Reader Ruadhan writes about the magic of make believe…
Ruadhan says:
I have always had a special place in my heart for fairies… or, more accurately, fayes and faeries. I've been teased countless times, but I let it go - not even the harshest nickname can make me change. I am not a big fan of films that portray faeries - they're ridiculous compared to the real legends. I read about faeries all the time and have two folders stuffed with stories and poems. My wall is covered with drawings of faeries and a map pointing out where certain types might live. I know I will probably never see a faerie, but every night I open my window and look out at the stars, dreaming of faeries flying through the clouds, making the weather hot or cold. When I go for a walk in the forest or to the beach, I sing old songs, sometimes in Gaelic, hoping that I might catch a glimpse of a faerie behind a branch or perched on a rock. Well, you never know!
I suppose the interest started when I was about seven. I'd been given a Flower Fairies book of poems from my gran… I read it and began to think of other kinds of faeries too. What if there were millions of them out there? I started a project to find out as much as I could. I studied fairy beliefs from medieval times and Mum let me borrow her book on Celtic myths. I began to look into Irish legends. My favourite story was about a faerie who became so overcome with greed that she transformed into a sea dwelling dragon who made the sea impossibly hot with her breath and destroyed anyone who tried to steal her treasure. They're great stories, and I love the way they interlink with history and legend.
After more study, even I found a story about faeries who transformed into the souls of newborn babies. I quite like that idea. Perhaps that's why I believe - I have allowed the faerie inside me to believe! I think that every child starts out believing, but as they get older it is up to them whether they allow the faerie inside them to stay alive. When people tell me I am silly and childish and that faeries don't exist, I simply shrug and feel sorry for them, because they don't understand and perhaps they have let something beautiful die inside them. I don't care what anyone says, I won't stop dreaming!
Illustrations: from The Complete Book of the Flower Fairies by Cecily Mary Barker
Cathy says:
Like Ruadhan, I think there is a lot more to the fairy myths and legends than a few Disney films… the real magic is definitely still out there! Do YOU believe in anything that others laugh at? COMMENT BELOW to tell us more!
Ruadhan says:
I have always had a special place in my heart for fairies… or, more accurately, fayes and faeries. I've been teased countless times, but I let it go - not even the harshest nickname can make me change. I am not a big fan of films that portray faeries - they're ridiculous compared to the real legends. I read about faeries all the time and have two folders stuffed with stories and poems. My wall is covered with drawings of faeries and a map pointing out where certain types might live. I know I will probably never see a faerie, but every night I open my window and look out at the stars, dreaming of faeries flying through the clouds, making the weather hot or cold. When I go for a walk in the forest or to the beach, I sing old songs, sometimes in Gaelic, hoping that I might catch a glimpse of a faerie behind a branch or perched on a rock. Well, you never know!
Illustrations: from The Complete Book of the Flower Fairies by Cecily Mary Barker
Cathy says:
Like Ruadhan, I think there is a lot more to the fairy myths and legends than a few Disney films… the real magic is definitely still out there! Do YOU believe in anything that others laugh at? COMMENT BELOW to tell us more!
when I was little, I was absolutely fairy mad - seriously, as mad as you can get about them. I left notes for the tooth fairy, watched every tinker bell movie and bought tinker bell nintendo ds games, I always wanted to be a fairy or angel in school plays and nativities. I know there is no tooth fairy, at least the real one doesn't come to me,but I can't stop believing in fairies. because once when my sister lost her tooth, she showed me traces of gold glitter on her window sill that hadn't been there the night before. I know there is no tooth fairy, but I still believe in fairies. because once when my brother was a year and a half and he said he saw a tiny girl with wings, when he woke up in the middle of the night. I get endless teasing at school. I don't care, because I think that peter pan is right - you say you don't believe, your fairy drops dead there and then. that would be awful. I love drawings of elegant fairies, magical, pretty girls who float around in petal and leaf dresses with flower crowns and bees buzzing around them. some believe in long gone spirits, I believe in magic and fairies and God.
ReplyDeleteThat is a lovely story :)
DeleteI'm not sure I believe in faeries - I'm very much a 'see it to believe it' person - but I read a book called Tithe by Holly Black when I was 13 and I was riveted by the descriptions of faeries in it. It was so different from the childlike tiny people prancing around the garden idea. It was closer to traditional ideas like faeries being unable to touch iron (hence why they call the human world Ironside) and being able to shapeshift - plus the point that faeries aren't always good. I mean, if someone has magical powers, why would they use them for good when evil is just as achievable? Just my view on the legend.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I think you mean 'What if there were millions of them out there?'. You said "is".
Ruadan- Please answer if you see this.
ReplyDeleteWould you mind me using this same post and copying it onto my own blog? I really like the post!
Sorry i didnt answer sooner. Thats fine by me! ☺
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