THE FAIRIES COMPETITION

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 898, 15 February 1930, Page 31

THE FAIRIES COMPETITION

And How Happiness Came to Earth

Once upon a time, when the world was quite young, there was a Compe- | tion in Fairyland. Seven fairies, having been told that mortals were very unhappy, begged leave to go to earth and Ivy to help them. This leave the Queen granted at once. “Go, little messengers,” she said, and as soon as either of you has given to mortals some gifts that will make them happier, return to me and I will reward you.” The fairies bowed low in farewell and descended to earth, very proud of their mission, and each determined to do something really grand and wonderful so as to please their beloved queenTime went by, and then back the first of the fairies came to report himself and his doings. Naturally there was great excitein Fairyland, and you may guess he did not have to wait long for his audience. When he had kissed the Queen’s hand and answered her eager inquiries about his welfare, he told his story, as follows: “Truly the world is a sad place, and men are very foolish and helpless. 1 wondered to see such misery. In summer, when the days are long and warm and the nights bright, they are not so much to be pitied; but when winter comes, dark and cold they are in a wretched plight. Men, women and children cower, shivering in their dismal caves, with no better protection from the cold than tne furry skin of some unfortunate animal who had been that much better provided than they. “So I taught them ‘to cage the sunbeams and make light and warmth in their dwellings. “Now they sit by their firesides while the flare of the torches cheers the gloom and they are more content. “Have I done well, my Queen?” _ well,” replied the Queen. “You shall be called Fire King, and shall be guardian of glow worms, fireflies and all luminous creatures. ' Ho your dutv oy them diligently.” So she dismissed him. The Queen was holding her court in the gay greenwood, when the next was ushered into her presence, and you can think what a silence there was as everyone strained eyes and ears to see the wanderer and catch each word of her report. “Greeting, oh Queen,” she began. “I wandered long upon the earth wondering what best to do for these poor mortals, for there was so much needed that it seemed hard to choose any one thing as best. Then I decided that their dwellings in trees, caves or holes in the ground were oetter fitted for beasts than for humans. So I taught them to build houses; now they are sheltered from the inclement earth weather and are happier than before. Art thou pleased, dear Queen?”

“Very pleased,” replied the Queen. You shall be called Home Fairy, and shall be guardian of all house-building creatures. Farewell; be faithful in this also.”

Everything went on as usual for some time, and then the third fairy came wandering back, and was conducted to the Queen. 1 “Hail, oh Queen,” he said, “these humans are indeed a strange race. I found them quarrelsome, and even fighting, and as I thought this was partly for lack of better employment, I taught them to plough fields and sow corn and grow flowers and fruit, and in doing these things they sometimes forget their quarrels. Only sometimes, though, and only for a little time. I fear it is but a small thing that I have done,” and the fairy hung his head as he finished speaking. “A small thing now, but one that will grow,” replied the Queen, smiling at him very kindly. “You shall be called Fairy Agrarius, and shall be the guardian of the crops. Great things spring from small beginnings” It was not till years later that the fourth fairy came home, and told his tale as follows:

“I had a hard task, for my brother Agrarius made mankind so happy with his ploughs and corn, flowers and fruit, that I thought there was nothing left for me to give. But these mortals are never contented for long, and after a while they began to grow restless and tired of being in one place, and would stand on the seashore looking longingly at the ocean. So I taught them how to make ships, and now they sail merrily over the once impassable waters, bringing home beautiful things* from other lands; and this pleases them. Does it also please you, great Queen?” “Very much indeed,” said the Queen. “You shall be called Fairy Nautikos, and shall be the guardian of all swimming creatures.” Nautikos went off quite happily to his new work, and things resumed their usual course in Fairyland till the fifth fairy appeared before the Queen. “Well,” said she, “and what gift did you bestow upon men to make them hazier?” “Pictures, fair Queen,” she replied, smiling prettily. “Pictures?” repeated the Queen, amazed. “What could thdjr want with pictures? Have not all the beauties of nature been provided for them?” “Perhaps I was wrong,” replied the fairy sadly, “but it seemed right. Mv brothers and sister had taught them useful things, and now the crv went up that it was always work, “ work, work; that man must have some amusement. Also those who sailed to far-off lands brought home strange tales of strange things, which words failed them to describe. So I taught them how to trace their thoughts on wood and stone, and in doing so they find pleasure themselves, and also give pleasure to others. Be not angry, dear Queen.” “I am not angry.” said the Queen; “only astonished. You have done what you could, and that is well. You shall be called Fairy Pinxit, and shall be the guardian of light, shadow and colour.” Hardly were the words out of her mouth when the sixth fairy flew in and knelt before the Queen. “Welcome home,” said the Queen- “ Tell us your news. Did you find any gift to bestow upon mankind?” “Yes, your Majesty, music,” she replied promptly. “Music! You gave them music?” exclaimed the Queen, with a world of wonder in her voice. “What can you mean? Had they not the birds, the streams, ah, everything?” “True, oh Queen,” replied the fairy, “all this they had, and were still unsatisfied, for these humans want to do everything themselves. So I taught them to imitate the birds’ songs and other sounds in nature. They do not do it very well, but it pleases them, and they call it music. Did I do wrong?” “No, rm: excellently well,” said the! “You shall be J called Fairy 1

Tonos, and shall be the guardian of all sweet sounds.”

j So the fairy was cheered, and gratej fully set about her new duties. I After this such a long time passed j Without any news of the last fairy that the Queen began to be troubled. So she called her six messengers. Fire King, Home Fairy, Agrarius, Nautikos. Pinxit and Tonos, and bade them return to earth and seek the lost fairy ! till they found her, when they were. | without fail, to bring her back to I Fairyland. They hunted high and low, till at last they found her and told her the Queen’s will. She looked sad, but of course had to obey. Thus they all returned to Fairyland and stood before the Queen, three on each side, and the truant in the middle, her head bent, looking very dejected. The Queen smiled kindly at her. for she had been a favourite of hers. She had hoped she would do better than any of the others on the mission to earth, and now—she didn’t know what to think. “Look up, little one,” she said at last: “you have been absent a very long time, and should have done much. Your brothers and sisters have all returned long since with their missions successfully accomplished. Now tell us what great gift you have bestowed upon mankind.” The little fairy glanced up, and then dowh again, opened her mouth as to speak—then closed it, as if afraid; but finally, making a great effort, replied, almost inaudibly: “Nothing, dear Queen.” “Nothing!” echoed the Queen, so sadly that the tears rolled down the little fairy’s cheeks. “You whom I loved and trusted most of all! Why have you given nothing when the others acquitted themselves so well? ’ “because I had not time. Nay, hear me,” she pleaded, as the Queen seemed about to interrupt her; “hear me before you judge. These mortals are not as we are—kind, gentle, and loving—but fierce, savage, and quarrelsome. Nor are they (like us) immortal, but are subject to sickness, pain. and death. So the world is a verv sad place. Even those things that mv brothers and sisters gave them for happiness, men soon used amiss, and even made them a cause of suffering, for their minds are very crooked and warped, and can never be brought to see things as we do. As I was unable to prevent that, it seemed to me better to give no gift, but merely to help those who suffered in every way I could. So I wandered over the earth drying tears of sorrow, comforting the sad, making peace between those who fought. If any were wounded. I -bound their wounds with healing ointments: to the sick I gave life-giving herbs, which cured them. Little by little, as they learnt from me, they are showing more love and kindness to each other, and, whenever that happens they are happier, at least for a time Forgive me, beloved Queen, I could not no otherwise.” The Queen ran down the steps of the throne, and, flinging her arms round the little fairy, she kissed her again and again. “Forgive you, you little sweet thing” she cried. “It is rather I that should ask forgiveness for misjudging you. These others did well, and gave great gifts to mankind; but you gave yourself, without hope of reward, and what reward can X possibly offer for such a service?” “Dear Queen,” said the little fairy, if you truly think I have not wasted my time, give me leave to go back and continue to teach men to love each other.” “You shall,” answered the Queer.. You shall do what you will, though 1 am loth to part with you. You shall be called Fairy Agape (A-ga-pe, or Love), and shall be the greatest power the world has ever known, queen of the hearts of men.” And ever since then little Fairy Love 1 has wandered over the world, teaching ' the fairy magic of gentleness and kind- ! ness, and inspiring men and women to all that is noblest and best.