Verhovayak Lapja, 1943. július-december (26. évfolyam, 26-53. szám)
1943-09-30 / 40. szám
Fage 8 Verhovayak Lapja. September 30, 1943 riiildi*en9§ f| , ......... Conducted by AMELIA NYERS ELIZABETH “you will fly to a warmer “I really think it ought the forest glistened like climate when she tells you to be a pretty shade of diamonds. morning!ex“Good claimed Sun-Beam Fairy, one morning shortly after Elizabeth had been placed in the care of the Lady. The child opened wide her soft, brown eyes, and looked up wonderingly at the fairy. Her rosebud lips parted in a smile. “Good morning, darling!” the Lady said, coming into the room and seeing the child awake. She picked her up and held her close. “It is such a lovely morning. I think we ought to spend an hour or so outdoors after breakfast. Toady is the last day of summer, and some of the flowers are still in bloom. They are a lovely sight,” the Lady said. After Elizabeth had been fed, the Lady took her outdoors and placed her in the carriage,, near the pond. She covered her with the lovely quilt with the pale pink and blue ribbon bows the fairies had made. Then she took a seat near the child, and began to em broider a new dress she made for her. At sight of the child, the flowers opened wide their fragile, r a i n b o w-t i n ted petals. Zephyr came and carried their scent to enchant Elizabeth. A mis chievous, red-winged but terfly spread his wings, thin and light as gossamer, and danced in the air near the child. “Hello, Elizabeth!” Rain bow Fairy said, coming forward. Elizabeth smiled at her, and her face grew more beautiful by the light within her eyes. The birds’ orchestra could be heard in the emerald forest, where the trees stood straight as court ladies, their green dress shimmering in the bright sun. Above, the sky was clear, and blue as the Summer Fairy's lovely gown, with an occasional white puff-cloud drifting over the horizon. The wind whispered softly among the leaves of the trees; and Elizabeth listened closely, for she understood the language of the breeze. “It is time for Summer Fairy to leave the earth,” Zephyr said. While he spoke, she came gracefully through the woods, her long, full, blue skirt trailed on the soft, green velvet carpet of the forest. As she drew near, the flowers gave out their most exquisite perfumes. When she passed by, her delicately-molded fingers gently caressed the lace petals. Soon I must leave the earth,” she said, with a soft sigh. “And when the Autumn Fairy has passed over the earth, you will sleep long through the winter months, until you waken in the spring.” “Our winter dreams will be filled with visions of Elizabeth,” the trees said. ‘But—we won’t see Elizabeth at all when we are asleep,” sighed the stately hollyhocks. “True, you will not see Elizabeth during the winter months,” Summer Fairy said. “But when you wake from slumber next spring, you will see Elizabeth again. By then she will have grown, and she will walk through the garden, among the flowers. And when she speaks, her baby words will be sweet to hear.” “I will teach her to love all nature — so that she will take care of the flowers in the garden, and will look after the helpless little animals of the forest,” Eros said. “Often, when the boys of the village come to the forest, they are unkind. The squirrels seek shelter among the branches of my trees,’ Tree Spirit said. “Sometimes, the boys are mischievous, and take away the nuts the squirrels store for the* winter months,” Earth Spirit said. “When Elizabeth has learned to walk through the forest, the boys will no longer steal the nuts. She will teach them not to harm the animals,” Forest Fairy said. Summer Fairy smiled, while she listened to their conversation. “It is not yet time to think of the winter, or of next spring,” she said. “Tomorrow, Autumn Fairy arrives, and we must prepare for her coming. Please obey her in all matters concerning your future welfare, for she is kind, and has your best interests at heart. Songbirds,” she addressed the birds gathered around her, to, so you will survive through the winter and return in the spring. And you, lovely flowers, must go to sleep when she commands.” “But — winter is such a long time to be asleep!” the flowers protested. “Not long, when you realize that sleep in necessary in order to waken fresh and bright next spring,” Summer Fairy said. “The trees will shed their leaves ...” “Oh!” interrupted Tree Spirit. “Must I disrobe the courtly ladies . of the forest?” Summer Fairy smiled graciously, and said: “The sleet — a mixture of snow and drizzling rain that freezes as it falls, would spoil their gown. Next spring they will be provided with a new dress — more ceautiful than the one they now wear.” “There is so little of summer left — let us make the most of it,” suggested Air Spirit Let’s have a party for Elizabeth!” said Rainbow Fairy. Good!” exclaimed Earth Spirit. “Perhaps the Wood Nymphs will return.” All the fairies and spirits came together in the garden, and stood in a circle around the child. She welcomed them with a sweet smile. The fairies danced gracefully to the music of the song-birds. Zephyr sang musically, dancing with the hollyhocks. They swayed rhythmically in the breeze. The asters that bordered the pond danced gaily on their stemps, their reflection cast into the watermirror. The gold and silver fish in the pond -swam to and for, keeping time with the music. The Lady could not see or hear the fairies dance and sing. She heard the soft singing of the breeze and began to hum a lullaby. Elizabeth enjoyed the party the fairies held in her honor. She also liked the soft singing of the Lady, and looked at her with love in her soft eyes The dancing of the fairies ceased. “Let us decide what color Elizabeth’s hair will be!” suggested Sun-Beam Fairy. pink,” Rainbow Fairy said. “Silver would be a lovely color,” Dew-Drop Fairy suggested. “Blue — a blue as clear and bright as the summer sky,” came from Air Spirit. Violet!” exclaimed Forest Fairy. “No!” Sun-Beam Fairy cried. “Not those colors! We must select a color that will suit Elizabeth’s personality.” “Gold would be the correct color,” Moon-Beam Fairy said. “I don’t think so,” Sun Beam Fairy said to her. “What color do you think would suit her personality best?” asked Eros ‘The color is... ” Sun Beam Fairy began; but before she had the oppor tunity ti finish her sentence, the Rain-Maker came and placed heavy clouds in the sky over the forest. v “The rain will send Elizabeth and the Lady into the house!” cried Air Spirit, alarmed Forest Fairy hastened to the woods and held the clouds over the tree-tops, to keep them from coming over the garden. Rain Fairy shook them gently, and the rain-drops began to fall. “Perhaps we ought to go indoors,” the Lady said to Elizabeth. “It may rain here, too, for the clouds are heavy in the sky.” “We mustn’t let the rain spoil Elizabeth’s party!” cried Dew-Drop Fairy. Sun-Beam Fairy came to their aid and placed the lovely rainbow in the sky. Rainbow Fairy arched it prettily, bringing the ends down to earth. “See the pretty rainbow in the sky!” said the Lady, laying aside her embroidery and picking up the child. Elizabeth was pleased with the arch of light, showing beautiful colors, due to the reflection of light in the drops of water falling through the air Some of the fairies danced on the rainbow. The rain ceased suddenly, and the rainbow vanished, leaving the sky a clear, bright blue. The sun shone brightly. The flowers raised their petalfaces eagerly toward the bright ball of fire. The rain-drops on the trees in The Lady placed Elizabeth in the carriage and made her comfortable. “I’m afraid the Wood Nymphs will not come back today,”Air Spirit said. “They wouldhave made Elizabeth’s party perfect,” Rainbow Fairysaid. “I miss the sprites,” Tree Spirit said.“Their presence madethe woods more lovely.” “I keep thegrass fresh and green where they used to dance,” Forest Fairy said. “And I’ve covered the trees with new moss.” “One of these days the Nymphs will return,” Summer Fairy said. “We are neglecting Elizabeth,” Rain Fairy said, when she and Forest Fairy came back into the garden. They gathered round the child. “We haven't decided on the color of her hair,” Earth Spirit said. “A bright yellow ...” began Tree Spirit. “No!” interrupted Dew- Drop Fairy. “Let us hear what color Sun-Beam Fairy says would match her personality.” “The color is ... ” began Sun-Beam Fairy, when she was interrupted by a yawn. They all looked in the direction of the sound, and saw Elizabeth’s bright eyes grow drowsy. She closed them and went fast asleep! “Well!” exclaimed the surprised fairies. “Ourconversation was rather dull,” said the spirits. “Weshould have been carefulnot to bore her,” Moon-Beam Fairy said. “She must spend much time in Baby-Land for a while yet,” Eros told them. “How beautiful she is!” exclaimed Earth Spirit. Summer Fairy came forward. “It is time to say ‘goodby’ to Elizabeth,” she said, softly; and bent down to kiss the sleeping child. “Farewell, dear friends,” she said to the fairies and spirits arouid her. “Obey the Autumn Fairy, and next summer we will meet again.” “Good-by, dear Summer Fairy!” they answered. “We will look forward with much pleasure to our meeting next year.”
