Corky had enjoyed himself so much he thought he would return to his cottage and think about what he had seen. In a flash there he was in his rocking-chair. This ability to be wherever he wanted, gave him great delight. He closed his eyes and could see the marvellous colours of the rainbow. 'It's like being there all over again' he said to himself. Pictures in the mind were wonderful things. Now he realised for the first time why his Gran used to keep talking about the past. She saw it all in her mind like a film, and in colour too.
He got up and looked at the map on the wall that Tiny had given him. 'I wonder what Magic Spring is like?'
Most interesting I assure you' came a voice from behind him. He turned round. It was Geraldine grinning at him through the window. 'Just poking my neck in' she said. 'May I come in?' Corky nodded and she walked round the cottage to the open doorway. Then bending down, in she came, stretched herself bumped her head on the ceiling, then sat down awkwardly. She surveyed her long straggly legs. 'What a ridiculous shape I am! One of the Creator's jokes, which proves He has a sense of humour. But there are compensations in life, Corky. I may be ill-formed but I am not ill-INformed and I can laugh at myself. Now that is a very great gift'.
Corky loved listening to her. It was the way she said things that amused him.
'As a matter of fact' she continued, 'I received it at the MAGIC SPRING - this ability to laugh'. Corky looked surprised.
'Wonderful things happen to everyone who drinks from its waters, for it has a transforming power'.
'Wot d'you mean?*
'It means it can change people and animals so that they feel different and live happily ever after'.
'Like wot 'appens in fairy stories?'
'Exactly. Now I used to be as grizzly as a bear because of my absurd appearance, then I found I could joke about it and this makes everyone at ease and they laugh with me, not AT me. I do hope you know the difference, Corky'. He nodded.
'Whenever you think of me - laugh. Laughter is infectious, just like measles and makes everyone round you laugh. Remember, a laugh a day keeps the doctor away'.
'Can we go to this Magic Spring?' Corky asked eagerly.
' Of course'.
'When?'
'Now if you like. Just THINK whom you'd like to take with us and they'll be there'.
Corky thought of all his friends and immediately they appeared. Already they knew his thoughts. 'Of course we don't mind going to the Magic Spring again' said Amy. 'Each time we see it through new eyes and now we shall see it through yours. Corky'.
'Wot change 'appened to you, then Amy?' he asked her.
'I lost my loneliness and the feeling that nobody wanted an old maid' she replied.
'And I lost my pride' bellowed- Leo 'as I told you when we first met'.
'And I lost my fear of Leo' said Pet, the lamb, 'and ever since we've been best friends'.
'And I became proud of being black and not ashamed' said Bazu.
Geraldine rose awkwardly from her chair and everyone laughed. Then she bumped her head again on the ceiling. 'See what I mean?' she said to Corky, and winked.
'Can we see Jack on the way?' asked Chubby.
'Of course' said Miss Wise.
'He's full of beans' said Geraldine, 'You'll appreciate my joke later. Corky'
And with that they all set off happily for the Magic Spring.
