Coronation in Fairyland

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 190, 8 May 1937, Page 9 (Supplement)

Coronation in Fairyland

All the pixies, gnomes and elves in Dingle Dell were scurrying hither and thither, some carrying fine cobweb gossamer, some scarlet and green her ries, some the dust from the golden kowhai; all had an appointed task. For in three days, by the dandelion calendar, the greatest event in the history of Fairyland was to take place, and preparations for the great day were hurriedly being made. So the work went on. The fairy cobbler was hard at work, fashioning a dainty pair of slippers made from a fragment of a rainbow. The fairy dressmaker was busily weaving a wonderful gown of gossamer silk and star dust, and a cape of rainbow colours. The fairy jeweller had the honour of making the Queen’s crown, for he was a learned gnome and knew all about setting jewels, and making star dust emeralds and diamonds. Oh, such persevering work was required, and such a clever mind, and nimble fingers. When at last the crown was finished, everyone declared that the fairy jeweller was indeed a genius. A sparkling circlet of dandelion gold was surmounted by a tiara of diamond and golden kowhai dust, set in rainbow velvet and moss. z Then, at last, the great day arrived —Coronation Day. From early dusk, thousands of fairyland’s inhabitants kept arriving in the dell to witness the crowning of their queen. Rank upon rank of fairy soldiers had been drilled incessantly until they were perfection itself, and their parade was a colourful spectacle, for the gnomes wore brown and green, the elves bright green, the pixies autumn shades, and the brownies, true to their name, wore chocolate and nigger brown. Each soldier carried tiny pockets of star dust with which to sprinkle their ruler when the ceremonies were over. And at last the wonderful hour I The dell was packed with fairies even to the foot of the throne. Then, to crown the whole, the Queen arrived in an open litter. Behind her came six large rabbits, headed by a grandfather rabbit, who carried the beautiful diadem on a velvet cushion. When the Queen was seated, a court oflicial held up his hand for silence, and proceeded to go through the ceremonial ritual. When he had finished, he took the crown from the rabbits and placed it on the Queen’s shlng curls, while her subjects cheered and cheered. The soldiers unbuttoned their pockets and the air was filled with sparkling star dust, which transformed throne and ground into a glittering haze. After the coronation, a great feast was held in the Queen’s honour, and while the guests partook of the cowslip ■wine, an elf arose and cried in ringing voice: “Long live the Queen!” —Original by Flanders Poppy (12), Wellington.