The Prairie-Dog Prince
A Prairie-Tale, published by The South Dakota State Historical Society Press. (Fall ’08)
This story was adapted from Eva Katharine Gibson’s novel Zauberlinda: The Wise Witch, written in 1901. It’s about a lonely young girl growing up in the prairies of western South Dakota and the Black Hills. An act of kindness is repaid with a visit from the gnome king himself, and a wish or two. You might think that was good thing… And it is. After a bit of drama, some misadventures, and a few tears. Valuable lessons are learned. Heh heh heh.
Annie brings a injured prairie dog home.
She nurses him back to health. Keeps him in a little house. Then one day, he's gone! Like magic. Pfft.
One day she's out picking strawberries, feeling lonely and sorry for herself... adventures ensue.
Annie meets the Gnome King.
But, as I said before, never fear. Goodness and kindness prevail. Happy ending.