The Stories in this little book have been set down almost in the same
words in which they were told. How the telling of them came about is a
very simple matter. Having three children, each of whom loved a Fairy
Tale, it somehow became the fashion, on Sunday evenings, to tell them a
story.
On one occasion, when the youngest member was just about to be taken to
bed, his sister said; “None of the books about Fairies ever say a word
about Australia! Are there any Australian Fairies, Father?”
Somewhat hastily, perhaps, I answered: “Why, yes, of course! Whole
tribes of them!”
Instantly the order went forth: “Then you will please tell us about
them the very next time you tell us a story!”