Going to Land of Chinese New Year

They set off soon after breakfast. They hadn't let Silky or Moonface know that they were coming, but they felt sure they would be in the Tree.

They jumped over the ditch and made their way through the Whispering Wood till they came to the Faraway Tree. Heather whistled for the red squirrel to tell him to go and ask Moonface to send cushions down. But the red squirrel did not come.

"Bother said Monika" "Now we will have to climb up and it is so hot."

So they climbed. The Angry Pixie was sitting on her verandah talking to Chameleon. She waved and everyone was glad she had no ink or water to throw over them.

"Going to the Land of Chinese New Year" she called.

"Oh is the land of Chinese New Year there?"cried Heather. It sounds exciting. What is it like?

"Oh just Chinese New Year" said the Angry Pixie. But you can join in all the lantern and dragon festivals, sample fortune cookies, take tea leaf readings and this year, Silky said there is as special contest."

"What sort of contest?" asked Lois.

"Go and find out yourself' said the Pixie, sounding very cross all of a sudden.

They left the Angry Pixie with Chameleon, who soothed her again, and climbed up to Silky's house. But when they got there they found that it was shut. They went to Moonface's but dear me, his door was shut too. The old Saucepan Man was nowhere to be found and neither was Watzisname. Nobody was about.

"Bother" said Heather. "They must have gone to the Land of Chinese New Year. I do think they could have told us that the land had come."

"Do you really think we should go without Silky and Moonface to guide us?" asked Lois, sounding not very brave.

"It will be safe up there. It is only Chinese New Year. What could go wrong? Look, they have left some lanterns for us to take with us" said Heather, little realising what was in store and that they would even return to the Isle of Ancestors while they were there.

No wonder the Faraway Tree is all but deserted.