Twinkles, A Fairy

Twinkles, A Fairy1

Once upon a time in Fairyland there was a young fairy named Twinkles who thought she was not very good at being a fairy.  She tried to do the magic and mysterious things which were expected of her but nothing seemed to work out the way it was supposed to.2

Every time she would sprinkle fairy dust to make the magic happen, everything would get covered with SAND!!!  All of nature’s creatures around her would scold her, tell her she was a bad fairy and would try to avoid her as much as possible.3

And there was the time that the farmers’ pig, Elmo wanted her to make him into a handsome prince among hogs....but as soon as Twinkles waved her magic wand Elmo was transformed into a toad.  Now this really upset Elmo because he was always having to hop out of the way of the other pigs’ feet.   Twinkles did manage to get him transformed back into his former self but not without the help of the wise old fairy, Habatha.  4

And how about the many times she tried the ordinary task of making the flowers bloom each morning…… only to have them droop and not bloom until days end, and sometimes not at all??!!5

Now this was all very embarrassing to Twinkles, always having to get help to perform everyday common fairy tasks. These were things all the other fairies did without a problem.6

“I just can’t be a good fairy, I guess”, she said to herself.  “I might as well find another way to live”.  And she began to weep, for she really loved the fairy life.  “What can I do, though”, she said sadly.  7

As she sat alone on a tree stump she began to feel sleepy so she smoothed a place on the grass so she could lie down for a nap.8

She went sound asleep and before long was deep into a dream.  She dreamed that she heard a little voice beside her saying, “Twinkles, Twinkles, help me.  Please help me.  My wings are damaged beyond repair, I can no longer fly”.   She looked and saw that it was a tiny insect speaking.9

The dream seemed so real, she almost thought it was really happening but she told the fragile little insect to go away, that she couldn’t help him.  He would just have to deal with it himself or get another fairy to help him.  But the little insect just sat there, nearly unable to move, weak from struggling to get closer to Twinkles.  10

“Please?”, asked the little bug weakly.  He sounded so sad and weak and Twinkles tried to think of a way to help him.  My wings, perhaps he can use my wings, she thought, and after much effort she was able to remove them from her slender back.  She looked longingly at them, wishing she could put them to use but alas, by now she had given up nearly all hope of being a real fairy.  She offered them to the little bug who looked at her in surprise.11

“Oh, no”, he said, “ I cannot take your wings, you’ll need them yourself.  All fairies need wings”.  12

She loved her wings and caressed them wistfully, so light and fragile looking, yet so strong.  “Take them, please”, she said.  “I’m not a good fairy and you can put them to much better use.  You need them.  Please accept them with my blessing”.  With that, she placed them gently upon his back, adjusting them a bit until they fit perfectly.  13

“Oh, Twinkles, thank you.  They’re the best wings in the world and you’re the best fairy in the world”, he said with a smile and tears in his eyes.  “I shall never forget your kindness and generosity”.  He gave her a big hug, a kiss on the cheek, and flew away with his lovely new wings.14

Twinkles slept restfully after that, awakening to a strange new feeling to her body.  She sat up, stretched and leaned back against the log.  But what….?   There was something pressing slightly against her back, not the log, this was a softer feeling.  I must have slept crooked on my wings, she thought to herself. She stood up and looked backwards, trying to see her wings. 15

What she saw was the most beautiful pair of fairy wings she had ever seen and there beside her was the wise fairy Habatha who had helped her out of so many dilemmas.  They both looked in awe at the beauty of Twinkles new wings, all shiny and silky.  Twinkles was speechless, not understanding what was happening.  16

Habatha gave her a gentle smile and began to explain the emergence of the wings.17

“You see, my dear”, said the wise old fairy, you have done a very special deed today.  You gave up something you treasured, to help someone who needed help.  To give of yourself in such an unselfish way is one of the highest deeds we can do.  That poor little insect would not have lasted much longer with just his broken wings.  You gave up a treasured possession for his benefit, allowing him to live a normal life.  Those wings will take him far and will always remain special to him because of your kindness”.18

“But it was just a dream, I’m not a good fairy, Habatha, I’m almost useless in Fairyland.  These wings should be given to a fairy who is good at what she does, not wasted on a fairy like me.”   19

“Don’t be so hard on yourself, Twinkles, try them”.  And with a flick of her wings she flew away, leaving Twinkles alone in her amazement.  20

Just then the little bug from her dream flew past her, then began to fly in circles around her.  She watched in astonishment, barely believing her eyes.  It hadn’t been a dream after all.  21

“Come on, Twinkles, come fly with me”, he coaxed happily.  Twinkles spread her wings and began to fly.22

She flew higher than she’d ever been before, then swooped down again.  The new wings were working wonderfully.  She flew around for a few minutes, then realizing what time it was, she thought she’d give the fairy powers a try.  The sun was beginning to lower itself in the sky and soon would be replaced by the moon.  What could she do quickly?!23

A sunset, that’s what I’ll do, I’ll see if  I can start now so that more people can enjoy its beauty.  She raised her magic wand and flew towards the horizon.  The sky changed from blue to pink and gold, the shadows grew longer and within minutes there for all to see was the most beautiful sunset of all time.24

“It worked!!!”. She shouted in happy amazement. And the sun seemed to stand still, holding on to the beauty as long as it could.25

From that day forward, Twinkles helped the flowers bloom, the sun rise and set and her fairy dust was the purest of all.  At last, Twinkles was the good fairy she had always hoped to be.  And it happened because of her thoughtfulness and kindness. 26

By Granny Goose27

April 2, 200528