They certainly made an interesting sight: Oak, Sam, Sherwood and Henry, as they made their way out of the cave. It seemed they had walked forever, yet when Oak looked over her shoulder, it had been only eleven stones’ throw in distance. She found this to be a little disheartening, but said nothing, for her friends were bravely moving forward and she didn’t want to say or do anything to make them feel sad. Henry said, “We’re almost at the entrance, or one of the entrances. I can always tell because the fairies of the light start whispering in my ear.” Oak stopped and asked, “What? I don’t see any fairies anywhere. Henry, you’re fooling us, right?” He smiled and shook his head and laughed, causing the walls to shake a bit. “Oops, sorry!” Stones were falling from the ledges of the cave that were up above. “I’m so sorry. I’ll be more careful,” Henry said, looking down at his feet. Oak knew that Henry did that when he felt badly or embarrassed. “Oh, it’s OK,” said Sam, as he jumped onto Oak’s shoulder. “We know you didn’t mean to do it, but you really do need to be mindful of how big you are and how loud your voice and laughter is.” “Well”, Oak said,” grabbing Henry’s little finger with her arm, “No harm done. Now, Henry, please tell me about these light fairies.” Henry’s face lit up and he smiled so big and cute!
Sitting down very gently, Henry began. “When I was a baby, my mother would sing lullabies to me and my favorite was about the light fairies.” He softly hummed a little of the lullaby and everyone sat to listen. He said the words were, Little babies, do not fear; the sweet light fairies are always near. So shut your eyes and know you’re safe, for the fairies of the light are in this place. They love and protect you during the day and at night; you never have to fear the dark for nearby is their light. “Oh Henry! I just love it! It’s such a nice little song.” “Well, there’s more, but we need to keep moving until we’re out of the cave,” said Henry. Inside his heart, Henry was so happy he made Oak smile. Not many people smiled because of Henry. He noticed that even Sam was tapping his many legs to the tune and Sherwood was puffing little clouds of smoke in tune with the rhythm of the song.
They all stood up and continued following Henry to the light. As they walked, Oak was wondering about the light fairies, but decided to put off asking anything else until they were out of the cave. Finally, they all saw a light; a tiny little light ahead. Henry pointed to it and said, “There’s an entrance…or is it the exit? Hmmmmm.” Sam and Sherwood looked at each other and rolled their eyes. They hurried their pace and moved toward the light as quickly as they could. But it seemed that the more quickly they moved, the light never got closer. It was like the light was moving ahead at the same speed they were moving ahead. Oak was worried and Henry saw that. “Oak, don’t worry. I know we are close. It just doesn’t seem that way.”
All of a sudden, the light so far away, came rushing at them! There was no sound, just the light coming and coming until it stopped…it stopped right in front of Henry’s nose! He was grinning from ear to ear! Sherwood gasped and Sam just hung from the emergency web he had just spun to save himself from the light. Oak stood there, staring at the light. The light was a fairy; a beautiful yellow fairy with a pretty pink dress. Oh, she was amazing. The little fairy flew closer to Henry, until she was actually sitting on Henry’s nose. This presented a funny sight for Henry’s eyes crossed as he looked at the fairy. He obviously knew her and she knew him. “Henry”, she said (in a sing-song voice), “I’ve missed you so much” and she bent over and kissed him on the nose. “Aw, I’ve missed you too. I’m so glad to see you! We need your help.” “Why, of course, Henry. I knew that and that’s why I’m here. I’m always here for you, just as the lullaby your mother sang to you says.” Right then, the fairy looked at Oak, and smiled. “Hello, Oak. I’m Sun Song, of the Light Fairy Clan. I’ve know you a very long time.” “You have? I don’t think I know you,” replied Oak, with a puzzled look on her face. “Oh yes, Dear. You are my sister’s daughter; I’m your aunt.” Well, Oak almost fainted at that remark. She stared at Sun Song and couldn’t say a word. Her mind was racing, trying to figure all of this strangeness going on. Sun Song stepped closer and took Oak’s little hand. “You know what this means, don’t you?” Sun Song looked long and hard into Oak’s face. Slowly, Oak shook her head, but couldn’t say anything. Smiling, Sun Song leaned forward and gently kissed Oak on her forehead. “You, my dear, are a fairy…an honest to goodness fairy. Not only that, you are a very special one because you’re the daughter of Mary. Mary is our Queen and that makes you a princess…Princess Oak Willowglimmer.” Oak just still stood there; she could not believe her ears. The floor vibrated a little as Sherwood sat down. Sam spun a little web to hang out in and also to position himself so his 23 eyes could see everywhere.
Sam had a good “sense” of things…after all with all those legs and eyes, how could he not? While Sun Song was talking with Oak, Sam glanced up and down and all around. Right now, he had a sense that something just wasn’t right…he hung in the web, swinging back and forth slowly and noticed some movement under the long dress that Sun Song had on. That was strange because she was sitting down and he could see her feet, so it sure wasn’t her feet making the movement. Sam worked up the momentum of his swinging so that he could get closer to her. On his sixth swing toward her, he saw a tail; a tail that looked like a scorpion tail. The more he looked, the more he was sure. Sam knew scorpion tails well, for scorpions were his enemies. Henry was sitting and listening to Sun Song and didn’t seem to notice anything amiss. Sherwood didn’t either. All of a sudden, Sun Song looked sharply at Sam and asked (in a rather sharp tone), “Just what are you doing spider?” Startled by her tone, Sherwood, Henry and Oak looked at her and then at Sam, as he jumped back into the middle of his little web. “I’m just hanging out, like spiders do.” “Well,” she said, “You’re hanging a little too close to me and I don’t like spiders much anyway.” She rose to her feet and Oak jumped up and said, “Please don’t do anything to him. That’s Sam, my friend. He would never do anything to hurt you.” The fairy, who by the way, seemed to be changing colors, slowly walked toward Sam. (to be continued…)
Fairies of The Earth 