Tom stared at his wand.
It was still sinking into the mud.
He reached in to pull it out . . . and tumbled backwards!
Tom sat down on a log.
"This is terrible," he thought.
"Princess Mary needs me!
What am I going to do?"
Cat dashed around the Royal Kitchen.
She was chasing a mouse.
Suddenly Cat stopped.
She heard Cook talking to a servant.
"Dirk sent Tom into the Dark Forest," Cook said.
"He told Tom the tale of the pinkberry bush.
He said it was the princess' only hope."
"Oh no!" the servant said.
"Tom will get lost in the Dark Forest.
He'll never come back!"
Cook nodded. "And the poor princess . . ."
Cat didn't wait to hear anymore.
She raced out of the palace.
Tom looked around the forest.
"Where is that pinkberry bush?"
Crunch! Snap! Crunch! Snap!
He heard more strange noises.
Then Cat appeared!
"I'm so glad to see you, Cat!" Tom cried.
"I'm looking for the pinkberry bush!"
Cat shook her head.
"It's just a tale, Tom.
Pinkberries only grow in the spring."
"But . . ." Tom blinked.
"Princess Mary is very sick.
If I don't find some pinkberries, she might die!"