Seasonal Ceremony

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 176, 20 April 1940, Page 18

Seasonal Ceremony

QLOWLY the great silver moon rose behind the dark, leafless trees. They were grim and silent, for there were uo leaves to rustle in the slight breeze that was blowing gently through the forest. As the moon cleared the tops of the trees there tripped out from behind the trunks a gay, excited crowd of fairies. I saw in the cold, pale light a clearing in the trees, surrounded by bright mushroom lanterns, and to this clearing the fairies made their way. I Once there, they gathered together into' groups, whispering and laughing. In' the distance an owl hooted three times. ■ Suddenly there came hurrying through | the forest a pearl-encrusted carriage drawn by six pigeons. Out of itj stepped a beautiful lady, accompanied by a small page boy, who announced, to the crowd, “Dame Nature I” At that all talking was hushed and everyone gazed expectantly at Dame

Nature, who moved up to the three largest lanterns. “My faithful workers,” she said. “As you all know, we are here to celebrate the taking up of duties by the winter fairies.” She had a beautiful voice, like that of a clear silver bell. “Will the leaders of the autumn and (vinter faries step forward, please?” she said, and two fairies and two elves stepped out. The autumn elf and fairy wore stitched leaf suits of russet brown and the winter pair were clad in white fur caps, suits and boots. A pretty little ceremony, directed b.v Dame Nature ended in the handing over of the seasonal wands from the autumn fairies to the winter fairies.

Dame Nature then thanked the autumn fairies for their work and wished the winter fairies speed in their journeyings. The crowd gradually dispersed and the winter fairies sped on their way. As they went the breeze became a cold wind and soon snowflakes were twirling merrily down on the silent trees.

The autumn fairies hid away in a leafy dell where it is always autumn. They stayed there while winter, spring and summer rolled by. and then Dame Nature called them out again. —Original, by Lady Constance (14), Blenheim.