Barnaby's Secret Water Mission

Lily pressed her pretend spyglass—an old paper towel roll—to her eye and crept through the tall grass. She was on a Very Important Mission. Behind her, Barnaby, her golden retriever, wagged his tail so hard his whole body wiggled. He thought they were playing. He didn't know he was about to become a hero.

The sun beat down as they reached Willow Creek. Lily sighed. The creek bed was dry—just cracked mud and scattered rocks. No water meant no frogs, no fish, no nothing.

Barnaby started running toward the old willow tree at the creek's edge, barking excitedly. Lily chased after him. "Barnaby! Wait!"

Under the tree's drooping branches, Barnaby dug furiously. Dirt flew everywhere. "Barnaby, no!" Lily cried, but then she stopped.

A soft blue light pulsed from the hole Barnaby had dug. Inside, nestled in the mud, was a tiny creature no bigger than Lily's thumb—a Water Sprite with translucent wings like a dragonfly and skin that shimmered like pearls. It looked weak, its wings drooping.

"The water's gone," the sprite squeaked in a voice like wind chimes. "We need the hidden spring to wake it up again."

Lily gasped. The Hidden Spring! Her grandmother had told her stories about the magical spring that fed Willow Creek, buried somewhere nearby. "We'll find it!"

Barnaby sniffed the ground, then took off running again. This time, Lily knew to follow. The dog had the sprite's scent.

They raced through meadows and over hills until Barnaby stopped at a pile of ordinary-looking rocks. He scratched at one particular stone. Lily pushed it aside, and water bubbled up—sparkling, glowing, magical water that rushed underground toward Willow Creek.

The sprite's wings fluttered. "Thank you!" she cried, growing stronger as the water flowed. She touched Lily's nose with one tiny finger. "You and your brave dog saved us all. Whenever you need us, just splash water three times, and we'll come."

By sunset, Willow Creek was full again—frogs croaking, fish darting, water sparkling under the moon. Lily and Barnaby lay in the grass, watching fireflies dance.

"Some spy you are," Lily whispered, hugging Barnaby's furry neck. "You're the best secret-keeper ever." Barnaby licked her face, and Lily knew this was just the first of many adventures they'd share together.