Kim DiFranco washed her face, brushed her teeth, slipped into her soft pajamas, and climbed into bed. She couldn't wait to finish looking through the curious book she had found in the old wooden chest in her closet. The book was covered with dust. It must have been a hundred years old!

Kim opened the worn leather cover. Inside were pictures of a beautiful princess who lived in an enchanted forest. The princess loved and cared for the many animals who lived there.

In the forest was a lake where a silver swan lived. The swan could sing, talk and fly high in the sky. There was also a cute little elf who lived by the lake. The swan often carried the princess and the elf to faraway places. The swan, the princess, and the elf were the best of friends.

As Kim turned the last page of the book, a puff of shimmering gold dust filled the air. Kim blinked. There, in the middle of her room, stood the princess. At her side was the shining, silver swan. The swan sang:

"Strawberry, blueberry, and raspberry pie,
Come fly with us through the
magical sky."

"Don't be afraid, Kim," said the princess. "We have come to ask for your help."
"You see," added the swan, "our friend, Twinkle the Elf, is missing. He went out to play in the clouds this afternoon, and he is not yet home. Could you bring along Billy, Carol and Betty and help us search for Twinkle?"

"Of course!" Kim exclaimed.
"Please wait while I ask for permission."

Kim was back in a flash.

"Are you ready?" asked the silver swan.
"Oh, yes!" she replied.

The silver swan lowered her long, graceful neck and unfolded her wings, so that Kim and the princess could climb onto her back. With a whoosh of her wings, the swan flew out of the window and into the evening sky.

As Kim looked at Phoenix, Arizona below, the cool wind tickled her face. "Look," she laughed. "There's my home, and there's the park!" Before she could say "raspberry pie," they had picked up Billy, Carol and Betty on their way to the clouds.

As the magical swan soared up into the sky, everyone sang:

"Strawberry, blueberry, and raspberry pie,
On our swan's silver wings
up, up we fly!"

"The Moon looks soooo big!" exclaimed Kim.

"Look at that shooting star," said the princess. "Let's all make a wish."

Kim made her wish. She wanted the princess and the silver swan to find their friend, Twinkle the Elf. They all sang:

"Strawberry, blueberry, and raspberry pie,
We're sure to find Twinkle,
if we all try."

"We are getting close to Twinkle the Elf's favorite play area," announced the princess. "The clouds here are shaped like animals. Twinkle loves to play on them."

Billy, Carol and Betty gazed in amazement as Kim pointed at the cottony wonderland before them. No wonder Twinkle loved to play here!

The silver swan flew gracefully around the clouds, while everyone looked for the little elf.

"I think I see Twinkle," said Kim excitedly.
"Where?" asked the silver swan and the princess.
"He's right there on that dinosaur cloud!" cried Kim. The little elf was waving at them.

Twinkle bounced up and down with glee as the swan landed beside him.
"I'm so glad that you're here!" he exclaimed.
Kim was glad that they had found Twinkle. Her wish had come true.

"May we play with Twinkle on the clouds?" Kim asked.
"Of course you may," replied the silver swan.
Jumping on the clouds was just like bouncing on a trampoline. They did cartwheels, handstands, somersaults, back flips, and front flips. After a while, the princess reminded them that it was time to go home.

The silver swan made sure that her passengers were warm and cozy in her soft feathers before lifting off of the dinosaur cloud. She softly sang them a lullaby as they returned home.

"Strawberry, blueberry, and raspberry pie,
Sleep softly, little friends,
morning is nigh,
up, up we fly!"

Kim woke up as they landed in her room. She slid off of the swan's back and climbed into her bed. She knew that this was one adventure that she would never forget!

"Good night, Silver Swan," whispered Kim, "and thank you for taking us with you."
"Good night, Kim," whispered the swan. "I'm glad that you came. Sweet dreams."

Kim DiFranco

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