Tiny Fairy Joybell

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 109, 9 May 1936, Page 12

Tiny Fairy Joybell

(Specially written ic-r our Page by “Wind.”) For Joybell a Gress was made from cobwebs with, glistenening pearls and diamonds sparkling all over it. tiny fish scales were formed into shoes with gossamar socks. For her head they procured a band of velvet from a butterfly’s wings; admiration . as depicted on every fa‘ce when she w fitted, to see that all was right, but even the thought of her own wondrous beauty could not chase away the dark shadow of the lurking long-legged thing that sat in the web partly hidden by the limb of the tree. A sick feeling filled her heart at the thought of it running up the trunk to the thread on which she danced. Then she kne.v all would be lost. The little fairy r.ould scream and faint with fear. Why didn’t it go away. But, no, there it stayed day after day. Breaking the web with a stick did no good; it only built another whenever she had gone. Joy bell was in the depths of despair, wandering hither and thither, thinking, thinking, what can I do? Fur the gala nigiii thousands of glowworms and fireflys were engaged to make the scene one of enchantment, perfect in every detail. Some of them were even then interviewing the Court Officials to make final* arrangements. Hiding herself in the cup of a flower, Joy bell watched the Palace until she saw the Fireflys approaching. Calling to them softly she said, “Please carry me with you. 1 want to go to Pixie Land.*’ Flying in grouped formation the »Sprilv was taken to a glade where lived a boy whom she knew, called Blue Cap. Thanking her friends for their kindness she at once hastened to find the Pixie and together they formed this plan. He was to break the web just prior to the dance then ' there would be no time to rebuild. Joy- ' bell hurried home, her little face which had been clouded by sorrow was now [ shining with joy. bhe was absolutely transformed. The fairies whispered in I groups when they saw her changed appearance, but she was silent as to lie i cause. The day came when the Queen I sent for her and asked Joybeil whether [ she was going to be obedient.’ With j sparkling eyes and a gay lilt to her voice she answered at once. “Yes, Your -Majesty.” The joy of living was born | anew and happiness held out welcoming | hands. “To-morrow night you must I win the cup,” said the Queen. The Queen sat on her throne well pleased with everything. The vestibule was as light as day so that all •oul.J enter and admire the glorious display within. The fireflys made every hole and corner bright with their glowing • < ;ours. flight in the midst of the fest;vi; !•?> the Pixie King was called away to settle some disput; a small boy had been caught near the tree to which one end of the cobweb was fixed, on it Joybeil would | perform her dance. His Majestv was i furious and changed him at or.<v into a big night moth. Poor I’ttle Blue 1 Cap, for he it was, became bewildered I at the suddenness of the awful catas-: : tre-phe which had overtak. n him. Tn ' a wild rage he flew at the weo and ( broke it in a dozen place-; the spider | fled to the ground for safetv and the moth sat himself on a leaf above and j, wept. ‘Through his tears be could see | Joybell approaching; one look she gave, I then a radiant smile lit up her favt. I The creature she dreaded had disap- , pea red and all she saw was a big moth seated on a green leaf. She afraid ’ no longer; never had sh danced as ! then . The applause was deafening fork

no other performer had so pleased the thousands gathered there a:, did the fairy Joybell. The delighted Queen at last sent for her, “What do you wish for most,” she asked. “I will grant anything.” “Please, Your Majesty, v.ill you thank Blue Cap for breaking the web. ” The Queen did not understand, so the story was told in faltering tones. The guards were ordered to. find the Pixie but the search was fruit- I less. Nowhere could he be seen. The • ground seemed to have opened up and swallowed him. so they asked the King if he could tell them what had become of the boy. His .Majesty wus so astonished at what he was told that he gave, a peculiar whistle and Blue Cap stood before him once more. ‘ You are the i bravest boy I have ever seen, and from henceforth you shall be my son, ‘Prince Blue Cap’.” The Queen, not to be outdone. at once turned to Joybell, “And you.” said she, “will be my daughter. ‘Princess Joybell’.” At the feast ♦he health was drunk of the newly-made Prince and Princess, and all at once a joyous V lam our was heard. The fairy bolls s?nt out peal on peal, “Long live Prince Blue Cap and the Fairy Princess Joybeil.