THE FAIRY THORN

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 165, 15 July 1939, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE FAIRY THORN

The belief in fairies was once strong throughout rural England and many a miraculous tale is told of their doings and the manner in which they befriended mortals. Here is a story that tells of the simple faith of these bygone country folk. One of the hawthorn trees at Newland's Corner on the Surrey downs is enchanted. Some maidens who danced round it one summer night were carried off by the fairies and never seen again. But some years ago two shepherd lade were sitting there when the hawthorns were white with blossom, and one said: "We'll see now if this tree is really enchanted. I'll dance round it. and you sit and watch what happens." And he began dancing round the tree backwards. When he stopped the earth opened and a green table covered with dishes of meat and fish came up. "Don't touch it; it's fairy food!" said the boy who had eat watching. But his daring companion feasted to his heart's content, and the table then sank into the earth. He is now one of the richest farmers in England, for the food he ate was lucky food.