I Believe In Fairies

Southland Times, Issue 21832, 8 October 1932, Page 20

I Believe In Fairies

(Prize.) One glorious spring morning I went for a walk in a most wonderful garden. The sun was showering his golden smile on all the flowers, and the daffodils and primroses were nodding their heads in the gentle breeze. At last, being so tired, I sat myself on the lawn and I was very soon asleep. All the little fairies were dancing from flower to flower—they were all so busy. .... Suddenly I stirred myself, thinking I must be dreaming; but what a pleasant surprise I received when I saw all the tiny fairies sitting around me and all ready to tell me a story. I was amazed at all they, had to tell me. Thev seemed to know just all that happened. They told me about so many good little boys and girls,. They always come to visit those who were kind, and helpful to all, especially those who tried to be a comfort in their home and help mother whenever they could. They told me of the naughty boys and girls who always did everything that was asked of them with a growl—sometimes even answered back! I felt rather ashamed of myself as

I am not always as helpful as I .might be. So up I jumped and was going to run away when a beautiful silvery voice called: “Wait! Listen, to my story!”—and I noticed the Fairy Queen sitting on a bough of a flowering currant. She said: “You are one of the Little Southlanders, are you not?” Imagine my surprise! I could only nod by head in response. Then the Fairy Queen placed a ruby ring on my finger. Then they all vanished , from my sight and after that I always believe in fairies.

—Cousin Faith Campbell (9), 161 Clyde street.

Do I believe in fairies? Why of course I do! If you had seen what I saw last midsummer’s night, you would believe in them too. Shortly after I went to sleep, I was awakened by a stream of white light coming in my tiny window. I was wondering whatever this could be when I beheld a tiny elf sliding down it. He was so light that I did not even feel him when he landed on my toes.

He was clad in green from, top to toe, making me think of a miniature Robin Hood. His tiny tailoured suit was just perfect and his shoes ended in a long curled point. He beckoned me to follow him. I quickly jumped out of bed and to my amazement he made me small enough to climb out of the window. He then led me to a ring of mushrooms in which danced a circle of beautiful fairies. Their dazzling frocks absolutely blinded me for a few moments. They held out their hands to me and in a second I, too, found myself whirling round with them. Then I heard .a rustling in the bushes and every fairy disappeared. I think the rustling must have been the Fairy Queen s signal. The elf led me back to my room, changed me back to my normal size, and then he also disappeared. Everyone said I dreamt it all; but the fairies and I know it was true.

—Molly Hynd (12), 169 Elies Road, Invercargill.

When I was no more than six. years of age, I used to believe in fairies. At night when we were all sitting round the sitting-room fire, I used to ask my father to read me a fairy tale. After he had finished, I wished I was a fairy. If I was one, I would have great fun in Fairyland. After I got up some mornings and the dew was still on the grass, I would see the tracks where people had been walking on the grass before the sun got up. If anyone was about I would ask them what were the marks on the grass. The answer was, “Those marks are the tracks where the fairies left behind them when they were going home last night.” I was surprised to hear this, so I went inside to tell my mother and father that I had seen fairy tracks. One day I was walking about with

my big brother in a paddock when I saw the grass padded down round a gorsebush. I asked my brother why was the grass round the gorse bush padded down. He said, “That is where the fairies dance on warm nights.” I was delighted to think that I had seen the place where the fairies dance. That night I wanted to go and catch a fairy, but they said, “If you go near them they won’t come back any more.” I thought that would never do, so I had to leave them alone. Now that I am old enough I read fairy books for myself. —Cousin Donald Hamilton (11), Ryal Bush.