All were quite delighted with the wisdom shown by their tiny sovereign
in dispensing justice. But before other important matters could be
disposed of a fairy messenger named Pink with her petalled attire all
flecked with dust dashed in great excitement into the throne-room. She
had ridden many leagues upon a winged steed, and in its terrific speed
which was far greater than that of the swiftest aeroplane it had used
both wings and feet.
Pink ran toward the throne to impart the news that had brought her in
such hot haste, but the unexpected sight of Queen Titania stilled the
words upon her frightened lips, and caused them to part instead with
wonder and surprise.
"This is Queen Titania," hastily explained Dame Drusilda, "who
henceforth is to reign over us."
Pink knelt low before Titania and kissed her royal robe.
"Your Majesty," she said, "I am the bearer of bad news. Dragonfel the
wicked enchanter across the sea has declared his intention of making
trouble for the fairies."
"Who told you this?" asked Queen Titania.
"A little bird," was Pink's reply.
[Illustration]
"This is very serious," said Queen Titania gravely, "for little birds
never tell fibs." There was a clamor of dismayed, excited voices, but
the queen raised her wand for silence, and continued:
"Though it may only be an idle threat, I will still appeal to
Euphrosyne. Should we ever need her help right gladly she will give it."
Her hearers all looked puzzled, and Dame Drusilda made bold to ask: "Who
is Euphrosyne of whom you speak?" "Have you not heard of her?" Queen
Titania asked, with much surprise. "She is the Goddess of Mirth, who
tries to make the whole world happy--a most gigantic task. Come with me,
and I will send her an invisible summons." With the Cupids bearing her
train she passed with the fairies out to the palace courtyard where
fountains played and flowers bloomed. There she raised her wand, and
told them to look up. And doing so they beheld a most marvelous sight--a
radiant, smiling-faced, gloriously beautiful young woman in classical
white robes, with her sandalled feet resting ever so lightly upon one of
the pearl-tinged clouds.
[Illustration]
Around her circled snowy doves, cooing, fluttering, and settling on her
head, bare shoulders and arms.
While Titania waved her wand, she suddenly gazed downward, as though
something by means of an electric current had been transmitted to her
through the air. She stroked a dove that had found its way trustingly to
her hand, and as the others flew from her she herself seemed plumed for
flight.
The fairies watched her with a suspense that was almost painful, but to
their great disappointment the passing clouds blotted her from sight.
But even the fairies who all the time are witnessing the most wonderful
things were quite astounded when Euphrosyne in what seemed to be the
very next moment appeared with the dove right in their very midst.
[Illustration]
"What is your wish?" she said to Queen Titania.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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