The sun began to set over the mushroom village as Tilly heard a familiar heavy knock on the tiny wooden door. She scrambled up the mossy ladder from the secret cavern to the cramped entryway above. It was her Mom and Dad, looking very tired from their long day working at the Leaf Factory.
"Oh, my poor Tilly," sighed Mom, squeezing her large spotted shell through the narrow frame. "I am so sorry you have to stay in this tiny button mushroom for the week." Dad tried to step inside but accidentally bumped his head on a low hanging shelf.
Tilly just grinned and adjusted the yellow ribbon on her head. "It's not cramped at all!" she chirped happily. "You just have to know which loose floorboard to press!"
She stomped her foot, and suddenly, the floor swung open to reveal the glowing, mossy slide. Mom dropped her basket in shock and Dad’s eyes went wide with surprise. "Hold on tight!" yelled Tilly as she jumped in.
Whoosh! The whole family slid down the spiral chute, winding deep underground past glowing roots and shimmering stones. They landed softly on a giant, bouncy orange sponge that smelled like fresh rain.
Mom and Dad gasped as they looked around at the crystal ceiling and the flowing underground streams. But the biggest surprise was waiting for them right by the sparkling pool. A giant blue snail wearing a bowtie was slowly sliding toward them.
"Good evening," the snail said in a deep, slow voice, balancing a tray of algae cookies on his shell. "We have been expecting you." Tilly hugged her surprised parents, happy to share the secret of the magical butler who came with the house.
