By Andrew Lang
by Andrew Lang · from The Gold Of Fairnilee
Adapted Version
Hello, dear friend! I have a story for you.
I am Andrew. I write this letter for you. You are far away. I made a special story for you. It is a story about treasure. It is a story about fairies. It is a fun adventure. It is a story just for you. I hope you like it. It is a very good story.
As a boy, I dug for treasure. My father dug with me. We dug in our garden. We dug on a special hill. We used our small knives. We dug and dug. We looked and looked. We did not find any treasure. Not one piece. We were sad. But we had fun.
This story tells you why. It has a secret. The secret is about the treasure. You will like the secret. It is a good secret. It is a happy secret. The story will show you.
Do you have fairies where you live? I hope you do. Fairies are magical friends. They live in special places. They live in gardens. They live in forests. They live in flowers. Do you see them? I think you might. Look for them. They are shy. They are very small. They are very kind.
Now, I say goodbye. My story is waiting for you. It has many parts. It has four parts. The Treasure Hunt, Fairy Secret, Magic Hill, Golden Surprise.
Let's read and find the treasure's secret!
Original Story
By Andrew Lang
TO JEANIE LANG, LARRA
Dear Jeanie,
For you, far away on the other side of the world, I made this little tale of our own country. Your father and I have dug for treasure in the Camp of Rink, with our knives, when we were boys. We did not find it: the story will tell you why.
Are there Fairies as well as Bunyips in Australia? I hope so.
Yours always,
WHUPPITY STOORIE’S SONG IN THIS TALE
IS BY THE AUTHOR’S FRIEND, F. De Q. M.
CONTENTS
Illustrations
THE GOLD OF FAIRNILEE
Story DNA
Plot Summary
Andrew Lang writes a personal letter to his young relative, Jeanie, introducing his story 'The Gold of Fairnilee'. He shares a childhood memory of unsuccessfully digging for treasure in Scotland and promises that the upcoming tale will explain why. He playfully asks about fairies in Australia, where Jeanie lives, before presenting the full table of contents for the story, setting the stage for a magical adventure rooted in Scottish folklore.
Themes
Emotional Arc
curiosity to discovery
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Andrew Lang was a prominent Scottish poet, novelist, literary critic, and folklorist, known for his collections of fairy tales. This introduction sets a personal, nostalgic tone for a story rooted in Scottish folklore and landscape.
Plot Beats (6)
- The author, Andrew Lang, writes a letter to his relative, Jeanie Lang, who is far away in Australia.
- He introduces the tale 'The Gold of Fairnilee' as a story from their own country.
- He shares a personal anecdote about digging for treasure in the Camp of Rink with his father when they were boys, but not finding it.
- He states that the story will explain why they didn't find the treasure.
- He playfully asks if Australia has fairies like Scotland has, hoping it does.
- He signs off the letter, then presents the table of contents for 'The Gold of Fairnilee', listing chapters and illustrations.
Characters
Randal
A sturdy Scottish boy, likely with a fair complexion, rosy cheeks from outdoor play, and a lean, active build typical of a child growing up in the Borders countryside. He is of average height for his age.
Attire: Typical Scottish Borders attire for a boy of his station in the 17th or 18th century. He would wear a simple tunic or doublet made of coarse wool or linen, likely in muted earth tones like grey, brown, or forest green. Breeches or trews of similar material, and sturdy leather shoes or brogues. When outdoors, he might wear a simple wool cloak for warmth.
Wants: To explore, to protect his family and friends, and later, to find the gold of Fairnilee to save his home.
Flaw: His youthful impulsiveness and susceptibility to the allure of fairyland, which leads him away from his home and into danger.
Transforms from an innocent, adventurous boy into a more mature and determined young man who understands the value of his home and the dangers of the supernatural, ultimately returning from fairyland to save his estate.
Curious, brave, imaginative, loyal, and somewhat mischievous. He is deeply attached to his home and friends.
Jean
A young Scottish girl, slightly younger than Randal, with a delicate but resilient build. She is likely fair-skinned, as is common in the Scottish Borders, and of a slender stature.
Attire: Simple, practical Scottish peasant attire of the 17th or 18th century. She would wear a long, modest gown or kirtle made of homespun linen or wool, likely in muted colors like grey, brown, or undyed cream. A plain apron over her dress, and sturdy leather shoes or clogs. Her clothing would be clean but well-worn.
Wants: To be a good companion to Randal, to understand the mysteries around them, and to support Randal in his quest.
Flaw: Her quiet nature can sometimes make her seem less assertive, and she is deeply affected by Randal's disappearance.
Develops from a quiet, somewhat dependent companion into a strong, supportive young woman who remains steadfast through Randal's absence and helps him upon his return.
Kind, gentle, observant, loyal, and patient. She is more cautious than Randal but equally brave when necessary.
Whuppity Stoorie
A small, wizened, and ancient fairy, likely with a hunched back and gnarled hands. Her size is diminutive, suggesting she is no taller than a child, but her features are those of a very old woman.
Attire: Rustic and ancient fairy attire, made of natural elements. She might wear a dress or cloak woven from dried leaves, moss, or rough, undyed wool, in shades of brown, green, or grey. Perhaps adorned with small berries or twigs. Her clothing would appear old and worn, reflecting her age and connection to the wild.
Wants: To gain power or amusement through trickery and bargains, specifically to claim Randal as her own or to keep him in fairyland.
Flaw: Her pride in her name and her love of riddles, which ultimately leads to her defeat when her name is discovered.
Remains largely unchanged, serving as a static antagonist whose nature is to trick and challenge. Her role is to test Randal's wit and determination.
Mischievous, cunning, demanding, and somewhat malicious. She enjoys riddles and bargains, and takes pleasure in tricking humans.
The Laird of Fairnilee (Randal's Father)
A strong, seafaring Scottish gentleman, likely with a weathered face from his time at sea. He would have a robust build, typical of a man accustomed to physical labor and the harshness of the sea.
Attire: Initially, the practical, sturdy clothing of a sailor or merchant captain: dark wool trousers, a thick linen shirt, and a heavy wool coat or doublet. Upon his return, he would likely adopt the more refined but still practical attire of a Scottish laird: a wool doublet, breeches, and a cloak, in rich but subdued colors like deep blue, forest green, or brown, perhaps with some tartan elements if appropriate for his clan.
Wants: To return home to his family and reclaim his estate, and to ensure the future of Fairnilee.
Flaw: His prolonged absence due to his capture and enslavement, which leaves his family vulnerable.
Returns from a long and arduous captivity, bringing stability and hope back to Fairnilee, and eventually helps secure the family's future.
Brave, determined, honorable, and deeply devoted to his family and estate. He is a man of action and responsibility.
Locations
Fairnilee House
An old Scottish Border peel tower, likely built of rough-hewn grey stone, with thick walls and small windows, perhaps a defensive barmkin wall surrounding it. Inside, there would be a great hall with a large stone hearth, timber beams, and simple, sturdy furniture.
Mood: Initially warm and homely, later becomes desolate and cold during hard times, then restored to warmth.
Randal's home, where he grows up, where Jean is brought, and where the family endures hardship.
The Wishing Well
A natural spring or well, likely stone-lined, situated in a secluded, ancient-looking part of the Scottish Border landscape. It would be surrounded by old trees, perhaps gnarled oaks or hawthorns, with mossy stones and wild ferns around its base. The water would be clear and cold.
Mood: Magical, mysterious, and slightly eerie due to its association with the Good Folk.
Where Randal encounters the Good Folk and is taken into Fairyland.
The Camp of Rink / Catrail
An ancient, overgrown earthwork or hillfort, characteristic of the Scottish Borders. It would consist of defensive ditches and ramparts, now softened by centuries of erosion and covered in heather, gorse, and rough grasses. The ground would be uneven, possibly with exposed rocks. The Catrail is a linear earthwork, a long ditch and bank, running through the landscape.
Mood: Wild, ancient, desolate, and historically significant, with a hint of hidden secrets.
The location where the treasure is hidden and eventually found, a place of historical significance.