Short Story - Visit to a Fairyland!

-Sudha Vijay

Anisha was a ten year old who was very fond of reading books, especially fantasies. She was fascinated by the world of fairies. Every night she would read a fairy tale or insist granny to tell her a fairy tale.

She asked her friends, “Have you ever seen a fairy?” “No we haven’t”, they replied amused. Anisha’s friend Ankit said, “I am happy living on earth enjoying the warmth and love of my near and dear. I would suggest that you too change your mind in case you have any plan to visit a fairy in a mysterious land because there is no truth in it.”

Anisha said, “I would someday make a visit to the land of fairies; and then you all would be jealous of me.” “Ok. Enough. Now let’s play” Nikita inter- vened. The friends were soon engrossed in their play, completely forgetting the fairies and their land.

One full moon night Anisha was listening to a story by her granny when she suddenly interrupted and asked “Granny, when do fairies come to earth?”

Granny replied, “They come at night without the knowledge of humans. Now, it’s time you sleep. You have school tomorrow. Good night dear” said granny as she kissed Anisha’s forehead. But sleep seemed to evade Anisha as she pondered over at what her granny had just said. The clock struck twelve. She looked out of the window. “Oh, the beautiful moon!”, she mused to herself. Suddenly, Anisha noticed a figure descending down from the moon. It moved towards Anisha and in a split second came very close to her, filling the room with white light.

“Oh, how bright! Am totally blinded” murmured Anisha. As she rubbed her eyes to look at the figure she got a jolt of life, “My God! Am I dreaming? Here is a beautiful fairy with a magic wand, majestic wings and glittering dresses.”

“Yes dear. I have come to take to you to our land.”, the fairy said. Anisha happily followed the fairy. The fairy waved her magical wand with one hand and with the other, held Anisha. They started ascending and Anisha looked with awe as she went higher and higher. The earth looked like a tiny ball. Finally they reached a golden gate.

Two fairies with red gowns and wings welcomed them with scented water and flowers. The fairyland was beautiful. There were beautiful gardens, juicy fruits and colourful, fragrant flowers. Many swings too dotted the gardens. Anisha ran from one swing to another. She ate apples from one tree and mangoes from another. “It tastes divine,” she said licking her lips.

There was a room filled with wonderful dresses and jewellery. Anisha eagerly tried one. “Now you look a real fairy like us”, said a fairy placing a crown on Anisha’s head.

“Oh, really? I am so happy. My wish has been fulfilled. I would tell my friends about the real fairyland when I go back.” Anisha was ecstatic.

“But you won’t be going anywhere”, said the fairies smiling, “You know dear, many girls wished to come here but we selected you. Now you would stay with us forever.”

“Can’t I meet my parents, friends and granny?”asked Anisha.

“No, dear,” the fairies replied.

The fairies then asked Anisha to take rest in a cozy bed. But Anisha couldn’t sleep.  She remembered her parents, granny and friends. “Oh, I can’t live without them. The whole splendour of this fairyland is worthless without the love of my family and friends,” said Anisha. She was on the verge of crying.

“But you can have magical powers, glittering dresses and much more to enjoy. We will also play with you,” said the white fairy comforting her. Anisha started crying, “No, I don’t want to stay here any longer. I want to go back to my place on the earth. I can create magic with my hard work.” The white fairy smiled and said, “Fine, dear. Don’t cry. We will definitely take you back. We were just testing your love for the earth”.

The white fairy said, “You can make the earth also a fairyland by planting trees, keeping it neat, illuminating it by kindness, tolerance and compassion spread all over”. Anisha replied, “Yes, you are right. I promise I will do my best”. Then the fairy that took her to the fairyland left Anisha safely back at her house. When Anisha opened her eyes, she found her family gazing at her. “Hurry up! It’s time for school, “said her mother. She stammered, “Actually I had been to a fairyland.”

Everyone laughed and told her that it was a nice dream that she had had. Even her friends didn’t believe her. However, Anisha was happy to be back in the endearing embrace of her family. Soon everyone was surprised to see a new Anisha, planting trees, keeping her things neat and being kind and compassionate to everyone around.

Anisha looked up at the sky and saw the moon. A smile lit her face as she said, “Thank you for showing me your land. It is beautiful but my earth is even more beautiful”!