My gorgeous four year old daughter Rosie had just started  pre-school and I felt so proud of her.  This was her third week and she had settled in really well.

I had just returned  after dropping Rosie off, when the phone rang.  Would I come to the school straight away, as Rose had collapsed!

The hospital tests proved positive. How was it possible that such a tiny child could be diagnosed with can… I can’t say the word –  the very sound is abhorrent.

The next morning with a big smile, I greeted Rosie.

What would you like for your breakfast?

Mummy why are you so happy? And why do I feel so sad?

I sat down on the bed next to Rosie.  It will be those mischievous fairies – they must have borrowed  your happiness.  Did you know in fairy land there lives a fairy Queen who sends her fairies out to borrow happiness from little children?

Why would she do that Mummy?

Well Rosie, because she wishes to be beautiful and young just like you. I know what we’ll do, we will write to fairy Blue Bell, the ”Happy Fairy” –  telling her we want all of your happiness back.

Rosie’s face lit up.

We will place it by the pond as it’s a full moon tonight when all the fairies come out to dance and sing.

Every morning I would carry Rosie down to the pond to see if there was a reply.

Then one morning a very  strange coincidence happened! There was a fairy ring of toadstools by the pond, the perfect place for fairy Bluebell’s reply.

The next morning – look Mummy a letter! Is it from fairy Bluebell?

I’d not seen Rosie this happy in a long time.

The following week at the hospital we received the news that we had all been praying for – Rosie had responded to her treatment.

It was dawn when Rosie woke me up.

Mummy come quickly.

There on the outside windowsill of her bedroom were the tiniest pair of ”Green Velvet shoes”.

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Sandra James
Sandra James(@sandra-james)
2 years ago

A beautiful story, Eric! You conveyed the range of emotions perfectly. Well done 🙂

Genya Johnson
Genya Johnson(@genya-johnson)
2 years ago

I love fairy stories, but this was much more. A child needed hope and it was given to her. Beautifully written and emotional.

Linda Rock
Linda Rock(@linda-rock)
2 years ago

What a tear-jerker Eric. That lump in the throat you get when something touches you deeply stayed with me until the very end. A magical Fairy Tale filled with emotion. And such an amazing mother.

Christer Norrlof
Christer Norrlof(@christer-norrlof)
2 years ago

A well written story, Eric. I love how the mother helps her daughter, not by crying and lamenting, but by going into Fairyland with her, and finding courage, hope and relief there.

Andrew Carter
Andrew Carter(@andrew-carter)
2 years ago

You know how to move the heartstrings, Eric. And the “Green Velvet Shoes” are a beautiful ending. Another touching piece  ? 

Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
2 years ago

Wow! I love your fairy tale, Eric. It is an extraordinary fairy tale, you manage it well bringing hope and belief to a young child which helps her to recover from her illness. Good job. I learn from it and hope to apply it to my children.

Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
Reply to  Eric Radcliffe
2 years ago

Thank you for sharing your story with us, Eric.

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