"The Fairy Queen will be here soon!" Sprite said.
"I'm going to do a triple backflip for her.
She'll see what a good flier I am."
Bumble flew in circles.
"I'm so nervous about the test.
What if we mess up?"
"We'll pass the test," Hob said.
"We've granted several wishes.
And we've read the training book."
He smiled but his face was pale.
Feather twisted daisies into her hair.
"We'll just do our best," she said.
"Stop worrying!" Sprite said.
"We'll do better than our best."
The fairies suddenly heard trumpets.
Then bells tinkled, and swallows swooped through the air.
The swallows were pulling a carriage.
Bumble gasped. "She's here!"
The carriage landed in the grass.
The Fairy Queen stepped out.
"She looks stern," Hob whispered.
"I can make her smile," Sprite said.
"Birthday fairies!" the Queen said.
"I wish to know how well you are working.
So every season your team must pass a test.
Do well and you'll get a reward."
"What's the reward?" Feather asked.
"A feast at my palace," the Queen said.
Feather gasped. "That sounds wonderful!"
"Wh-what if we don't do well?" Bumble asked.
"You will fail the test," the Queen said.
"And lose your jobs."
Bumble gulped.
"Are you ready?" the Queen asked.
Sprite did a triple backflip and bowed.
"I can't wait to see your palace," she said.
The Queen frowned. "Let the test begin!"
Wish smoke instantly drifted into the clearing.
Sprite peered at the smoke.
"The wish is for ballet shoes."
"No," Feather said.
"It's for riding boots."
The fairies stared at the smoke.
Then they looked at one another.
"Uh-oh," Bumble whispered.
"For the test we have to grant two wishes!"