Race to Fairyland

A Children’s Story by Georgina Robb

The race to fairyland is a race unlike any other in the world. All life that lives here looks forward to this wondrous event throughout the year. It happens towards the end of each year, and is a time of celebration of all life living and breathing within this magical world.

This year, the elders of the fairyland have chosen to invite two boys from outside of the fairyland to take part in the race. So far, very rarely have they let anyone from outside into the fairyland. Therefore, their secrets have been kept well within the realm. But on this year of celebration, the elders have decided to see how the two boys from outside would feel and get on together and everyone in fairyland. What would they make of this enchanting world?

So on this day William and Peter, two boys from outside, must learn about a world, so different from their own.

Both the boys are from different background. William has been given everything in life. He always wants more and more and never shares with others. Whereas, Peter is always happy with whatever he has, he is kind to everyone, and always shares whatever little or big he gets.

They have led two different lives, which one is the richer than other? In their own perspective, they are fine. However, in William’s mind he always is the best or on the right side of the picture.  Here in fairyland, all are considered equal. Their actions and behavior during the stay, and learning about all living and breathing souls will be watched by the elders.

Both the boys are shown around fairyland, meeting all the fairies and elves, who will also be part of the race too.

Peter, the more observant type, can't believe what he's seeing? Looking this way and that, curious about everything, sparkling and glowing all around him. He notices, everyone helps to clear the paths throughout the land and shares in all other chores. Peter mingles well with others, and starts to help out too.

William on the other hand doesn't really see a beauty within this magical world. He was never read aloud anything about this or any other magical world. His parents told him the fairylands or the magical worlds did not exist. They were all make-believe, and there were no such things as fairies and elves in any magical worlds. But we know better, they do exist, and live amongst us. William stands back. He doesn't want to help, but is made to help like others when one of the elders, hands him a broom to help out in clearing the paths and other chores.

Everyone works together here. Its worth the reward shared at the end. 

After William and Peter finish clearing the path, they are taken to change clothes and get ready to take part in the race.  Both the boys are taken to a house with two separate rooms, William in one and Peter in the other.

The boys are helped to change into their clothes. There are no mirrors in the rooms, so the boys can't see what they look like after the change into their new clothes.

Once they are dressed, one of the fairies goes over to a chest containing many secret things, one of which is a tin of sparkling fairy dust. She slowly opens the lid of the fairy dust, and takes a handful out, and slowly goes over to the two boys, and asks them to close their eyes. She gently blows the fairy dust over the two boys. Now the two boys are transformed for fairyland and ready in their new clothes. Both boys open their eyes and look at each other and laugh. Now the two boys are ready to take part in the race.

Meanwhile, outside everyone else handles and sets up the lanterns and lights, all around fairyland. Which are then ready for the effervescent fire flies, glow worms and beetles to take up their place as well to light up the way for the riders to see their way through the glowing path.

Every house and all the castles are lit up as far as the eyes can see, throughout the enchanted forests, over hills, bridges and streams. All are glowing like stars in the night, shimmering and glowing. William is amazed at the scenery and what is going around him. He stops and looks all around him, why did his parents led him to not believe in fairylands and magical world? Today is the day that has opened his eyes, to see the real meaning of a magical world of love and light.

Both William and Peter are taken up to the golden gates, ready for the race. Everyone is waiting and in anticipation for the elders to arrive. The unicorns and horses are getting ready to run, fly, and bouncing lightly with little musical steps.  They love this race too. The fairies and elves have to calm them down, and save their energy for the race.

William and Peter can't wait. 

Finally the elders arrive, to give their blessings, and thank them all for the hard work they've done throughout the year in fairyland. So many have worked so hard to grow all the bounty of fruits and harvests for everyone alike, and keep this world of imagination and magic safe from the outside world. 

The unicorns and horses cannot wait any longer. They are ready to run the race. The elders give a sign for everyone to line up at the golden gates. William and Peter, and all the other riders climb on board the horses and unicorns.

Slowly two of the elders, open the golden gates, so as not to create a stampede. Then another elder, sounds the golden horn.  To let everyone know below that the race is about to begin.

And off they fly slowly, gliding down through the clouds into the fairyland. Everyone cheers as the riders come gliding down onto the path below, like gliding down in a welcoming giant stadium full of cheering crowds.

The horses’ and the unicorns’ hooves are glistening with the fairy dust around them. Flower blossoms have covered the paths on which they run. These were been blown up into the air, as the riders flew past. Everyone is cheering and jumping up and down, as the riders go gliding and flying pass them.

William and Peter are waving back at all the people, who have gathered here lining the path from all around the fairyland. It's a day in their lives, they will never forget. Peter notices, and Williams too, that no one is trying to get ahead of others in the race with everyone enjoying it like a giant flying parade of fairies, elves, and everyone else too.

All the wings of everyone are shimmering glistening and glowing from the lanterns and lights, as all the riders go around the paths of the fairyland. This race in the fairyland is of the celebration of life, of all lives that live and breath within this enchanting magical world. Everyone has a place here to help and care for each other, and all that has born free remains free.

Guided by the elders, whose laws are set in stone from well before the time began, the world of fairyland is like no other of its kind. A world of magic and mystery, peaceful and serene, kept hidden well from man and his ways. Everyone lives together. Life is both beautiful and bountiful as it should be. Everyone is full of joy and life, always celebrating the coming of new life born into this world.

It was an enjoyable fun day. But there are the lessons, William and Peter, have learnt today. They came together, looked out for each other, forgot wherever they came from, and what they had or not.

Everyone works together, especially at and around harvesting time. It's the busiest time of all Season's.

That's what the race to fairyland is all about. A time of celebration, a time for all that lives in fairyland to come together and rejoice in a time of plenty. All souls remain free to run, not kept or used. 

Everyone is given an equal share from the harvest, to store over the coming winter months. All the fairies and elves, give William and Peter a basket each to take home with them, to say thank you, for understanding the meaning and wonder and most of all the magic that still exists here.

So when the moon is at its brightest in the autumn skies, and all the star's are shimmering, glistening, and glowing all around the night time like diamonds in the sky.  If you look and listen carefully, you might catch a glimpse or hear a sound of tiny voices, clattering of horses hooves, the fairies and elves all floating up and going through the clouds, glistening from the moonlight and mingling with the stars of the starry nights. Perhaps, one more race in the fairyland is going on up there. All you have to believe is in the fairyland and the magic it may create in your heart for the child in you and even for the children around you.  

Maybe you could be one of the many lucky ones, to be chosen by the elders, for the next race to the Fairyland.