THE FERN FAIRY

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 50, 21 May 1927, Page 25 (Supplement)

THE FERN FAIRY

Barbara and Joan went out one day to pick flowers in the wood, when out came a very tiny woman dressed in a poppy-leafed dress, and a strangelooking pointed hat. “How do you do?” she said to the children. “you have heard of me, I suppose?” “No, Ma’am,” said Barbara, “I do not think we have.” “Dear me, it was only yesterday, as one may say, that is—two hundred years ago—since a relation of yours did me a kindness. I will tell you about it. v “I was born in a large violet in the kingdom of Fernland, of which my father was King. I remember well how happy my father was when he saw me in it, but before he could take me in his arms a beautiful fairy, a friend of my father, said, i- This child will be in great danger from the wicked enchanter Ironclaws, who will try and kill her, or at least hurt her so much that she will never reign, so therefore, you must hide her with great care. “So they shut me up in a strong castle; here they gave me everything I wanted, but I was not happy; i longed to run about in the wood. One day when my father was away I coaxed my nurse.to let me out. Alas! I had not gone half a mile before Ironclaws darted out from a clump of ferns and was about to tear me frorA my horse! But at that moment your great-great-grandfather came in sight and rushed to my aid. A terrible tight began: but it ended in Ironclaws sinking to the ground, and lying dead at my feet. There was great joy when they heard Ironclaws was dead. “Now you see why I love vour family. If you tell me what you wish for I shall grant it to you.” “You are very kind, Fairy,” said Joan; “but as we don’t know \ve shall leave' it to you to choose for us.” “I shall give you the best of gifts, which are health, happiness and content.”

As she spoke, she sank down in the ferns, and they saw no more of her. —Muriel Arthur (aged 14.)