The Magical Ooly-Gagg Boots

Wizard Tandy sat in his chair, waiting. He looked at the parchments spread across the table. It was almost time.

He stood, glanced at the map again, and put on his robe. Then he picked up the magical Ooly-gagg boots—pronounced ooo-ly-gagg.

They were soft and glowed with rainbow-colored light. From deep within them, he could hear faint voices speaking softly.

He clasped the two pairs of boots tightly, wrapping them in his robe so they couldn't be seen. Then he opened a time portal and stepped inside.

He walked swiftly down the glowing pathway, following it until he reached a doorway that looked like a mountain trail. Pushing it open, he stepped onto a narrow path as the portal closed behind him.

He was high above the valley floor.

The sun was just peeking over the mountains to the east. Birds sang in the distance, and the scent of evergreen trees filled the morning air.

Looking down below, he spotted a camper and people moving about.

That's where the children were.

He needed to hurry.

Turning, he followed the path until he came to a bush blocking the way. Pulling it aside, he revealed an opening large enough for him to jump into a small cave below.

The cave was dark and smelled of tree roots and damp earth.

Looking around, he saw thick roots protruding from one side of the cave. Searching the ground, he found a rock with small jagged edges. Using it as a tool, he dug five or six footholds into the cave wall beside the roots, creating a way for the children to climb out.

When he finished, he crossed to the far side of the cave and removed the boots from his robe.

Carefully, he propped them against the wall.