The duck nodded its head and quacked once more, then jumped
into the air and began to fly slowly away.

        Silver ran to follow it, having to run very fast indeed to
keep up.

        The duck led her over a field, through a stream, and up a
mountain. Finally, the duck landed in a pond that had formed halfway
up the mountain, where the sunlight kept the waters warm and the wind
kept the poolside nice and cool

        And sitting around the pond were Air, Water, Fire, and Earth.
Silver smiled to see all her friends together. But then, Air said
"We're very upset with you, Silver."

        "Oh?" said Silver, frowning worriedly.

        "Yes, Silver. Why didn't you tell us that you were making
friends with the other three? " said Water.

        "We thought you liked us, Silver. " said Fire.

        "We thought you needed us, Silver. " said Earth.

        "But you never really needed us or liked us, did you Silver? "
said Air.

        "Of course I did, Air. I liked all of you, for different
reasons. And just because I don't need each of you all the time
doesn't mean you're not all very, very important to me. If that makes
you upset, well I am very sorry. " replied Silver.

        "It is too late for that, Silver. You knew that this would
upset us, or you wouldn't have hidden it from us. " said Water.

        "We've decided that we can't be friends with you any more. "
said Fire.

        "Goodbye, Silver. " said Earth. And with that, the four of
them disappeared , and Silver knew that she would never see them again.