Tinker Bell was a tiny fairy with bright green shoes and shiny wings. She lived in the Enchanted Forest. Every morning, she sprinkled silver dust on sleepy flowers.
One day, the forest looked very strange. The red berries were gray. The blue pond was gray. Even the yellow butterflies were gray.
“Oh, no,” said Tinker Bell. “Where did all the colors go?”
Clip-clop! A kind Horse came down the mossy path. Horse had a soft brown nose and a very big heart. “I saw orange feathers by the Crystal Hill,” he said.
Tinker Bell knew who had orange feathers. Phoenix, the proud fire bird, lived near Crystal Hill. Phoenix liked warm flames. Phoenix liked bright things. Sometimes Phoenix grabbed things without asking.
“I am a little scared,” whispered Tinker Bell. Her wings gave a tiny tremble.
Horse bent his knees. “You can ride on my back. We can be brave together.”
At the old oak tree, a little Book lay open on a stump. Book could talk, but only when someone was kind enough to turn its page.
Tinker Bell turned one page. “Hello, Book!”
“Hello, helpful fairy,” said Book. “The forest colors are inside the Rainbow Bell. A sad Phoenix carried it away. He did not mean to be naughty. He is lonely.”
“Then we will help him,” said Tinker Bell. She felt braver already.
Horse carried Tinker Bell over roots, past gray mushrooms, and through a gray fern tunnel. Clip-clop, clip-clop! At Crystal Hill, the Crystal Guardian stood by a sparkling cave.
The Guardian was tall and clear as ice. His voice sounded like little bells. “Stop,” he said. “Who comes to the crystal cave?”
“I am Tinker Bell,” said the fairy. “This is Horse. We want to find Phoenix and bring colors home.”
The Guardian looked at her trembling wings. “A small fairy can have a very brave heart. You may pass.” He gave her one tiny crystal star.
Inside the cave sat Phoenix. His red and gold feathers were dim. Beside him was the Rainbow Bell. It was quiet. It made no colors at all.
“Phoenix,” said Tinker Bell softly, “the Enchanted Forest misses its colors.”
Phoenix hid his beak under one wing. “I took the bell because I wanted a friend. But when I rang it, nothing happened. I do not know the happy song.”
Horse smiled. “Friends can sing together.”
Book, tucked safely under Tinker Bell’s arm, opened to a new page. “The song has three sounds,” it said. “A fairy chime, a horse stomp, and a phoenix whoosh.”
Tinker Bell tapped the crystal star. Ting-ting! Horse stomped his hoof. Boom-boom! Phoenix took a deep breath. Whoooosh!
The Rainbow Bell began to glow. First came red. Then blue. Then yellow, green, purple, and pink. Colors flew from the cave like happy ribbons.
The pond turned blue again. The berries turned red again. The butterflies danced in yellow coats. The whole Enchanted Forest laughed with color.
Phoenix blinked. “I am sorry I took the bell.”
“We forgive you,” said Tinker Bell. “Next time, ask us. We can play together.”
The Crystal Guardian gave Tinker Bell a reward: a little rainbow lantern. It could shine whenever someone felt scared or lonely.
Tinker Bell flew home with Horse, Book, and Phoenix. Her lantern twinkled. “Brave does not mean never scared,” she said. “Brave means being kind, even when you are scared.”
That night, the four friends shared berry cakes under the bright, bright stars. Ting-ting! The Rainbow Bell sang one more happy song.