Read by Matilda Longbottom

NNestled discreetly within a secluded glen lies an enchanting fairy village. It is so minuscule, so delicately concealed, that it often goes unnoticed by passersby. Among the blossoms, there are diminutive abodes hidden from plain sight. To catch a glimpse, one would have to lower themselves almost to the ground. Within these petite dwellings reside tiny fairies, keeping one of the best-kept secrets—a realm unknown to all!

If you’ve never laid eyes on a fairy, don’t be surprised. These magical beings prefer to hide their wonders. With perpetual smiles, they flutter about on gossamer wings, capable of transporting them from one enchanting spot to another. Although they possess legs and can walk, who wouldn’t choose flight if gifted with wings?

Most fairies tend to be rather bashful. They find joy in helping others, be they humans, animals, or plants, yet they prefer to do so secretly. If you’ve ever stumbled upon something you thought was lost or witnessed a glimmer in the sky during moments of sadness, it might well be the handiwork of a fairy!

The fairy village hums with constant activity. While the homes themselves may be scattered, a bustling village square serves as the heart of the community. A miniature pond for fishing, benches for relaxation, and swings for amusement make it a lively hub. In their spare moments, when not engaged in acts of kindness, the fairies gather to chat and play.

One of the fairies that lives in this glen is Twinkle Star. Twinkle Star just loves being a fairy. She loves everything about it. What’s not to love about being a fairy? She has wings and can fly anywhere she wants. She gets to spend her days bathing in buttercups and napping under mushrooms. Each afternoon, she gathers in the square with her friends to chat about their days and plan ways to be of help.

Twinkle Star also loves her little fairy village. She thinks it is the very best place to live. Of course, it is the only place she has ever lived. She loves her tiny little pink house. Her bed is a hammock made from a leaf. Her table and chairs are made from bits of twigs tied together with strands of grass. Her couch is a nice fluffy dandelion and is the most comfortable place to relax with a book or game.

Today, Twinkle Star can’t wait to get to the square. Just as she approaches the square, she notices her best friend Ellie coming from her house on the opposite side of the park. They race to the center and are quickly joined by Lemon Drop and Aria.

They quickly all go to the bench and start talking at once. You would think they hadn’t spoken in weeks instead of just yesterday! They realize that they can’t figure out what each other is saying, all laugh, and decide to take turns.

Ellie tells them all about the roses that she saw drooping on their stems. Their sad faces were staring down towards the ground. She used a little fairy magic to give them some extra sunshine and sparkling dew. The roses now have their proud heads tilted up towards the sun.

Lemon Drop shares about the baby bunny she met at the strawberry patch. The bunny really wanted to meet new friends but was too shy to introduce himself. Lemon Drop led the baby bunny to the group, and they all had a morning of fun and games.

Aria said that she had followed a sound she heard at the edge of the forest. She had been watching the morning sun when she heard a faint twinkle and crept closer to inspect. It was the cry of a stream that was unable to flow freely. She used her magic to show children the way to help until the stream was able to flow freely once again.

Twinkle Star loves little kids. She had spent the morning watching kids play a game in a nearby field. She wasn’t quite sure what exactly they were doing, but it had something to do with a big ball and a lot of running. She kept a close eye and used her magic to help a couple of little kids when they started to fall.

As the fairies spend the afternoon reliving their accomplishments, they share in the joy of aiding others. For they truly believed that the greatest joy in life comes from being a help to others. ❖