills and taxes and chores.
One day, he decided to take his pedal car for a spin, just for old time’s sake. He drove to the woods, where he had met the brownie. He did not expect to see him again, but he thought he would beep his horn anyway, as he had promised.
He did so, and to his surprise, he heard a faint reply. He looked around, and saw a small figure waving at him. It was the brownie, but he looked very old and frail. He had wrinkles and gray hair, and he walked with a cane. He smiled and said, “Hello, Billy. Long time no see.”
Billy was shocked and confused. He did not recognize the brownie at first, but then he remembered their adventure. He felt a surge of nostalgia and guilt. He wondered why he had not kept in touch with the brownie, and why he had let him slip from his memory. He got out of his pedal car, and walked towards the brownie. He said, “Hello, brownie. I’m sorry, I forgot your name.”
The brownie looked sad and hurt. He said, “You forgot my name? How could you forget my name? We were friends, Billy. We had fun together. We went to the market for fairy folk, remember? My name is Binky. Binky the brownie.”
Billy felt ashamed and sorry. He said, “I’m sorry, Binky. I do remember you, and our adventure. It was the best day of my life. But I got busy, and I grew up, and I forgot. Please forgive me, Binky. You were a good friend to me.”
Binky sighed and nodded. He said, “I forgive you, Billy. I understand. You had a life to live, and I had a life to live. We went our separate ways, and we changed. But I never forgot you, Billy. You were a good friend to me, too.”
They hugged each other, and felt a spark of their old friendship. They decided to catch up, and tell each other what had happened in their lives. They got into the pedal car, and drove to the market for fairy folk. It was still there, but it looked different. There were new faces and new things, but also some familiar ones. They saw the old man, the cow, the brown rabbit, and the pig. They greeted them, and bought some milk, cake, laces, and sweets. They also bought some gifts for their families.
They had a wonderful time, and felt like children again. They laughed and joked, and shared their stories and wisdom. They realized that they still had a lot in common, and that they still cared for each other. They decided to keep in touch, and visit each other more often.
They said goodbye to each other, and promised to meet again soon. They beeped their horns, and waved their hands. They smiled and said, “What a lucky day! What a kind friend!”