THE FAIRY DOLL

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 352, 12 May 1928, Page 27

THE FAIRY DOLL

Little Nina had a great many toys—among them a beautiful dolls’ bouse. It had a grand staircase, balconies, a vernadali—even a conservatory—and the interior of the house was fitted with everything the dolls could possibly need—from a grand piano in the drawing room to tiny saucepans in the kitchen.

Of course, the little girl possessed a whole crowd of dolls of various sizes, and when among her birthday gifts she found a sweet little “fairy” doll she was very delighted. The new dolly had “dewdrops” all over her white gauzy frock, and she held a magic wand in her tiny hand. Nina thought that no sweeter dolly had ever existed, and she named her “Fay”—for, as you know, a fay is a fairy. Nina was very proud of her lovely dolls’ house, and very fond of playing with it; but sometimes I’m afraid she let it become rather untidy. Perhaps there would be a bed in the kitchen, or a saucepan on the grand piano, or crockery strewn about the floors. Then, when Nina made the startling discovery, she would set to work to tidy up—if she felt like it. She was putting it in order one day, and was getting rather tired of the job, so she sat down to rest on the rug in front of it, and took her little fairydoll in her lap. “Oh, Fay, I wish your magic wand was real!” she sighed, “then you could just wave it and straighten out this horrid mess for me!”

“Well, I can easily do that for you,” answered Fay, “because, you see, my wand is real!”

Somehow Nina did not feel very much surprised to hear Fay speak, and she watched with interest as the doll stood up and waved her wand to and fro. In a minute the dolls’ house was beautifully tidy. The drawing room couch, which happened to be in one of the bedrooms, scampered down the stairs and into its place; a wardrobe rose from the floor and crept away into its corner; the plates and dishes ran back to the dresser; the saucepans and brooms flew back to the scullery, and all -was once more in perfect order. “Thank you! Thank you!” cried Nina, “I wish you would always put it straight for me. It will get into such an awful muddle, you know, and it takes me hours to tidy it.” “Well, it’s very easy to me,” answered Fay. “Now, I think we might have a cup of tea. Come into the drawing room and I’ll help Madeline and Barbara and Ethelberta to get it ready.” “I’d love to come, but I’m much too big,” answered Nina sadly. Fay tapped her gently with her little magic wand. “Now you’re no bigger than I am,” she said laughing; and Nina found she was just the same height as the fairy doll. Fay led the way into the dolls’ house drawing room and then disappeared into the kitchen regions. She entered again a few moments later with Madeline, Barbara and Ethelberta—three of Nina’s dolls. They were carrying trays with the dolls’ best tea service, and all kinds of delicious cakes for tea. Such a merry party it was. Mr. Teddy Bear and Mr. Golliwog happened to call, and were, of course, invited to stay. Nina thought she had never enjoyed a tea party so much in her life. After tea Nina offered to help the dollies wash up, but they said, “No, Miss Nina, you are our guest; we will do all the work.” They made such a rattle and clatter clearing away that Nina awoke —to find that it was only nurse coming in with the tea tray.

“Dear me, Miss Nina,” remarked nurse, “you haven’t finished tidying up that muddle yet!” “Oh, I wish Fay’s magic wand was real, nursie,” said Nina, with a sigh. “Well, it might be useful,” answered nurse, laughing, “but a little energy’s a very much better thing!”