The Shilpit boys are nowhere to be seen today. Maybe they are somewhere carrying out unprecedented acts of contrition to make amends for yesterday's dastardly behaviour. I think it is more likely they have made their way to the Supermercantile in Dingley Dell in their hunter/gatherer role ,to procure as many sweetmeats as their pockets will hold,when no one is looking. I have unfortunately been present when they have been grabbing handfuls of sugar comfits and jelly beans,and been only feet away when they and sundry other friends have congregated to commit their unsavoury accumulations. I wandered round the corner one evening,on my way to the aisle containing the Woodland Juices. and there they were .Arguing with each other as to how many ,and which they would take. There was nowhere to hide and nowhere to which I could escape. It was only a matter of time before Wally looked up in my direction. Our eyes met, and we both knew what I had seen. He had the decency to look ashamed, and motioned to the other culprits that I was there. A redheaded boggart boy seemed to be the ringleader in their ploys. He pushed Wally quite hard, looked me up and down but kept on shovelling the red and green goodies in to his doublet pockets. I took two or three steps forward and looking straight at the boggart lad ,said in my most restained voice, "I think you should put them back,don't you ? Boggart boy furrowed his brow, then dropped some of the sweetmeats back into the tray,before taking to his heels and running out of the Supermercantile door.The others,including the Shilpit sprites, quickly followed. I stood rooted to the spot for several minutes,unsure of how to proceed. On the one hand,we elfen folk have a very strong sense of order,are intrinsically honest, and in the main hold no quarter with deception of any kind. On the other hand, if I chose to inform the HeadSeller at the Supermercantile of what I had seen, how would this affect our lives in Lobelia Drive. It would hardly sponsor good neighbourly relations. At this point Pendragon and I had only been living in Lobelia Drive for a few months. What to do ? I did not wish to be seen to condone sweetmeat stealing, but having my neighbouring sprites dragged before the Elven Magistrate for procuring a bag of jelly jubejubes,seemed to be more than my faery sensibilities could endure. At the PayBox,I casually said to the Checkout Sylph, " I have just seen something I think you should know about.Some sprites were helping themselves to the sugar comfits.Maybe the sweets are not in a very safe place."
I quickly added,"I don't know who they were.(I blush even now at the thought of such a glaring untruth.) Maybe the sweet trays could be moved so you can keep a closer eye on them. " She looked at me with sleepy eyes, then looked down towards the sweetmeat aisle.
The sleepy eyes now seemed to cloud over with what I can only call disinterest. "Thanks. I'll tell the Head Seller. " Do you want a bag for your Bramleys ?" I left the Supermercantile, knowing that she probably wouldn't tell anyone, the sweetmeats would continue to disappear, and the Shilpit sprites and their cronies would continue to see rifling the sweetie trays as a valid and lucrative pastime for rainy days. As I put the key for my four wheeled carriage holder into the lock, I saw Oggie (the Hood) lurking outside the mercantile. My last view as I drove away was of him looking round furtively , before slipping back inside. Back home in the toadstool I confided in Pendragon ,as I wondered if my actions had been acceptable. He reassured me, that Prevention is always better than Cure,and said that I had attempted to offer the Shilpits and the Supermercantile the opportunity to change,all of which would have prevented further offences and deeper heartache.
I didn't see the Shilpit sprites for a week or two after that. Since that evening,though, Wally has always treated me with the best of manners, a polite hello, a cheery quip and an offer of help. Oggie on the other hand,wears a look of impolite disregard, never speaks, and lobs a few stones in the direction of my four wheeled carriage, whenever he gets the opportunity. Some folk just can't be saved,it would seem.
Much soul searching and a smidgeon of enlightenment to you all,my friends. From Amarantha Willow, the Rainbow Faery.