Page Two.
A Garden Problem.
Another day to get through, I have no idea of what I am going to do today. Turning in my bed I snuggle deeper into my pillow and wait for the alarm clock to ring. I could get up but somehow it seems so good to just lay and wait for the noise of the clock. I must have dropped off to sleep again for the ringing of the clock startled me out of one of those dreams that one remembers so fondly. A dream that is pleasant and giving one a feeling of wanting the dream to go on and on. I reluctantly get out of my bed and make my way to the bathroom. Performing my daily wash routine I go down to the kitchen and make myself breakfast. What shall I do today I ask myself again. Finishing my breakfast I go to the front door and look for post. There are no letters. The daily newspaper has been delivered and I spend some time reading through what is going on in this world.
While I was reading my newspaper I became aware that I was not alone a group of fairies had come in to the room by magic. They made no noise and were I think waiting for me to finish reading my newspaper. Folding my newspaper in its creases I laid it down on the table and turned to the waiting fairies. They all started to speak at once, I did not understand and called out, “please, one at a time, I cannot understand what you are saying, if you all speak at once”. Somewhat abashed the fairies stopped speaking and one of the older fairies told me that the fairies have planted a garden exactly the same as my back garden. Nothing seems to grow in their garden while in my garden all is coming on well. I will soon be able to cook fresh vegetables and eat fresh salads. I told the fairies that I would come and look at their garden to see what was wrong.
With a flock of fairies flying around my head I walked into the woods that are really Fairyland and we soon came to an exact replica of my own back garden. The beds had been laid out, plants and seeds sown but the growth was sadly lacking just a few green leaves here and there. I asked the fairies who had dug their garden? The answer did not surprise me they told me that they had asked the Leprechauns to dig the garden for them. The garden shed and my old wheelbarrow they had used magic to build them. I asked them whether they had used any manure while digging the garden; yes they had used the dry rotting leaves from the forest floor.
Have you shown this garden to anyone else, the wise old fairies for example? Have you shown it to Her Majesty Queen Feeana, Queen of all the Fairies? No they had not shown any one the garden they were too sad that nothing would grow. I looked carefully at the garden and could see no reason why nothing would grow. Then it struck me and I started to smile then burst out into a good hearty laugh. The fairies looked at me now a little afraid that they had done something terribly wrong. I smiled once again and then told them that they had put the garden in the wrong place. It was too dark in the woods all plants need light and the light comes from the sun. The leaves of the trees were blocking the light from the plants. All plants need light to grow. Looking very abashed the fairies hung their heads and were ashamed that they had forgotten one of Mother Natures laws. For anything to grow it must have light and light comes from the sun. Some of the younger fairies started to cry and I felt sorry for them all and proposed that we build anew garden where it was light and no trees could shut out the sunlight. Soon we had our new garden it was exactly the same as my back garden and in a few weeks there were plants and vegetables growing with lots of flowers. Indeed it looked just like my own back garden and we all went away happy. The fairies now know that all plants need light, just digging and planting does not work.
White Unicorn.
A beautiful white unicorn came my way,
Come it said let us with the fairies play.
I agreed I thought it would be nice,
much better than playing with mice.
The unicorn let out a trumpeting call,
it was answered by the fairies one and all.
Making rings of pretty daisies and corn,
We threw them over the unicorn’s horn.
The fairies soon tired of this play,
And threw the daisy corn rings away.
We all went looking for strawberries wild,
I found a large patch, large for a child.
First we fed them to the white unicorn,
Ate some ourselves gave some to a leprechaun.
Then we went deeper into the woods so green,
And were met by the beautiful Fairy Queen.
She said it would be nice to play hide and seek,
We all gave a solemn promise not to peek,
The unicorn hid very well behind some elderberry trees,
It was I that found him down on his knees.
Fairies I found quite easily it can be said,
Most of them had hidden in a mossy bed.
The most difficult of all to find, I found,
Was the Fairy Queen she had hidden under the ground.
Playing with the fairies and the white unicorn,
Made me feel glad that I had been born.
If a beautiful white unicorn comes your way,
At least be ready with the fairies to play.
A Pig Tale.
Many years ago in Fairyland a wild pig with its young was passing through. One of the small pigs ran off looking for adventure. The mother pig with the rest of the piglets wandered on her way with the piglets running after her. That is the last that was seen or heard of the mother pig and her piglets. The little pig that had run off from its mother walked around in large circles getting nowhere. The pig was very hungry it was hours since it had drunk any milk from its mother. Now the little pig was frightened as he realised that he was all alone in the woods. He squealed and grunted his fear and hunger. It was then that a small group of fairies found him. The fairies were delighted to have a little pig all to themselves. The fairies fed it on fairy cakes and water that they collected from the stream that runs through fairyland.
All went well with the pig and he grew into a fine young boar. (Male Pig), Time went by and the pig felt quite well in fairyland. It got to know all of the places where the best mushrooms grew and it eats of the many berries in the woods. One day a young Leprechaun saw the pig wandering around fairyland. This he thought was fine, a pig that he could sell and get some gold for his collection. All Leprechauns collect gold it is for the times when they no longer can work. Taking a piece of cord from his rucksack he placed it around the neck of the pig and wandered off to where the humans live. Coming to a farm he offered the pig to a farmer for two pieces of gold. The farmer was delighted to get such a bargain as this young pig and after paying the Leprechaun he placed the pig in a sty with some other pigs.
The young pig was now very unhappy it had run the woods with all its freedom now he was reliant on the farmer to feed him. He too had to push and fight for a place by the trough where twice a day the farmer placed the pig food. The young pig now grew fat the food was plentiful and it had a good appetite, Back in the woods the fairies were unhappy that their pig was gone. All had taken pleasure in feeding it and riding on its back. The fairies spent much time looking for the pig but as time went by and the pig was no more to be seen, they, like all fairies interested themselves in other things. On the farm the pig was now very heavy and had no trouble to get to the food trough and eat his fill the other pigs were afraid of it and left it well alone.
One day the pig rubbed against the pig sty door and through its large weight the door burst open and the pig ran off back to its beloved woods. He had never forgotten the freedom of his young life. What’s more all of the other pigs now that the sty door was open, too ran off. They did not wander far and the farmer was easily able to capture them all and return them to the stall. The large fat pig that was the farmer’s pride had gone for good the farmer never saw it again. Many a tale did the farmer tell among his friends of how the largest pig that he had ever possessed had run away. He told all that would listen that an evil witch had spirited his pig away. Soon no one listened to him, only his wife knew of the farmer’s anger at loosing so large a pig. It would have given much bacon and he would easily have sold it for much more than the two pieces of gold that he had paid for it.
The fairies were surprised to see such a fat pig in Fairyland now, they did not feed it as they were afraid that if it ate any more it would explode. The pig now that the fairies did not feed it had to look harder for all of the good things to eat. He found plenty of food in the summer but in the winter things were very hard indeed and he wished that he were back on the farm. One day one of the fairies told the Fairy Queen of the pig that now roamed Fairyland. Her Majesty looked in her magic mirror and saw the huge fat pig it was enormous. Waving her wand Her Majesty turned the pig back into the size it was when it had run off from its mother. The fairies now had another little pig that they could play with and ride on its back. Around its neck Her Majesty placed a gold circle that kept it from wandering off and no one not even the Leprechauns would interfere with Her Majesties golden charm around its neck. The pig wandered around fairyland for over two hundred years. When it finally died the fairies gave it a wonderful burial ceremony. No one knows where it is buried, if anyone finds the remains of the pig they will find the wonderful gold charm that’s around its neck.
Alone.
It has been a long lonely week. No one has been to see me it is as if the Fairies have forgotten me. I decided to go for a walk in the woods to see if anyone that I know is about. I walked slowly to the woods but could see no one it is all very mysterious. Fairies usually come to greet me when I go in the woods but I was alone. I looked for Fairy rings not a toadstool was to be seen not a sign that Fairies had gathered here to dance and sing. I wondered what had happened to make them leave this their most treasured part of Dartford Heath. It was a complete mystery. No Fairies, no Elves, no Pixies not even a wandering Leprechaun to greet me as I strolled through the woods. I decided to go back home and wait to see whether a message would come.
Three days later a robin flew in through my open window in its beak it held a small piece of parchment. I took the parchment and gave the robin some bead crumbs that I had dipped in the bacon fat from my breakfast. The bird ate the crumbs and flew off. I read the message. (Your house is being watched by a strange man, please be careful) This message was from Queen Feeana, Queen of all the Fairies. I was now very curious and at the same time relieved the Fairies were well and that is all that matters. I got up in the middle of the night and went to a place on the Heath where I had a good view of all that approached my house. Sure enough at seven o’clock a man dressed in black clothing carrying some high-powered binoculars took up a position where he could overlook my house.
I left my hiding place and walked quietly to where the man was standing half hidden behind a tree. I spoke to him saying that it is a good time to spot the warblers that abound on Dartford Heath. I wanted him to think that I was a bird watcher and that he was too was just watching birds, As he heard my voice he became very nervous, Taking my camera from my pocket I photographed the man and after another pleasantry or two I left him and made my way back to my house approaching it from the back. I now had a photograph of the man and could make a few enquiries in town. I showed the photo in the shops where I do my shopping but no one knew the man he was a complete stranger in the town. Once again, I called in a friendly robin and asked him to show the photo to Her Majesty Queen Feeana.
Her Majesty appeared in my sitting room in her usual way a small puff of smoke and a light blue flash. In her hand, Her Majesty held the photo that I had sent with the robin. “ You were right in sending this photo to me, the man is a well known Sorcerer and is up to no good,” she said. “ He has tried to harm the Fairies before a long time ago and is going to use you to get at us in some way or another,” I will be ready for him,” I told Her Majesty. “I have brought with me a small bag of peas they are so hard that even soaking them in water will not soften them.” “I want you to try to get him to eat one or more of the peas.” As soon as he swallows one of the peas it will swell in his belly and he will be unable to do any of his magic here in Fairyland.
The next day putting the peas in my pocket, I strolled into the woods with my binoculars and looked for the Sorcerer. I soon found him he was watching my house. My cheery Good Morning made him jump. “I see that you are still watching the birds.” I said. “Yes he replied I am still watching.” “I use a little trick myself I throw some peas on the ground the birds always fall for this trick and I can watch them at my ease.” I said Saying this I took the bag of dried peas from my pocket and threw a few onto the ground. “Would you like some?” I innocently asked. “Yes please.” Came the answer. I gave him a handful of peas and watched as he scattered some on the ground. I put one of the peas in my mouth and pretended to eat it. The Sorcerer absentmindedly put a pea in his mouth and swallowed it. His belly grew and grew. I felt sorry for him but I trusted Her Majesty who at that moment appeared on the scene.” “You are up to your old tricks again Mordekew” she said. Trying to harm the Fairies by using a human,” This must end at once. The pea will only go back to its normal size when you have helped a fairy that needs help.” “Until then you will wander the world as you are with your belly aching and bloated out of all size.” It was then that I had this idea.” “Your Majesty the Sorcerer was so interested in my house, would it not be a good idea for him to paint it from top to bottom?” “ So be it,” said Her Majesty.
I took the Sorcerer Mordekew home, got out my longest ladder, and placed it up to the roof. “Climb the ladder and paint,” I said. I watched him with his bloated belly climbing the ladder and left him to it. I made myself some lunch and offered the Sorcerer some of it but he just groaned. It took him three whole weeks to repaint my house. Doors, windows and it looked very smart when he had finished. As he painted the last piece of the front door his belly started to get smaller and smaller until he was of a normal size. I gave him some fresh clothes his own were in a terrible state with paint all over them. Then I insisted that he ate a meal before he went on his way. What I did not know was that Her Majesty had taken all his magical powers away and he was n longer a Sorcerer. As soon as he left my house, the Fairies came back and visited me as they had done in the past. I never saw the Sorcerer again and he has not been heard of since.
Aunty
Lilly,
My Aunty Lilly came on a visit today,
She said that she could not stay.
She only came to see me and my mice,
Which I thought was all rather nice.
In the fairies she did not believe,
Enough such stories I did weave.
I told her it was really all true,
I do not tell stories out of the blue.
Then we all sat down to have some tea,
A fairy appeared just to please me.
Aunty Lilly was very much surprised,
You are a real fairy she surmised.
Then the mice appeared on the scene,
Hello they said to the Fairy Queen.
My Aunt Lilly appeared to be ill at ease,
She quickly gave her cheeks a squeeze.
There are fairies she quietly said.
Oh dear now my face has gone red.
Yes Aunty, fairies visit me every day,
They come you know with the mice to play.
The next time we have a fairy ball,
I will invite you to come and call.
Do not be surprised at what you might see,
Remember the fairies come just to see me.
A
Dragon Tale.
I now have a Dragon to protect from all harm,
a wonderful creature full of mystical charm.
In Fairyland I go to visit him every single day.
He is a happy being always wanting to play.
Every day I must use all of my magic power.
He needs his large feeds every second hour.
My fairies are delighted to have such a friend.
They happily play together for days on end.
The fairies are kept busy painting new flowers,
I have for my Dragon built some new showers.
He has a huge appetite for trees and fresh grass.
I now wonder how it survived in the Alpine pass.
Delicacies and titbits arrive from over the sea.
There are even a few that are addressed to me.
The little folk send help from the World all over.
My new Dragon now lives his life in clover.
Leprechauns are curious this we all know.
Many tall tales of the dragon they did sew.
The Fairy Queen came to see my dragon and me.
Why she even stopped for a cup of my famous tea.
I told Her Royal Majesty that all was quite well.
Just to be sure she cast another magic spell.
A wave of her wand and my Fairyland disappeared.
It was just an ordinary back garden for all that neared.
Now all one can see is my rhubarb and my green peas.
It will be this way forever the spell will never cease.
My Dragon will live the rest of his long life in freedom
Looked after by fairies and magic in this fairy kingdom.
A
Day with the Frogs.
Once a year it might be more often. Fairies have a day where they sit and think about everything that has gone wrong in their lives. Fairies make mistakes and mainly the results are beautiful to the eye. When painting flowers and one of them is not paying attention to what he or she is doing the colours sometimes run. This effect is beautiful to the eye of the beholder but all Fairies know that each flower has certain colours that are essential to that particular flower. Daisies for example are white petal flowers with a heart of yellow. It would be very unusual for our eyes if daisies suddenly became red and blue in colour. It is these mistakes that the Fairies sit and think about.
During one of these think days the Fairy Queen Feeana, herself came to see whether the Fairies were thinking about their mistakes. This was not the case; the Fairies were playing games and having great fun. Her Majesty could not believe that the Fairies could behave in this way after all the instructions were very clear. Each Fairy had to sit and think about past mistakes made so that such mistakes shall not be made in the future. Her Majesty was most annoyed, took out her Magic Wand, and cast a spell over the Fairies. Each Fairy turned into a frog. All of the Fairies now found themselves sitting on a toadstool in a large round circle. All the Fairies could do was to croak and complain about the Queens treatment.
Twenty-four hours the Fairies were sitting in the circle croaking and complaining but it was Her Majesty’s way of keeping discipline when working with flowers one must have discipline to work properly. I myself found the Fairies or should I say frogs sitting on their toadstools it was the noise they made that showed me the way to them. I saw at once that some very powerful magic had been at work. No frog would sit in a circle on toadstools. These Frogs could only have been Fairies. Fairies under a spell but Fairies all of the same, I sat myself down on an old tree stump and decided to watch and see what would happen and to make sure that no harm would come to them. The day passed and the stars lit up the night sky and I still sat on my log. Nothing happened and I got up to move my stiff legs and shake my tired aching arms. My tummy rumbled, as I had not thought to bring any food or drink with me into the woods.
I looked at my watch and saw that it was eleven o’clock the following day; I must have dozed off into a light sleep. Then it happened a bright blue flash and a small puff of smoke and Her Majesty Queen Feeana appeared. I watched as she waved her wand and the frogs turned back into Fairies. Her Majesty asked whether they had learned their lesson or not, and back came a chorus of yes it was then that Her Majesty saw me sitting on my tree stump. I told her of my being attracted by the noise the Fairies made as Frogs and had to come and see what was happening in this part of Fairyland. Her Majesty told me that instead of using the free day to think about their mistakes the Fairies had been playing and making a noise that even Her Majesty had heard although she lived about a mile away. It was her punishment for the noisy Fairies. Her Majesty apologised for my having been disturbed by the Frogs. I then told Her Majesty that the Fairies or frogs had made noise for about an hour then they had settled down and all was quiet only a faint croak came from a Frog, Fairy occasionally.
Her Majesty then saw that I was not my usual self and waved her Magic wand in my direction. I felt great. My tummy was now full and I had been refreshed as if I had taken a bath, even the stubble of my day old beard was gone. My clothes were freshly washed and ironed and I was on top of the world. Her Majesty smiled at my looking so well and said, “that is my was of saying thank you, you looked after my Fairies all day and night and did not once think about yourself”. “Now my fairy children will have this experience once a year it is a good way for them to learn self-discipline.” Therefore, if you go into the woods and see Frogs sitting on toadstools do not disturb them know that it is the fairies, learning one of the greatest lessons of this life. Self discipline.
