WE ARE TEN

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 3, 3 July 1937, Page 20

WE ARE TEN

(Original.)

: With the excitement raised by the coming of the:, .King's,- Birthday .in Fairyland came the question of where the celebrations would be held. Fairiel asked for suggestions. Immediately am-' bassadors from all parts of Fairyland came to' the Palace.

Sir Moss, representing the Dell Elves; arrived1 first, putting forth' an argument that his leafy glades were suitable for such an important occasion.' Prince Sun, speaking for the Sky Fays, deemed that his downy clouds would be a .fitting throne for the Fairy Queen. Earl Dale from the Hill and Valley Gnomes and Lord Sunflower of the Garden Fairies begged Fairiel to favour them.

The Sea Maidens, however, sent no representative for they knew that their gracious sovereign would not deign to swim down into the depths of iheir domain, but they longed to be the Queen's hosts. One night Fairiel flew down to the silvery shore, there to ponder over the great problem. A wavelet broke in front of her so intent on making foamy bubbles that he did not notice her. She heard him whispering to a fish. "Oh, how I wish Fairiel would honour us. The tenth birthday, too. No use hoping, though. She wouldn't think of it." and he swept .back into the sea.

This decided the Fairy Queen. On the following day she announced to the ambassadors: "The Birthday will be celebrated in King Neptune's Kingdom. Tell your people that I invite everyone to a ball in the Land-Under-the-Sea on the Saturday night after the full moon."

The cobblers and tailors were kept very busy by excited fairies who wanted close-fitting gowns and shoes suitable under, the water. Many fays chose shimmering greens for their robes. Yet in the sea was greater excitement. The mermaids were decorating King Neptune's Palace. Some seanymphs were sweeping a sandy patch smooth to use as a ballroom. Fish to whom Dame Nature had given lights offered to swim round the scene to act as lanterns. The great day arrived. .Lady Moon sent a silvery pathway glistening, over the sea for the Queen to walk down. King Neptune guided her down into his home and all the fairies followed. Heralded by codfish blowing conch shells she passed majestically up' to the throne. A peculiar seaweed took the place of mushrooms and the people of Fairyland sat on these in a Fairy Ring around Fairiel.

The Fairy Queen stood up and made a speech saying how delighted she was to see so many there. She cut the enormous cake which had been put before her, taking care that each slice had a decoration on it for the receiver to keep.

At the close of the ceremony, a mermaid placed a crown of gold on Fairiel's brow. Outstanding on the coronet. were>teroperfect■•?;" milk-white paarls,, each denoting, a- .Birthday in theßing^-"- ;";;: • "AUTE" (13).

Island Bay.