Once upon a time, in a far away land, the moon shed it’s light bright as day over the valley. The surrounding hills were a soft velvety green and the brook sang as it gently flowed over the shinny rocks just below the surface. It was a picture of wonderment for the young fairie watching from the slopping bank. Even through her sadness the beauty of the night was enchanting.
Serena blinked back the tears as she tried to come to terms with her predicament. Lost again. How careless to get separated from her family once more. Would she never learn not to wander off to explore some new curiosity?
“Why are you crying?”
Serena looked around but could see no one.
“Where are you?”
“Over here, just under the water,” the voice replied. “Look closely and you can see me, next to the blue rock.”
Walking slowly to the water’s edge, Serena’s eyes tried to find the source of the voice. It was a pleasant sound, friendly and soothing, making her forget the trouble she was in.
“I can’t see you. What do you look like?”
“Well, I am not very big and I do blend in to protect myself. Look closely and I will wave at you.”
Serena squatted down and peered intently at the blue rock. Finally a tiny ripple on the surface of the brook rewarded her. Her eyes widened in delight as she spotted a small water fairie. How she wished she could live in the water too. Then maybe … But no, Serena was bound to the earth.
The water fairie spun ‘round and ‘round, showing off with some aerobics, churning the water into a stormy froth.
“What are you called?” Serena asked.
“I am known as Sprite. Come join me and we can have a great adventure together. Just you and me, forever and forever.”
Frightened, Serena jumped back in case Sprite tried to grab her. “I can’t do that. I have to live on the land. I would surely die if I were to join you.”
Sprite was deeply disappointed by Serena’s response. He had hoped to lure her into the brook and cast a spell so they would be bound together.
With tears again forming, Serena flew away from the enchanted scene. Leaving the bright moonlight behind, she tried to find the others. “Next time,” Serena muttered to herself, “I will pay more attention and not wander away.”
“Serena” a faint voice was calling.
“Serena,” closer now.
Hope filled her small being as she tried to determine the distance. There it was again, louder, closer.
“Serena”
Then the others came rushing through the air as if blown by a gentle breeze. Surrounding Serena with love and happiness that she had been found. They knew this would happen again. It was Serena’s way of satisfying her thirst for knowledge of all things. She could be no different and still be Serena. It was her nature and would never change.
Shouting with joy, Serena yelled, “You found me. Oh, thank you. I was so scared.”
Lifting Serena up with their wings, the other fairies carried her home. The holidays were fast approaching. How could they celebrate without their ray of light? She was their sunshine and it would be a dark world without her. Her brightness lit the valley better than any moonlight.