Story in the Book by Peggy Bertrand

Far away and long ago in a forest on the edge of a country across the large sea called Ireland. High in the mountains edge lived a band of fairies. Deep in the forest up high they ruled no man lived in sight.

A fairies life is much like ours they work, play, discover, eat, and sleep marry and have children.

Only difference is we are human and they are fairies. A fairy is around 5 inches tall they have wings shaped much like that of a butterfly. They look like miniature people. Often they dress in clothing made from leaves and flower petals. A joyful bunch they be those fairy folk.

You never find a community so kind and joyful thru out all of Ireland than that of the mountains fairies. Riding down the paths on tiny miniature unicorns and we thought that they were merely a myth. No tiny unicorns and I might add they fly on the backs of butterflies when they are too lazy to use their own wings for flight.

You are probably wondering how I know so much about the fairies. I guess it is time to start our story. You see old fables tell a story of how fairies could marry humans and then leave their children to be raised until they reached a certain age the changing age around 12-14 years old. Now slow down and be careful to what you believe. I’m not a fairy!
I said I would share with you so sit back and rest your head while I unfold the story for you.

I grew up on the edge of the mountain outside of Ireland. A daughter of a farmer was I.
When I wasn’t in school I helped with the farm chores feeding the livestock tending to the garden. Just about anything a girl could do.

I remember the day so well a wagon was crossing over the bridge in front of our farm.
A man and his wife in the front of the wagon and a girl around my age were in the back sitting on a bag of potatoes. She smiled as they passed by towards the city. I thought to myself yes a girl you see mainly boys were in my classes at school. And the girls that were there were all city girls not farmer’s daughters so they dressed different and did things different and none of them were my friends. Perhaps she will be. I went back to my chores.

In the morning upon reaching school just out side of the iron fence of the playgrounds in the schoolyard sat the new girl. Looking down at a bag she held in her hands. Hello I said quickly.

“You rode past my home yesterday.” I continued.

“Yes we did I remember you.” She replied.
“What is your name?” I asked.

“Serena Mc Clearly.” She answered.

“My name is Joslin Riley.” I said.

“I’m glad you have moved here.” I said in a joyful shout.

Serena smiled and we headed into the school for the day.

After school the two girls walked home together. Serena lived just on the other side of the bridge from Joslin’s farm. That made this new friendship even more special. School would be over for the summer and they could spend the summer together what fun thought Joslin. Serena seemed comfortable with her new friend also.

And friends they were when the two of them were not doing chores they were together.
One day while it was raining the two of them crawled up into the loft of Serena’s barn.
Watching the rain and listening to the thunder they read to each other from a book of fables Serena had. It was a wonderful book. Joslin had never seen such a magnificent book in her whole life. Pictures of beautiful fairies were on the cover dancing in forest so
lush and beautiful.

“Serena where did you ever get a book so beautiful?” asked Joslin.

“It was in my basket when my mother found me.” Said Serena.

“In a basket what on earth are you talking about?” asked Joslin.

“Just what I told you in the basket.” Replied Serena.

“You see my parents found me on the doorstep wrapped in blankets in a basket with this book inside of the basket with me.” She continued.

“Oh my!” I said in shock.

“I know wish I could have known them my real parents.” Said Serena.

“The book has a key I’m sure as to who and where I’m from.” Said Serena with a sigh.

Joslin felt sorry for her friend. She knew Serena was happy with her parents but she couldn’t help but wonder also where Serena really was from. Her complexion as so glowing and her frame smaller and more fragile than most of the girls there age.
She was beautiful with her long strands of golden hair in ringlets the length of her shoulders.

“You know Serena you may be a fairy.” Said Joslin.
“A fairy what on earth Joslin.” Shouted Serena.

“After all they left you a fable book of fairies.” Said Joslin.

“Have you ever seen a real fairy?” asked Serena.

Silence was for a moment. And then some more silence.

“Yes I have.” Answered Joslin.

“Near the forest edge of the mountain a band of fairies were dancing amongst the flowers on the edge of the path.” Said Joslin.

“Oh really.” Replied Serena.

“Maybe we should find them and see if they know who I Am.” Said Serena.

“That is not a bad idea.” Replied Joslin.

“And so we will tomorrow.” Said Joslin.

Serena left for home Joslin walked her to the edge of the bridge. Poor Serena she thought as she walked back to her home for the night. Rain was still falling in a mist.

Morning came quickly the girls met in the middle of the bridge and then strolled off towards the forest on the side of the mountain. Joslin lead the way for it was she that had seen the fairies in the forest before. Serena followed with excitement that she might finally find her questions answered about who she really was.

The two of them walked farther into the forest remaining only on the path. No fairies to be found. Not one in sight so the girls decided to rest near a brook close to the path against a large oak tree they began their rest. Serena brought her book along to show the fairies. She began to read the stories for Joslin. Little did she know that not only was Joslin enjoying the stories but others were also you see the girls were not alone.

For on a broken limb just a few feet away were several tiny fairies listening to the stories.
Until the girls were startled by rustling of leaves and tiny faint whispers. One of the fairies had tipped over the branch crashing all of them down to the ground together.
The girls moved the tall grass apart towards the direction of the whispers. To their surprise were a band of little fairies.

Startled to find that they had been discovered one of the taller fairies. Stepped forward towards the girls.

“So you spied us and now we have to stay and let you see us.” Said the fairy.

“You see us one or all and then if a fairy you chance to find a friend he be till the end of time.” Said another fairy.

Both girls looked at each other and smiled.

“Your book you were reading from.” Said one fairy.

“Yes it is my book.” Answered Serena.

“It is a book of fairy heritage.” Said a girl fairy.

“Yes it is.” Said Serena.

“No you do not understand.” Said a boy fairy.

“What is it you are trying to tell us?” asked Joslin.

“You see every fairy child has a book just like this one only our books are smaller.” Said the fairy.

“Yours may I see the front cover?” asked the girl fairy.

“Certainly you may.” Said Serena.

She moved closer for them to examine her book.

“Beautiful hand work and yes the signature is that of a fairy.” Said the girl fairy.

“You are a changing fairy.” Said the boy fairy.

“You mean the first story in this book is about me?” asked Serena.

“Yes that is your beginning.” Said the girl fairy.

“How can this be?” asked Serena.

“ Your father was a Prince Fairy who fell in love with a village maiden.” Said the boy fairy.

“You are their daughter you are part fairy.” Said a girl fairy in the bunch.

“You see if your parents loved long enough and were true to each other your mother could become a fairy by their devotion. “ said a fairy.

“You had to grow up as many changing fairies have had to with a regular human family.” Said the girl fairy.
“Come with us for in our village lives your mother and father.” Said the girl fairy.

Serena looked shocked and Joslin was totally shocked with this news.
The two girls followed the fairies deeper into the woods of the forest.
Reaching the village edge a few of the boy fairies ran ahead to Serena’s parents home.

They returned with a man and lady fairy. He was so handsome and she was so beautiful.

Joslin could see the resemblance of Serena to her parents. Her parents were so happy to see their long lost daughter. She visited with them and they explained everything to her and Joslin. She had a special ability to see and know things around her, which was her heritage. No one pushed her to stay for they all knew it is by choice when a changing fairy. Both girls said goodbye to the village of fairies and to Serena’s parents.

Hand and in hand with her book in her other arm the girls walked back home though the forest. Looking back again Serena turned and sighed having known that she finally finished the last piece of a puzzle she started long ago.

“You know Serena I knew you were special>” said Joslin with a smile.

“You are special for believing.” Said Serena.

Prose-n-Poetry.com

Story in the Book
by Peggy Bertrand
copyright 05-02-2002

Age Rating: 7 to 127

Prose-n-Poetry.com

Story in the Book by Peggy Bertrand copyright 05-02-2002 Age Rating: 7 to 127

Story in the Book
by Peggy Bertrand
copyright 05-02-2002

Age Rating: 7 to 127