“Because if you stay in the human world much longer, someone’s going to realize you’re goblins!” the fairy replied quickly. “Your caps and tracksuits aren’t very good disguises. And you know we can’t let humans find out about Fairyland and Goblin Grotto.”

The captain nodded thoughtfully. “That’s true,” he muttered. “OK, let’s make the switch!”

The goblin held out Brittany’s basketball again, but before Rachel could take it, the captain leaped forward again.

“STOP!” he shouted.

“Oh, make up your mind,” the goblin grumbled, yanking the ball away from Rachel once again.

“We agree to the trade on one condition,” the captain declared. He pointed at Kirsty. “She hasn’t tried shooting. I want to make sure the new magic basketball works on everyone. Let’s see her make a basket!”

“Me?” Kirsty gulped. She’d never made a basket in her life!

“You can do it, Kirsty,” Rachel whispered encouragingly, handing her the ball.

Brittany fluttered over to Kirsty. “Take a deep breath and steady yourself,” she told her quietly. “Keep your eye on the hoop, and make your shot as smooth as possible. Most important, believe in yourself.”

Kirsty nodded, feeling very nervous. Her palms were sweating as she held the ball up and looked at the hoop. She tried to remember exactly how Rachel had made all her amazing baskets.

After a moment, Kirsty took her shot. The ball flew through the air, and Rachel, Brittany, and Kirsty all gasped as it bounced off the backboard and rattled around the rim. Would the ball go through the hoop or not?

Chapter 6 - A Beautiful Basket

It seemed to take forever, but the ball finally dropped through the hoop. Kirsty almost burst with relief as she grinned delightedly at Rachel and Brittany.

“OK, we definitely want that magic basketball,” the goblin captain decided quickly.

Kirsty picked up the ball and traded with the goblin who had Brittany’s magic basketball. “Now, remember, you’re going straight home to Goblin Grotto,” Brittany reminded them.

“Yeah! We can show the new magic basketball to Jack Frost,” the goblin with the ball exclaimed. “He’s going to be so happy with us!”

“Give me the ball,” the captain ordered.

“No!” the goblin answered rudely, running off across the court. The other goblins chased after him, and Rachel, Kirsty, and Brittany laughed.

“They’re going to be disappointed when they find out that the new magic basketball isn’t actually magical at all,” said Rachel.

“Oh, but it is!” Brittany replied with a wink. “We didn’t lie. The new ball is magical because it is made of fairy magic. It just doesn’t make anyone good at basketball, that’s all!” She grinned, flew over to Kirsty, and took the magic basketball. As Brittany touched it, the ball shrank to its Fairyland size. Then Brittany tapped the ball with her wand, making it sparkle even more brightly for a moment.