THE ROSE FAIRY

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 44, 14 May 1927, Page 24 (Supplement)

THE ROSE FAIRY

“Dreaming again, Joan?” asked a little silvery voice.

“Well—yeli,” answered Joan, in a rather surprised tone, and looking up she beheld a bewitching fairy, dressed in flimsy sunbeams, and with little glass slippers on her feet. Her hair was like the richest brown of an autumn leaf, and her wings were dewdrops sewn with gossamer thread on spider-web silk. “Oh, how beautiful you are,” cried Joan. “Do you live in a bluebell or a daisy?” , “No, I am a rose fairy,” said the visitor.’ “Will you come and sit on my hand?” asked Joan. “Yes,” said the fairy, “and 1 shall tel! you about Fairyland; but first,” she added, “you must promise me you will believe in fairies, for some children really don’t.” “Oh, I do!” said Joan. “Well,” continued the fairy, “there are beautiful gardens and lawns, trees with golden fruit, glistening in the sun; gnomes and pixies carry orders for the queen; little elves on tip-toe peep to see that no stranger is near, then as quick as lightning dart away to other parts of the garden. Snails come crawling slowly up the path, for they know in Fairyland they are not to be harassed by birds, or cheeky chicks.” “Oh, how lovely!” exclaimed Joan. “I wish I lived in Fairyland.” “Would you like to see Fairyland?” asked her guest. “Joan!” called her mother. “Come and visit me 'another day,” whispered Joan, and the fairy disappeared. “I am coming,” said Joan, answering her mother’s call “I told you to gather me some apples,” said her mother; but it was the talk with the fairy that had made Joan forget her message. —Violet Parkes (aged 14), Takapuna.