"H-Hey! May I please have my shoe back?" The old man looked pitiful indeed, with only one shoe on. "I was taking a nap over there, and had taken my shoes off. But when I woke up, I saw that one of them," he pointed at the nymph with the hat on her head, "stole it from me!" He turned to me, hands outstretched. "Please, can you help me get it back?"

I looked at him up and down. He looked like a businessman, and I’ve heard my dad complain about how stingy his clients always were. I grinned mischievously. "How much is it worth to you?"

"My shoe?" The flustered man threw his hands in the air. "I need it to get home! My wife would throw a fit if I go home like this." He rummaged through his pockets, and held something out. "I only have this lollipop. Will this do?"

"Deal!" I pocketed the candy. "Now, put your other shoe on your head."

"W-What?" The man sputtered, but did so.

I snickered. He looked so funny, with his shoe on his head. I only wished I had a camera to take a picture of him. I turned to the thief, who was staring curiously at us. "Now, make sure she’s looking at you, then pretend to throw your shoe at her! But only pretend!"

The man looked dubious, but nodded. "Hey! You! Yes, you! Look at me!" He was waving his arms in the air, catching the attention of all the nymphs. They all waved their arms back at him. "And...throw!" He pretended to throw the shoe on his head at the nymphs, only he did not let go of the shoe. They all followed suit, including the one who had stolen his shoe. It went sailing over to the man, and hit him right on the nose! "Oomph!" And he toppled over.

I ran over to him, laughing gleefully. "See! It worked! I’m so smart, right, Buddy?" My dog barked once in affirmation, and my chest puffed out in pride. But then I heard a noise. A wail, actually. I whipped my head back to see the nymph who had lost her shoe hat...crying?

"Ha! Your fault for getting tricked!" I laughed, but then I felt a little bad. I stuffed my hands in my pockets, then felt the lollipop. I took it back out and frowned. I really wanted it, but the nymph looked so sad…

"Oh, phooey." I muttered. "Hey!" I waved my arms around like a madman, trying to get the attention of the crying nymph. "Here! Catch!" And I threw my precious candy at her. She caught it, but looked a little lost. "You lick it! Like this!" I made a motion of holding it and licking it, and she copied me. Her eyes went wide, and something began to happen...