Once Upon a Time: New Fairy Tales Paperback(120)

At midafternoon, they came to a river, and he was able to swim and

cool himself off. Blanchefleur refused to go anywhere near the water.

“I’m not a fish,” she said. “Are you quite done? We still have a long way to go.”

Ivan splashed around a bit more, then got out and dried himself

as best he could. They followed the river south until it was no longer a river but a series of creeks running through low hills covered with willows, alders, and sycamores. Around the creeks grew cattails, and where the water formed into pools, he could see water lilies starting to bloom. They were constantly crossing water, so Ivan carried Blanchefleur, who did not like to get her feet wet.

“There,” she said finally. “That’s where we’re going.” She was

pointing at one of the low hills. At first, Ivan did not see the stone house among the trees: it blended in so well with the gray trunks.

Ivan walked through a narrow creek (he had long ago given up on

keeping his shoes dry) and up the hill to the house. He knocked at

the door.

From inside, he heard a crash, then a “Just a moment!” Then

another crash and the voice yelling, “Get out of there at once, Number Seven!”

There were more crashes and bangs, and then the door opened, so

abruptly that he stepped back, startled. He might have been startled anyway, because who should be standing in front of him but a lizard, who came almost up to his shoulders, in a long brown duster and a feathered hat askew over one ear.

“I’m so glad you’re here!” she said. “They’ve been impossible today.

But they are dears, really they are, and the Lady told me that you were a competent nursemaid. You are competent, aren’t you?” Without waiting for a reply, she continued, “Oh, it’s good to see you again, Blanchefleur. Did you like the shrunken head I sent you from Peru?”

“Not particularly,” said the white cat.

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? Blanchefleur ?

“Splendid!” said the lizard. “Now I’ll just be off, shall I? My

train leaves in half an hour and I don’t want to miss it. I’m going to Timbuktu, you know. Train and then boat and train again, then

camel caravan. Doesn’t that sound fun? Do help me get my suitcases

on the bicycle.”

The bicycle was in a sort of shed. Ivan helped her tie two suitcases onto a rack with some frayed rope that he hoped would hold all the way to the station.

“Such a handy one, your young man, my dear,” said the lizard to

Blanchefleur.

“He’s not—” said Blanchefleur.

“Kisses to you both! Ta, and I’ll see you in a year! If I survive the sands of the Sahara, of course.” And then she was off on her bicycle, down a road that ran across the hills, with her hat still askew. As she rode out of sight, Ivan heard a faint cry: “Plenty of spiders, that’s what they like! And don’t let them stay up too late!”

“Don’t let who stay up too late?” asked Ivan.

“Us!” Ivan turned around. There in the doorway stood five—no,

six—no, seven lizards that came up to his knees.

“Who are you?” he asked.

“These are her children,” said Blanchefleur. “You’re supposed

to take care of them while she’s gone. Don’t you know who she is?

She’s Emilia Lizard, the travel writer. And you’re her nursemaid.”

Blanchefleur seemed amused at the prospect.

“But the Lady said I was supposed to help,” said Ivan. “How can I

help someone who’s on her way to Timbuktu? I don’t know anything

about taking care of children—or lizards!”

“It’s easy,” said one of the lizards. “You just let us do anything we want!”

“Eat sweets,” said another.

“Stay up late,” said yet another.

“Play as long as we like,” said either one who had already spoken

or another one, it was difficult to tell because they kept weaving in and out of the group, and they all looked alike.

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? Theodora Goss ?

“Please stand still,” he said. “You’re giving me a headache. And tell me your names.”

“We don’t have names,” said one. “Mother just calls us by numbers,