The Green Brush in the Scarf Basket

Pip pulled a green twig from the scarf basket and held it up like a tiny brush.

It had slipped between a red wool scarf and Koyo's striped mittens, leaving three prickly needles stuck to the yarn.

Pip twirled it once.

The twig did not look sleepy or brown like the sticks on the path. It looked awake.

Its needles were dark green and sharp at the tips, as if it had been painted that very morning.