A FAIRY STORY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19328, 15 May 1926, Page 4 (Supplement)

A FAIRY STORY.

HEATHER'S ADVENTURE. BY ZEN A MURRAY. Heather, a pretty little child of five, was wandering one day through the beech-wood, when suddenly she entered a lovely clearing, across which the track led into a tool and shady dell. Being rather inquisitive, Heather entered the glade, and looked about interestedly. Everywhere golden daffodils were blowing, while out of each Bloom peeped a tiny fairy face, and suddenly the power of remembrance left her. Not. one thing of her. everyday life could Heather remember. Suddenly, at her side appeared a handsome kflight, dressed in golden armour. Bowing gallantly and offering Heather his arm, he. asked if she would care to visit tho Daffodil Queen. Heather replied that she would enjoy a visit very much. The Daffodil Knight then led her to an old gnarled oak, which he tapped with his sword. Upon the door opening they entered and found themselves in a beautiful room. Apparently from nowhere, several courtiers Appeared, the kmghf" telling them that he wished to see the Queen. He was then taken with Heather into a room where tho Queen was seated. She received them graciously, and after talking to them for some time, suggested that they should visit tho daffodils' homes. Leaving the room, the three went along a brightly-lit passage and down a flight of stairs. Very soon they came to a lovely garden, deep under the earth, which was so brier'-' 1 - lit, that it seemed more brilliant than mortals' home. "Here," said the. Queen, "is the home of all the daffodils, where they come to spend the long, cold winter. Down here it is always bright and sunny, although we are covered by a thick blanket of snow." "How.? beautiful!" said Heather, softly. " Yes, it is indeed beautiful," returned tho Queen. " When the spring comes light!" l - dancing over the earth," whispering to the flowers to send forth their buds, there is a general bustle among the daffs, and they soon send their little green spears to the upper world, after which the buds peep up, too. They are more delicate than the leaves and do not wake up so soon.

" One day I was walking through one of our daffodil meadows, where a little child wafs playing among the flowers. She did not. notice my approach, but I talked to her about the flowers. -I told her how the daffs send up their leaves, to spy out the land, and when they see that the snow is gone, and the sun is shining the flowers come up too." "How lovely," said Heather, dreamily. " I wonder if they'll have daffodils in Heaven."