JOAN’S TRIP TO FAIRYLAND.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18629, 26 July 1930, Page 12

JOAN’S TRIP TO FAIRYLAND.

Joan was sitting in a shady nook before the house. Behind her rose the great structure of the house and before her the velvety, green surface of the lawn stretched to the woods beyond. Here she was, basking in the sun, with her dolls round a little table, waiting for the tea which was spread before them. Joan did not stir to give them it, for she had fallen asleep. Suddenly out of the woods, stepped the queerest little person Joan had ever seen. He was dressed in brDlfant red with a hat scarcely less green than the lawn over which he was stepping. He came up to Joan and said, “Come with me, O lady, and I shall show you the wonders of Fairyland.” As he said this two bluebirds with a gaily painted carriage fixed between them alighted before Joan and the elf (for that was what he was), signing Joan to follow him, the elf clambered in. When she was seated they rose into the air. Swiftly they sped through the air and in a few minute’s time were at the end of their journey. Stepping from the carriage the elf took a key (the Key of Fairyland) from his pocket ( and unlocked a huge door. Inside Joan saw the most beautiful scene she had ever set eyes upon. At her feet was a river, whose waters reflected the trees on its banks with wonderful correcteness, and moored to a landing-stage by it was a fairy barque with silken sails of purest white and sides of deep black. They boarded it and set off down the river, manned by fairy men dressed in bright

blues, greens, pinks, reds, yellows, golds arid blacks. The gate where Joan had entered had now disappeared and all around was the fairy world. Down steam they drifted, passing many other ships lying at anchor. Soon they came to a great lake, many fairy miles in width. All this way had seemed miles and miles to Joan, as on her journey through the air she had grown smaller. “We are going to see the Fairy Queen,” whispered the elf. On the farther shore they landed and, after passing through a grove of trees, Joan saw a huge diamond-like building. She could see fairy people flitting round the hall and at the far end, on a throne raised above the rest of the room, was the Fairy Queen. She was dressed in a spangly dress, silver wings, a crown of gold, and there were dewdrop-diamonds in her hair. She greeted the newcomers with a smile and motioned Joan to her. Just as Joan reached her, a dewdrop-diamond dropped from her hair and fell into Joan’s hand. Joan woke with a start and beheld a huge raindrop gleaming in her open hand. She rose reluctantly and, gathering up her dolls, went inside. (5 Marks and a Merit Card awarded to “Goblin,” —Sybil Grant, Timaru aged 12).