IN SNOWDROP GLADE

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 17, 14 October 1933, Page 23

IN SNOWDROP GLADE

’A TALE FOR THE TINIES

In the flower-beds there was an air of excitement! Such a babble from excited tongues! What could the matter be? That morning saw fairy-messen-gers in the shape of bees, butterflies and birds, flitting from flower to flower, stopping only a minute to tell the wonderful news; then off to the trees and shrubs. What a commotion they left behind. Telephones rang continuously while everyone discussed the news — the young spring princess was arriving that night to open a ball in Snowdrop Glade. No wonder they were excited, and no wonder their deft fingers were busy making frocks; for on such an important occasion everyone desired to look their best. Fairy dressmakers and tailors were simply frantic with all the hurry.

The tree sprites down in their treetrunk homes were busily decking their special trees. How dainty the fruit ones looked, dressed in their beautiful white, pink and cream robes, swaying to and fro in the cool breeze, already filled with fragrant scents. The tall

and stately poplar ladies, together with the weeping willows, nodded their heads to their reflections in the cool-running waters of the nearby stream. As the clock struck twelve a tinkling of silvery, fairy bells was heard, and into sight came the beautiful little Green Lady, reclining against pansyvelvet cushions in a carriage made ot violets and drawn by four snow-white butterflies. Flying alongside as escorts were Fays of winter, who, as the carriage alighted on a golden kowhai, gradually disappeared, leaving the young spring maiden to reign supreme. What a storm of cheering arose to greet her, as .she stepped out assisted by two gorseelves. Her winsome face broke into a smile as in soft, clear tones she acknowledged the greeting. Her gorgeous cobwebby gown of softest green clung to her in soft folds. Around her waist was a girdle of forest flowers—starry-faced clematis, mauve koroniiko, glorious red rata, manuka, kakabeak and kowhai, while peeping out from under filmy lace were her small feet, clad in cosy pussywillow slippers, with tiny crimsontipped daisy buttons. A most beautiful shawl of the petals of all the bulbs, violets, primroses, and garden spring beauties was gracefully draped* around her white shoulders. Her. golden tresses clung about her face in most becoming curls, while her large violethued eyes were beautiful to look at. Thev reminded you of bubbling streams, sun-kissed dells with shy-eyed demand of all things that were peaceful and lovely. As she finished speaking she gracefully sank bn to a willowwoven throne, decked with tulips, marslunellows and the convolvulus delicate cream and pale purple blooms, which had been placed on a raised mossy bank. At her command a hidden grasshopper band struck up a gay foxtrot. Away whirled fairies in the arms ot elves and brownies, sprites with goblins, fays with pixies and gnomes. Sudd.enlv the music changed to a slow dreamy waltz, and the snowdrops and bluebells chimed in’with their sweet bells. , „ All too quickly the time sped, bupper was announced and the fairy folk sat down on wee toadstools placed with larger ones for tables, to feast on dewdrop and honey, cream and star rollies, sponges, jellies, moon-trifles, sweets, salads, cloud- puffs; and drank of the magic nectar—the wine of spring. After this delicious supper a tricky march pealed forth. All the fairy maidens formed a ring, and at the ringing of a hyacinth bell, commenced to walk around the throne. The longed-for moment had arrived! The Spring Princess and her attendants were to judge the frocks, and the fairy with

the prettiest-made frock was to crown the princess. Now yOu know why evervone was so excited. After having walked around three times they went back to their seats, which were in a large semi-circle before the throne. Then a tiny herald dressed in a wattle suit came forward, and in a ringing voice cried. “Let the Fairy Daphne come forward and be escorted to the throne.” A rustle was heard, and escorted by two buttercup pixies, a sweet little fairv came shyly up to the throne. Amid cheers and clappings she, dropping a dainty curtsy, took the dewdrop crown and placed it on the golden curls of the now Spring Queen. An owl hooting three times broke in on the revelry, and the newlycrowned Queen slowly disappeared into the distance, her carriage bells tinkling gaily. The fairy-folk hastened to their homes, at the coming of the first spring dawn.—Original, by “Marama” (1* years), Palmerston North.