Project #47 - Cecily's Secret Book of Fairies - A Show Beneath the Willow Tree

Cecily ran out into the garden one June morning heading towards her favourite willow tree and the secret place she visited with the faires. It was very early in the morning for her to be up and about, but Cecily found that that was often the best time to see her fairy friends.

Just then something swooshed through the air right by her ear, but it was gone before she could see what it was.

Swoosh! There it was again. Then, Swoosh! Again! Cecily stopped and looked around her, a little bit annoyed now, as it seemed like she was being teased.

Just then she noticed a curious little purple-red bird sitting on a branch nearby; it was eyeing her carefully with its bright black eyes. Then Cecily noticed the bird was wearing a crown! She shook her head. Fairies, she was used to seeing, but a bird wearing a crown! That was different. And then she was even more astonished when the bird opened its beak and began to talk instead of chirping. "I'm so excited!" The bird whistled in its cheery high pitched voice.

"About what?" Cecily asked, completely forgetting that she was talking to a bird wearing a crown.

"The fairies are putting on a show today! And Titania is the star!"

"Well, that is exciting!" Cecily joined the little bird in its enthusiasm. "Is that why you're wearing a crown?" she asked.

The bird looked decidedly put out. "No." She said with annoyance. "I'm wearing a crown because I'm a princess." Before Cecily could comment further the little bird said, "Come with me, it's just about show time."

Cecily followed the little bird underneath the willow tree and saw a little stage set up in a bed of pansies. There was a little purple curtain as cute as could be, and a crowd of fairies gathered round, most of them sitting on toadstools and overturned acorns.

Suddenly the curtain opened and there was Titania, resplendent in the early morning sun. She flitted her wings so that they sparkled in the sunshine, and she zoomed around in circles, so fast that you could hardly make her out. Then she would pause over the flowers, and hover like a hummingbird, showing off her beautiful wings some more. The crowd of fairies and woodland creatures went wild, clapping and cheering and whistling. Cecily clapped her hands loudest of all and agreed with the others that it was the most fantastic show she had ever seen.

Cecily wanted to talk to Titania and congratulate her on the entertaining show. She peeked behind the purple curtain, and to her surprise, she saw some other fairies tucking Titania into her little bed, which was woven out of spider webs and lined with flower petals.

"Shhhhh...." said a small pixie. "She's tired herself out and needs her rest." Cecily couldn't help but giggle. Titania was such a show boat. "Okay, I'll come back later." she whispered, and went skipping back into the house.