I was taking a turn around the walled gardens this morning, the deciduous forest with its fresh spring leaves the perfect backdrop to the scene. It was early June and warm, despite the early hour.

As I passed a patch of peonies, in shades of palest pink with bright yellow stamens, dusky rose and blush red, I heard a loud and particularly angry buzzing. I turned towards it, observing a bumblebee, legs coated with a thick layer of pollen, staggering and stumbling across the surface of a pale pink petal as if overcome by the sweet nectar. It tumbled over the edge and plunked unceremoniously to the ground.

I stifled a laugh and was about to walk away when I was delayed by a gentle touch to my shoulder. I turned to find myself gazing, once more, into the mesmerising eyes of the Dryad who had become my friend in the past three weeks. I’m sure she’d bewitched me at our first meeting. Her name, as far as I can understand it – she doesn’t speak English – is ‘Oakryn’.

“Karl,” she said, rolling the ‘r’ in my name. She spoke with a soft burr, much like that of the Scots. “You,” she continued, pointing to her eyes and then to the bee who was now upside-down, buzzing feebly as it tried to right itself, “Stay.”

As I watched, a tiny humanoid type being with wings, very similar to those of the bee, and bright yellow hair, the precise shade as that of the peony’s stamen, stepped to the edge of the petal, gesticulating to the bee in much the same way as Oakryn does with me.

 “Oh, a pixie,” I breathed, my words barely above a whisper. The minuscule being poked his finger into the nectar and lapped it off with his tongue, smacking his lips in satisfaction. He pointed to the flower, then to himself, before pointing to the bee and waving it away, his meaning clear.

I dropped a kiss onto Oakryn’s nose, pulled out my notebook and wrote, ‘Pixies love nectar. They do not like to share!’

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    Voice-Team
    Voice-Team(@voice-team)
    Admin
    1 year ago

    A fun look into a fantasy world where pixies are surprisingly human. Beautiful description of a spring forest.

    Voice-Team
    Voice-Team(@voice-team)
    Admin
    Reply to  Carrie OLeary
    1 year ago

    Done. Great story by the way!

    Linda Rock
    Linda Rock(@linda-rock)
    1 year ago

    I love this world you take us into, Carrie. Full of mischief, magic and fun. Just what we need right now! And just like the sweet nectar… delicious.

    Fuji
    Fuji(@fuji)
    Reply to  Carrie OLeary
    1 year ago

    You totally did it justice! I laughed out loud when I got to the end of this playful, delightful story. The child in all of us thanks you!!

    Margarida Brei
    Margarida Brei(@margarida-brei)
    1 year ago

    Love your fantasy tale with dryads and pixies, Carrie. Is this story loosely based on folklore?

    Emily O'Leary
    Emily O'Leary(@emily-oleary)
    1 year ago

    I can’t wait for more of Karl Starwin’s observations, being a big fan of all manner of mystical beings!

    The light-heartedness and whimsy of this story is just what we all need!

    Marianna Pieterse
    Marianna Pieterse(@marianna-pieterse)
    1 year ago

    Carrie, it was so much fun reading this. I especially liked the ending and his conclusion that pixies don’t like to share! I can absolutely relate where it comes to certain confectioneries!  ? 

    Julie Harris
    Julie Harris(@julie-harris)
    1 year ago

    I loved this story, Carrie. It was so much fun to read! Thanks for the laugh of the day!

    Greene M Wills
    Greene M Wills(@greene-m-wills)
    1 year ago

    I am completely charmed and so thankful to be transported in your magic garden. We do forget magic on our day to day basis, don’t we? I am grateful for your reminder through your cute story!

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    1 year ago

    Hello, Carrie. Thank you for bringing me into this magical world of pixies and dryads. I am having so much fun like the other. Love it! Well done.

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    Reply to  Carrie OLeary
    1 year ago

    You don’t need to apologize, Carrie. That’s okay. And by the way, congratulations on your win. I am happy about your achievement.

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    Reply to  Carrie OLeary
    1 year ago

    You are always welcome.

    Sandra James
    Sandra James(@sandra-james)
    1 year ago

    I agree with everyone re how good it is to read a fun tale reminiscent of childhood favourites. A perfect antidote for all the gloom and doom in the world today. Great story!

    allinonefitness steven jenkins
    allinonefitness steven jenkins(@allinonefitness-steven-jenkins)
    1 year ago

    Another excellent story. Well done.

    Linda Rock
    Linda Rock(@linda-rock)
    1 year ago

    Congratulations on your win Carrie! Such a fun read that took us into a mystical world of pixies and dryads.

    Greene M Wills
    Greene M Wills(@greene-m-wills)
    1 year ago

    Congratulations, Carrie, well deserved!

    Allan Neil
    Allan Neil(@allan-neil)
    1 year ago

    Congratulations to Carrie on a well-deserved win and to all who got their great stories shortlisted.

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