The Two Owls

Three Gifts and a Lyre

"The wise woman has given me three gifts," Leandro said to the Duchess of Oakwood, "a rose hip, a pair of leather gloves, and a small pruning knife.

Tonight you must leave Arthur's bedroom window open. Go into the garden at midnight, and wait for the white owl. When the big owl comes to attack, call it by your father's name and throw him the rose hip. He will leave his prey and catch the gift. Then he will turn against the white owl again. Call him by your father's name a second time and throw him the leather gloves. When he attacks the white owl a third time call him again and throw him the pruning knife. By the time the brown owl has caught the three gifts, the witching hour will be over, and he has to return into the shadows."

Then the lyrist turned to the Duke of Oakwood and gave him a lyre. "When the white owl comes back, call him by your son's name, and show him the instrument. Leave this lyre in Arthur's room."

Egbert and Ermelinda were a little confused about the strange instructions, but they promised to do exactly what the wise woman had said.

"Oh, and one more thing," said Leandro. "Keep the windows of Arthur's bedroom closed at night for one month. I'll be back in one month, and we'll see if the nightmare is solved."