Star Fairy

Little Sheila was busy one day preparing tea for her dolls, carefully arranging tiny cups and pretending to be a gracious hostess. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Sheila thought one of her friends must have come to visit. Excitedly, she ran to open the door—but instead of a friend, she saw a strange and beautiful woman standing there with three small children in her arms.

The woman was unlike anyone Sheila had ever seen. From her arms grew magnificent wings made of seven glowing colors, shimmering softly in the light. On her forehead, a bright star sparkled, and her dress looked as if it were woven from delicate butterfly wings. The sight filled Sheila with wonder rather than fear.

Smiling at the woman, Sheila asked innocently, “Beautiful lady, who are you?”

The woman replied gently, “I am Star Fairy.”

Sheila, curious as ever, asked, “What do you want from me?”

Star Fairy answered, “Please allow me to come into your house for a little while.”

Sheila frowned and asked, “What will you do inside?”

The fairy replied calmly, “I want to bathe my children in your bathroom.”

Sheila thought for a moment and then said cheerfully, “Alright, you may.”

Star Fairy went inside and began bathing her children. Wanting to be a good host, Sheila ran quickly to the market to buy biscuits for her beautiful guest. When she returned, however, she was surprised to find that the fairy had vanished. The house was silent, but the bathroom was filled with a sweet, magical fragrance.

Looking around in astonishment, Sheila noticed that Star Fairy had forgotten a lovely glove on the clothesline. The glove was delicate and charming. As soon as Sheila saw it, she cried out in excitement. She rushed forward and put it on her hand.

The moment she wore the glove, Sheila was transported into an entirely different world.

She found herself standing on a mountain made of sweet pudding, with rivers of milk flowing down its sides. Scattered across the mountain were small silver spoons. Sheila picked one up and happily began eating the delicious pudding peaks. After eating, she felt thirsty and climbed down toward the rivers. By the riverbanks were bowls filled with sugar crystals. She filled a bowl with milk from the river, drank it, and moved on.

Everywhere she looked, there were gardens upon gardens. Colorful fountains of syrup danced in the air, and beside each fountain were tiny emerald glasses. Sheila drank from one fountain, then another, and then a third—each syrup had a completely different and delightful taste.

As she explored further, Sheila realized that even the chirping birds in the garden were made of sweets. She caught a cuckoo and a nightingale, tasted them, and continued walking. Soon, she arrived at a large and beautiful marketplace. Fairies were everywhere, moving gracefully among the stalls. Sheila blended into the crowd and began watching the lively scene.

The shops sold the most unusual things: colorful flowers, butterflies, stars, pearls, flying birds made of sugar, decorative vases, jams, chocolates, and all kinds of toys. Suddenly, Sheila spotted Star Fairy standing at one stall with her children. To Sheila’s surprise, the fairy was secretly stealing narcissus flowers for them.

Sheila shouted, “Star Fairy! Why are you stealing the shopkeeper’s flowers?”

Star Fairy turned around, smiled softly, and said, “Sheila, come closer to me.”

When Sheila approached, Star Fairy gently placed her soft hands over Sheila’s eyes and said, “Sheila, do not see what you are seeing. Do not think what you are thinking. Forget everything you have seen.”

Then Star Fairy let out a beautiful laugh and slowly removed her hands from Sheila’s eyes.

Sheila felt frightened. She opened her eyes wide and looked around—but everything was gone. She was lying on her bed. Her brother’s white rooster was crowing loudly, announcing the morning. In the sky, the morning star twinkled playfully, smiling at her as if sharing a secret.