Among the pines with green souls, a lovely fairy was singing and dreaming. Perched on the edge of a pool of clear water, she combed her long, black hair with a silver and jade comb.
The laughter of the fairies tinkle like crystal bells.
The laugther of elves like bronze bells.
The laugther of the gnomes like silver bells.
And the other mischievous beings, smaller still, like bells of clay.
Anali, is the name of our fairy.
She lives in a forest near
Pensative, she has placed a rosebud in her freshly combed hair.
I would say she has a secret. A secret desire.
This very night she will share it with her forest friends. The truth is, three days ago:
Anali followed a path in the woods. Walking, thinking, so absorbed in her thoughts she did not notice that the trees were no more.
The forest had ended. When she looked up she could distinguish a valley, far away, with odd -shaped pink mountains, and little white houses with red roofs.
The homes of the human beings!
A healthy curiousity prompted her to go on the village. To not be seen, she turned invisible.
She arrived at a cottage on a cobblestoned street. A melodious voice was singing a lullaby:
Sweet balm of silver, tower of ivory,
lullaby my baby, who is going to sleep.
The door was slightly open. Anali peeked through and then entered.
A sweet, dark woman sang. She rocked a wooden cradle hung from the ceiling. In the crib, a beautiful baby, a human baby, wiggled its fingers, gurgled and smiled.
She was lost in contemplation. It was the first time she saw a real baby. What a beautiful child!
Fairies have no fathers, no mothers, and no children.
Anali had a strange desire:
How I should love to have a baby like this one. I would cradle him, care for him, take him to the forest, teach him to distinguish the plants, love and care for them and how to protect the little animals.
Anali knelt beside the baby until he fell asleep. She kissed his little hand and bid him farewell.the sun was sinking.
She had to make haste or lose her way in the forest. Her thoughts were with the baby but she had to reach the woods before night fell.
This was her secret. Her grand secret!
Time passed. It was midnight. Tired of playing and working, the fairies, elves, gnomes and drawfs were seated in circle.
During the nights of the full moon they gathered to relate their experiences, tell stories and share the latest events.
It was Analis turn. With enthusiasm she told of her encounter with the human being. When she finished, she whispered:
Anali: I should love to have a real baby.
Do you think it is possible? Can you help me?
Ist. Dwarf: What you desire, dear Fairy, is almost impossible.
Anali: But why?
Ist. Dwarf: Because, in spite of all our powers we cannot grant you a child.
Anali: Then what good are powers? I only ask for a child.
Gnome: A child is the essence of all the Kingdoms on this planet. In his heart he carries the love of all the suns.
Anali: What do you have to say, Dwarf of the East?
Dwarf of the East: I say a child is a miracle but not of the sort that we can realize. Love lies beyond the stars and there you must go if you are to find it.
Gnome 2: Life for the humans is as hard as stone. Only whit suffering do they manage to polish it to diamod brightness.
Anali: I am not afraid to suffer.
Gnome 2: Humans do not like to work. They like to lie and imagine things.
Anali: Are not some human beings good?
Fairy: Some are. And when they love, it reaches beyond the angels to the very center of the universe.
Anali: Then, it is worth the trouble to try!
Gnome: Think what you are saying! You will renounce your powers.
You could never reveal your identity!
Anali: if it is necessary to renounce. I renounce! In this very instant I leave behind all magic powers. I wish for nothing except that wich may be had.
Dwarf 3: Ah, my fairy. This is no easy task. To invite a child to earth you must first have the love of a companion.
Anali: If my companion must be human and he is a child who has grown, I see no problem. I will love and marry him.
The flowers, the dwarfs, the faires and all the forest animals maintained silence. Then they formed a circle and chanted:
Anali wants to enter
the world of love
Renouncing her powers.
She seeks blessings from above,
Elves to work.
Gnomes to dig.
Fairies to brighten.
Birds to sing.
A little child, a lullaby.
Treasure enoug, to bid goodbye.
Anali, may your happiness be.
Fulfilled in the world of poetry.
Seven moons passed. Anali was transformed into a lovely woman.
Bencath the seventh moon she was anointed with dewdrops and honey. She was beautiful. Oh, how beautiful was Anali!
The little people scurried to build a sweet -scented pine cabin in the heart of the woods. Bugambilias were planted along with fruit trees. Rabbits made their homes close -by. Frogs and multi -colored fish came to inhabit the crystal waters of the pool. A horse -shoe garden filled with bright flowers bordered Analis new home.
There was so much to learn in such a short time!
Fairy friends taught her to sew, cook and to sing all the lullabys.
One day, a handsome woodcutter from the Northern Woods, spied the cabin.
Who could be living here? He walked slowly, puzzled. Reaching the door he knocked timidly.
When Anali answered he was astonished by her beauty. This charming. Smiling creature with her long, orange -flowered skirt seemed to be about eighteen years old.
Do you live here? I have never seen you before.
Yes, I take care of this beautiful forest: the trees, the flowers and the animals. I am in good company surrounded, by these little friends.
I am the guardian of the Northern Woods and I consider all the plants and animals to be my friends, too. This Sunday there will be a celebration in the village.
A celebration in the village?
Yes, it is time to give thanks to the heavens and the earth for a rich harvest. Would you care to go? I can come by early on Sunday?
Anali was so contented. She wore a pink drees and her black hair was braided and adorned with ribbons.
When Jose arrived they drove to the village in his gayly decorated ox drawn cart. Everyone was in festive dress.
The tables groaned with food. There was much laugther and fireworks.They had a wonderful day. It was dusk when they returned, hand in hand, to the forest.
Jose broke the silence.
Anali, would you like to live in the village? I could build you a small cottage if you would consent to share my poor life and live from what the good earth gives us. It is not fit that you live alone.
I am not alone, Jose. I am happy surrounded by my forest friends.
I forgot how much you love your forest. Maybe your little friends will accept me. Anali, I am asking you to marry me.
Excitement invaded the woods. The laughter of crystal bells, of silver bells, bronze and clay bells were heard. The happiness of all the fairies, dwarfs, elves, gnomes and imps filled the air.
The vegetable and animal worlds, all the creatures that swim, fly, walk and crawl, vibrated with emotion.
Anali had found her companion.
Anali had found her true love.
Jose and Anali were married. Together they faced their destiny.
Jose never knew that Anali was a fairy.
A lovely fairy who had renounced her magic powers, her green paradise, for the chance to find true love and cradle a human baby in her arms.
Now, in the forest of tall perfumed-scented pine trees, the wind carries this tender song:
Run little lamb, Run to Belen
To see Maria, and her precious son.
Sweet Balm of Silver,
Lullaby my baby, who is going to sleep.
