"Oh, your Majesty," said Lulu, "have you ever really seen a Fairy?" "Have I?" said the King. "Thousands of them. We get all our gold from them--when their pretty Queen, Zulena, is good enough to grant our wishes. Fairies! Why, they are as common as leaves upon the trees. Are there none in your country, my Princess?" "None," said Lulu, "only I have always so much wished to see just one Fairy." "If that is all you wish," said the King of Gee-Whiz, "there will not be the least trouble about it. We got this Enchanted Banjo from the Fairies, and I am sure it will be obliging enough to tell you about so common a place as Fairy-land. Won't you, Banjo?" The Banjo nodded its head, and presently began to play. FAIRY-LAND AFAR I know where is Fairy-land, Little one with wond'ring eyes. Often, often, do you stand Gazing where the hills arise, Dreaming of the land that lies Somewhere, where the fairies are Past the ending of the skies-- Fairy-land afar. I have seen it, and I know How we journey to that land; Nodding poppies flash and glow Down the path on either hand; Jewel spray on silver sand Brings the snow-white Fairy-boats; Each, by elves and brownies manned, As a lily floats. Ho, sometimes you hear the bells That the dancing Fairies wear! Oft at night their music swells Far and faintly on the air, And sometimes the breezes bear Calls blown on a Fairy-horn; You have heard them, here and there, In the summer morn. Here's the secret: You must look For the path with drowsy eyes: Twixt the covers of a book Half the wondrous secret lies. Then if you are good and wise, In a twinkling there you are-- Past the ending of the skies, Fairy-land afar. "The Banjo knows more about the Fairies than any one," said the Private Secretary. "It can tell you how they employ themselves all these long summer days." And thereupon the Banjo began: WHAT THE FAIRIES DO Oh, do not think the Fairies can be idle all the while, That they have nothing much to do but sit and sing and smile; Each has a task he must perform--he must be smart and good And do his work as carefully as real-sure people should. Some Fairies have to hurry forth and waken all the leaves And bid them come and dress the trees in dainty styles and weaves; Some Fairies have to go with paint and some with rich perfume, And tint and scent the flowers when they open into bloom. The Jack-o'-lantern Fairies have to dance above the bogs To make a light for all the concerts given by the frogs; And others whisper to the bees and tell them where to look For honey in a clover bloom that hides beside the brook.