In the days of long ago four fairies stood before the Sun. "You shall
be the Season Fairies," he said; for he was the King of the Year.
To the first he gave a robe of green and a silver wand. "Take these,"
he said, "and fly slowly up and down above the earth from pole to pole.
As you pass, each land shall clothe itself in green to match the colour
of your robe; as you wave your silver wand, all baby-things shall
spring from their winter cradles and begin to grow. Take with you
rousing winds and showers, to wake the babies from their sleep, and a
million warm and golden sunbeams in which to fold the tender growing
things when they have risen."
The Spring Fairy went forth in her robe of green, waving her silver
wand. As she flew from land to land the earth clothed itself in green
to match the colour of her robe, and all baby-things sprang from their
winter cradles and began to grow.
To the next fairy he gave a rosy robe and a wand wreathed in flowers.
"Take these," he said, "and follow Spring, for you are Summer. As you
pass from land to land the earth shall blossom out, and a million
million flowers shall shine above the green of Spring. The baby-things
shall grow to their full size and beauty, and shall proudly wave their
flowered heads. Take with you bright cloudless heat and long fine days
and soft night dews."
The Summer Fairy followed her sister Spring. As she went a million
million flowers blossomed out above the green, and the baby-things grew
up to their full size and beauty.
To the third fairy he gave a robe of red and a wand of gold. "Follow
Summer," he said, "for you are Autumn. As you pass from land to land
the blossoms of the earth shall change to fruit; the grown-up babies
shall make cradles for the babies of next year. Red and brown shall
turn the leaves, red and purple shall hang the berries, and as you wave
your wand the corn that covers half the land shall change to gold.
Take with you still hot days and little creeping evening winds."
The Autumn Fairy went forth in her crimson robe. As she passed the
blossoms changed to fruit, the grown-up things made cradles for the
babies of next year.
To the last fairy he gave a robe of white and a sparkling wand of
diamonds. "You are Winter," he said. "As you pass, you shall lull all
growing things to their season's sleep and rest, that they may wake
refreshed when Spring returns. Take with you rain and hail and ice and
frost, and the white snow-covering for the sleeping earth."
The Winter Fairy followed her sister Autumn up and down the earth from
pole to pole. As she went all growing things folded themselves away
for their season's rest.