The first time I saw Mignon, she was nestled in a bright red tulip, sound asleep. Her tumbled black curls glistening with dew, her gossamer wings folded neatly behind her back, she was the jeweled center of the March garden. I was enraptured, barely breathing. She opened her green-gold eyes, and the two of us were caught in a wordless moment of communication. Then somewhere a dog barked, children shouted and I was momentarily distracted. When I looked back she was gone.

April came, and with it, warmer days. I searched any flower that could hide a sleeping fairy, but to no avail. I longed to see her again – that tiny, magical creature so obviously from another world. Loneliness wrapped me in its grey fog, so that I barely noticed the new statue in the garden. An angelic little girl, in pale marble, holding a gardenia. I vaguely wondered where the statue had come from. I came here every day, but had never seen it before. “Hello sir,” whispered a voice that was light and musical, like bells. I turned in amazement and watched the statue step down from its perch and reach out to me. “A flower for you.” Again, our eyes locked. How did she grow from a tiny fairy, no bigger than my thumb, to a little girl? I blinked, and found myself alone in the garden.

May found me wandering through the roses in a daze. I could not forget those green-gold eyes, the deep communication in a single glance. My tears caused me to stumble, but a gloved hand kept me from falling, as her eyes captured mine once more. I touched her face, her hair. I slowly removed the white gloves and held her two hands up to my own face.

“Yes, I’m real,” she laughed. “I’m in your world now.” But when I touched her still-raw shoulder blades, she winced. Those familiar eyes, now the eyes of a woman, held pain, a flicker of fear, and a dawning hope.

“The choice was easy,” she lied, and I pretended to believe her.

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    Voice-Team
    Voice-Team(@voice-team)
    Admin
    2 years ago

    Unique and captivating use of the wing theme, featuring a fairy in a garden and her sacrifice to be “real”—part of our world of pain and hope.  An especially good ending.

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

    When I was a child I firmly believed that fairies existed, lived in our garden and would one day appear to me. I’m still waiting, ‘many’ years on but I haven’t given up hope 🙂 I liked how you moved the story through time and kept me wondering all through. Well done!

    Sandra James
    Sandra James(@sandra-james)
    Reply to  Julie Harris
    2 years ago

    I won’t give up, Julie! My little dog loves to walk in the early hours just as the birds awaken and the sun peeps over the horizon. I’m not always so eager but once outside it is the perfect time to dream and reflect, so perhaps one morning…

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

    A beautiful and very romantic story, Julie, of hope, longing and dreams come true. There is a touch of HC Andersen in it, and a wonderful sequence of flowers parading by as the story develops. I loved it that the mix of pain and fear leads to optimistic action and hope. The last line is great, with her lie and his pretense. I wonder if the title is inspired from its French… Read more »

    David Drew
    David Drew(@david-drew)
    2 years ago

    An intriguing, atmospheric little story, Julie. Why was it that the fairy chose to become a (?) woman?

    David Drew
    David Drew(@david-drew)
    Reply to  Julie Harris
    2 years ago

    Oh, I see it now 🙂

    Carrie OLeary
    Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
    2 years ago

    I do believe in fairies, I do, I do. Your story pulled me right in Julie. I loved the idea and the romanticism of your story, of the fairy growing a little and appearing in different ways as the story progressed. I felt the pain of her loss at the end of the story too. Very nicely written.

    Eric Radcliffe
    Eric Radcliffe(@eric-radcliffe)
    2 years ago

    Hello once again Julie, a very different story this time from you, but still with the dash and hints of music. Of course Fairies love music, it is often reflected in their names.I noticed the movement from one month to another, as your fairy slowly grows and changes too. I understand also how we can carry some of our childhood dreams into adulthood, that way we can retain the inner child and… Read more »

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

    I strongly believe also in fairies until now. But like David, I was intrigued of why the fairies chooses to become a woman? Well done, Julie.

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    Reply to  Julie Harris
    2 years ago

    That was amazing. Love can conquer everything and can change impossible things to possible.

    Eric Radcliffe
    Eric Radcliffe(@eric-radcliffe)
    Reply to  Lotchie Carmelo
    2 years ago

    This is a retold story of what happened when my Mother and Father went on a coach trip some years back to the Isle of Man. On approaching a ”Fairy Bridge”, the driver tells everyone to say ”Hello Fairies”. All did, except one male, who laughed out loud saying ”Who believes in Fairies?”. Suddenly the coach gets a puncture ?. What do think Julie – Lotchie?

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

    Really, Eric? Maybe that’s what happens to people who don’t know how to respect other creatures. People are not the only ones living in the world.

    Carrie OLeary
    Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
    2 years ago

    Congratulations Julie, such a lovely story of self-sacrifice for the sake of love.

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

    Congratulations Julie.

    Emily O'Leary
    Emily O'Leary(@emily-oleary)
    2 years ago

    Congrats Julie! A lovely descriptive piece with a bittersweet ending!

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

    Well done, Julie! Just back from an early morning walk with my dog – still haven’t spotted the fairies here but I’m sure they are out celebrating with you 🙂 Congratulations!

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

    Congratulations on your runner-up place, Julie.

    Marianna Pieterse
    Marianna Pieterse(@marianna-pieterse)
    2 years ago

    Congratulations, Julie! This is a beautiful love story of sacrifice and endurance. The last line is a great ending to your story.

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

    Congratulations on your win, Julie.

    Heather Chrzanowski
    Heather Chrzanowski(@heather-chrzanowski)
    1 year ago

    This story was magical and lovely and a little heartbreaking all at the same time. What stunning imagery. Congratulations on your exceptional piece of work!

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