Ryers Readers - Little Witch Hazel: Autumn, The Haunted Stump

Episode Date: August 25, 2023

There are some spooky sounds throughout the forest! Little Witch Hazel finds courage to seek out what is making the sounds, thanks to the company of her friends!

Let's do this! Thank you so much for tuning into today's story. Don't forget to rate and follow, so you never miss out on all the Ryer's Reader's fun. And if you're looking for even more fun, come join me on the Ryer's Reader's Patreon page, where you can find ad-free episodes, bonus content, and even become a Ryer's Reader's celebrity.

Before we get into the story, do you want to know a fun fact? Did you know that newts can regenerate arms, legs, organs, even hearts and the lenses of their eyes? If a newt suffers an injury of some kind, let's just say it lost its leg. It is actually able to grow another leg. Pretty cool, huh? Okay. Story time.

Today, we have a super special Ryers Reader's Reader's request from Nora in Cottonwood Heights, Utah, USA. Nora would like to hear Little Witch Hazel Autumn, The Haunted Stump, by Phoebe Wall. I hope you enjoy this story, Nora. Let's do this. The Witch Hazel was working in her garden when she first heard the noise. It was the kind of noise that sent prickles through your whiskers, and chilled you right down to your boots. Towering toadstools, thought the little witch hazel, a shiver running down her spine.

Whatever could that be? A moment later, the mole sisters emerged from their hole in a frenzy. Oh, little witch! Did you hear that noise? The sisters cried. It sounds like the laugh of a hobgoblin robber, squeaked the moles, ringing their paws. the kind who might steal our collection of rubies, or our stashes of stones,

or our caches of geodes. Well, said Hazel, feeling a bit braver now that she had some company, there's only one way to find out. So together, they headed into the woods to find the source of the sound. Soon they came to the mouse's house, where babies' whales joined the eerie howls coming from the forest. Have you heard it too?

A frazzled mouse papa said. My mouselings can't sleep a wink for this horrible racket. I think it's the sleep-sugger out to zap all of our naps, said Hazel. Come along and find out. It's an ogre with huge, stinky feet. It's a bird with razor-sharp beak. So together, Little Witch Hazel, the Mole Sisters,

Mouse Papa, and his mouselings, headed farther into the forest. They came across Newt, who was trying to hide under a log. You better clear off if you know what's good for you, he called. There's a terrible ghost haunting that stump. A horrible ghoul with long ghostly claws and long ghostly teeth out to eat little beasts like us. Little witch hazel, the Mole Sisters, Mouse Papa, the Mouselings, and Newt all turn.

to the nearby stump. Sure enough, another howling, yowling, bellowing whale came from within. Ow! Little Witch Hazel's heartbeat quickened as she approached the stump. As she grew closer, the noise grew louder. Hobgoblins and sleep-suckers, birds, ogres, and ghosts swirled inside her mind. Until finally, with a burst of bravery, Little Witch Hazel flung open the door! to find the tiniest troll she has ever seen. Oh, hello, said Little Witch, Hazel. The noise stopped as the tiny troll stared at Little Witch in surprise. Why were you crying? Little Witch Hazel asked. New to town, and I have no one to share my supper with, the tiny troll whispered. I see, said the little witch, Well, in that case, I think we can help.

So together, the neighbors all crowded into the stump for supper. The little creature laid out a very beautiful place setting for each of them. It's fungus soup with pine needles and moss. The little troll beamed eagerly. Delicious, they all murmured. By the time supper was over, the old stump felt warm and full. and everyone was yawning happily. Next time you're lonely, just come over and knock,

Hazel offered, and the tiny troll smiled. And so, with the calls of thank you and good night, Little Witch Hazel, the Mole Sisters, Mouse Papa, the sleepy mouselings, and Newt, all headed home through the still and silent forest, content with the knowledge that they had just not. made a new friend. The end.

Don't forget to stick around to see if you can answer today's paying attention question. Before you go, do you think you can answer today's paying attention question? Who was making the spooky sounds in the tree stump? If your answer was a tiny troll? You did it! Great job! you sure were paying attention. I hope you enjoyed that story. I wonder what we're going to read next.

Bye, Nora. Hi, my name is Nora. I live in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. I would like to request Little Witch Hazel, Autumn, the Haunted Stump. Thank you.