FAIRY DAYS
by Burton Mrs. Harrison · from The Old-Fashioned Fairy Book
Adapted Version
I remember my nurse. She tells me stories. Good stories. I sit on her warm knee. The fire is bright. She tells me about princesses. She tells me about magic days. I love these good stories.
I sleep in my soft bed. The good stories come to me. I see fairy people. They fly in my dreams. They visit me at night. This is a happy, magic time.
I see a new baby. Fairies come to the small baby. They bring nice, shiny gifts. One fairy brings a jewel. One fairy brings a gold crown. An Old Fairy comes. She is old and wrinkled. She says a bad word.
The King laughs loud. He is not worried. He says, "Let us dance now!" Music starts to play. Everyone dances.
The baby grows up. She is a Princess now. She is very, very pretty. She rides in the green forest. A hawk sits on her hand.
An Ogre is in the dark forest. He sets a big trap. The Princess falls in it. She cries and cries. She is very sad. The Ogre laughs loud. He is a big, scary monster.
The Princess needs much help. A brave Prince comes. His armor shines bright. He is a good, brave knight.
The Prince sees the big Ogre. He shouts at the Ogre. The Princess is scared. The Ogre is scared too. The Prince is very strong.
The Prince has a sharp sword. He fights the big Ogre. The Ogre is very, very big. The Prince is very brave. He hits the Ogre. He hits him many times. He fights with strength.
The Ogre falls down. He falls like a big, old tree. The Prince wins the fight. The Ogre is gone now. The Princess is safe.
The Prince goes to the Princess. He kneels on the ground. He takes her soft hand. He says, "You are free now." The Princess is very happy. She smiles at him.
I wake up from my dream. The magic is gone now. I am not a princess. No prince comes for me. I miss the fairy tales. I wish they were real. I wish for magic.
I wish I was small again. I wish for my kind nurse. I wish for her soft knee. By the warm, red fire. And her good, magic stories.
Original Story
FAIRY DAYS.
Beside the old hall-fire—upon my nurse's knee,
Of happy fairy-days—what tales were told to me!
I thought the world was once—all peopled with princésses,
And my heart would beat to hear—their loves and their distresses;
And many a quiet night—in slumber sweet and deep,
The pretty fairy people—would visit me in sleep.
I saw them in my dreams—come flying east and west,
With wondrous fairy gifts—the new-born babe they bless'd;
One has brought a jewel—and one a crown of gold,
And one has brought a curse—but she is wrinkled and old.
The gentle queen turns pale—to hear those words of sin,
But the king he only laughs—and bids the dance begin.
The babe has grown to be—the fairest of the land,
And rides the forest green—a hawk upon her hand,
An ambling palfrey white—a golden robe and crown;
I've seen her in my dreams—riding up and down:
And heard the ogre laugh—as she fell into his snare,
At the little tender creature—who wept and tore her hair!
But ever when it seemed—her need was at the sorest,
A prince—in shining mail—comes prancing through the forest,
A waving ostrich-plume—a buckler burnished bright;
I've seen him in my dreams—good sooth! a gallant knight.
His lips are coral red—beneath a dark moustache;
See how he waves his hand—and how his blue eyes flash!
"Come forth, thou Paynim knight!"—he shouts in accents clear.
The giant and the maid—both tremble his voice to hear.
Saint Mary guard him well!—He draws his falchion keen,
The giant and the knight—are fighting on the green;
I see them in my dreams—his blade gives stroke on stroke,
The giant pants and reels—and tumbles like an oak!
With what a blushing grace—he falls upon his knee
And takes the lady's hand—and whispers, "You are free!"
Ah! happy childish tales—of knight and faërie!
I waken from my dreams—but there's ne'er a knight for me;
I waken from my dreams—and wish that I could be
A child by the old hall-fire—upon my nurse's knee!
W. M. Thackeray.
The Faithful Comrades.
Old-Fashioned Fairies.
Story DNA
Plot Summary
The narrator fondly recalls childhood fairy tales told by a nurse, where the world was full of princesses and magical beings. In a vivid dream, the narrator witnesses fairies blessing a newborn princess, one of whom delivers a curse. The princess grows up, is captured by an ogre, but is then dramatically rescued by a valiant prince who defeats the monster. Upon waking, the narrator feels a bittersweet longing for the magical simplicity of childhood and the absence of such heroic figures in their adult life, wishing to return to the comfort of their nurse's knee.
Themes
Emotional Arc
joy to longing
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Reflects a romanticized view of medieval European folklore, common in 19th-century English literature.
Plot Beats (13)
- The narrator recalls listening to fairy tales about princesses and magical days on their nurse's knee.
- The narrator describes how these fairy people would visit them in dreams.
- In a dream, fairies bless a newborn babe with gifts, including a jewel and a crown, but an old, wrinkled fairy delivers a curse.
- The king laughs off the curse, and the dance begins.
- The babe grows into the fairest in the land, riding through the forest with a hawk.
- The princess falls into an ogre's snare, and the ogre laughs as she weeps.
- Just as her need is greatest, a prince in shining armor appears.
- The prince challenges the 'Paynim knight' (ogre), causing both the ogre and the princess to tremble.
- The prince and the ogre fight fiercely, with the prince's blade striking the ogre.
- The ogre falls like an oak, defeated by the prince.
- The prince kneels, takes the lady's hand, and declares her free.
- The narrator awakens from the dream, feeling a sense of longing for the fairy tales and the absence of a 'knight for me' in reality.
- The narrator wishes to be a child again, by the fire on their nurse's knee.
Characters
The Narrator (Child) ★ protagonist
A small child, likely of slender build, with an imaginative and dreamy expression. Their features are soft and youthful, typical of a child engrossed in stories.
Attire: Simple, comfortable nightclothes or day clothes suitable for a child sitting by a fire in a Victorian English hall, likely made of cotton or wool in muted colors.
Wants: To escape into the world of fairy tales, to experience wonder and adventure, to find comfort in stories.
Flaw: Naivety, a tendency to idealize the world of stories over reality, a longing for a past innocence.
Starts as a child fully immersed in fairy tales, then awakens to a reality where such magic doesn't exist, leading to a wistful longing for their childhood innocence.
Imaginative, dreamy, innocent, wistful, nostalgic.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young child, gender ambiguous, sitting attentively, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. They have a soft, innocent face with wide, wondering eyes, and light brown hair styled simply. They wear a simple, comfortable cream-colored linen nightshirt. Their posture is slightly hunched forward, hands clasped, indicating deep concentration. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Nurse ◆ supporting
A comforting, maternal figure, likely of a sturdy build, with a kind and patient demeanor. Her hands would be capable and gentle.
Attire: A practical, modest dress typical of a Victorian-era nurse or domestic servant, likely made of sturdy cotton or wool in dark, muted colors, possibly with a white apron and cap.
Wants: To care for the child, to entertain and educate through stories, to provide comfort.
Flaw: Not explored in the text.
Static, serves as a catalyst for the narrator's dreams.
Kind, patient, nurturing, traditional, a good storyteller.
Image Prompt & Upload
A middle-aged woman with a kind, patient expression, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a sturdy build and warm, brown eyes. Her dark brown hair is neatly pulled back into a bun under a white lace cap. She wears a practical, dark blue wool dress with a crisp white apron tied at the waist. Her hands are gently clasped in front of her. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Princess ★ protagonist
The 'fairest of the land', slender and graceful, embodying classic fairy tale beauty.
Attire: A 'golden robe and crown', implying rich, shimmering fabric like silk or brocade, possibly embroidered with jewels, and a regal golden circlet or crown. She rides a 'white palfrey', suggesting a medieval European setting.
Wants: To live a life of beauty and freedom, then to escape danger.
Flaw: Vulnerability to external threats, easily distressed.
From carefree princess to captive, then rescued by the prince.
Beautiful, initially carefree, then distressed and vulnerable.
Image Prompt & Upload
A beautiful young woman with long, flowing golden hair and fair skin, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has delicate features, wide blue eyes, and a small, elegant nose. She wears a shimmering golden silk gown with long, flowing sleeves and a simple golden circlet on her head. A small, trained hawk perches gracefully on her gloved left hand. Her posture is regal and slightly melancholic. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Prince ★ protagonist
A gallant knight, strong and heroic, with a commanding presence. He is described as having 'coral red lips' and 'blue eyes'.
Attire: Shining mail armor, implying polished steel plate armor typical of a medieval European knight. He wears a helmet adorned with a 'waving ostrich-plume' and carries a 'buckler burnished bright' and a 'falchion keen'.
Wants: To rescue the distressed princess, to uphold justice and chivalry.
Flaw: Not explored in the text.
Appears as a fully formed hero, rescues the princess, and fulfills his role.
Gallant, brave, heroic, chivalrous, strong-willed, decisive.
Image Prompt & Upload
A gallant young man in full shining silver plate armor, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a handsome face with coral red lips beneath a dark, neatly trimmed moustache, and piercing blue eyes. A white ostrich plume waves from his helmet. He holds a polished silver falchion in his right hand and a round, burnished buckler shield in his left. His posture is confident and heroic. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Ogre / Giant ⚔ antagonist
Massive and formidable, capable of making the ground tremble. He is strong enough to capture the princess and fight a knight.
Attire: No specific clothing mentioned, but would likely be crude and functional, perhaps animal hides or roughspun cloth, befitting a monstrous forest dweller.
Wants: To capture and torment the princess, to assert dominance.
Flaw: Vulnerable to the knight's skill and bravery.
Appears as a threat, is defeated by the prince.
Cruel, menacing, powerful, overconfident.
Image Prompt & Upload
A towering, muscular male giant with rough, greenish-grey skin and a brutish, scowling face, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a wide, flat nose, small, beady black eyes, and a thick, unkempt dark brown beard. He wears a crude tunic made of stitched animal hides and simple leather bracers. His posture is hunched and menacing, with large, gnarled hands. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Gentle Queen ○ minor
A regal and sensitive woman, likely fair and delicate, given her reaction to the curse.
Attire: Regal attire, likely a flowing gown of fine fabric, perhaps silk or velvet, in rich colors, adorned with jewels, and a crown, befitting a queen in a European fairy tale setting.
Wants: To protect her new-born babe from harm.
Flaw: Emotional vulnerability, fear for her child.
Static, serves to highlight the threat of the curse.
Gentle, sensitive, concerned, maternal.
Image Prompt & Upload
A regal adult woman with a delicate, pale face and concerned blue eyes, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. Her long, wavy golden-blonde hair is styled elegantly under a small, jeweled golden crown. She wears a flowing gown of deep emerald green velvet, embroidered with silver thread, with wide, draped sleeves. Her posture is dignified but slightly tense, with one hand gently touching her chest. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The King ○ minor
A robust and jovial monarch, perhaps a bit boisterous, given his reaction to the curse.
Attire: Royal robes, likely heavy and richly colored, perhaps purple or crimson velvet, adorned with gold embroidery and jewels, and a crown, befitting a king in a European fairy tale setting.
Wants: To celebrate, to maintain a festive atmosphere.
Flaw: Underestimation of threats, perhaps a lack of seriousness.
Static, serves to contrast with the Queen's reaction to the curse.
Jovial, carefree, perhaps a little dismissive of danger, authoritative.
Image Prompt & Upload
A robust adult man with a jovial, ruddy face and a hearty laugh, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a neatly trimmed brown beard and a golden crown atop his head. He wears a magnificent royal robe of deep crimson velvet, trimmed with ermine fur and embroidered with golden lions. His posture is confident and expansive, with one hand gesturing as if giving a command. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Old Fairy (Curser) ⚔ antagonist
Wrinkled and old, contrasting sharply with the 'pretty fairy people'. Her appearance suggests malice or decay.
Attire: No specific clothing mentioned, but would likely be dark, tattered, or ominous, contrasting with the bright gifts of other fairies. Perhaps a dark cloak or simple, drab gown.
Wants: To inflict harm or misfortune, possibly due to being overlooked or slighted.
Flaw: Not explored in the text, but her power is limited by the blessings of others.
Static, delivers the curse that sets the plot in motion.
Malicious, vengeful, powerful (to deliver a curse).
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly woman with a deeply wrinkled face and sharp, dark eyes, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. Her sparse, stringy grey hair is pulled back messily. She wears a dark, tattered cloak of roughspun grey wool over a simple, drab brown dress. Her posture is hunched and slightly menacing, with one gnarled hand raised as if casting a spell. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Old Hall-Fire
A cozy, warm spot by a large, traditional hearth in an old hall, likely a manor house or castle, where stories are told.
Mood: Warm, nostalgic, safe, comforting, imaginative.
The framing device of the story, where the narrator hears fairy tales as a child.
Image Prompt & Upload
A massive, rough-hewn stone hearth dominates the scene, with a roaring fire casting warm, flickering light across a timber-beamed ceiling. A worn, high-backed wooden chair is pulled close to the fire, its surface polished smooth from years of use. Shadows stretch long and soft across the flagstone floor and up the ancient, tapestried walls. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Enchanted Forest
A dense, ancient forest, 'green' and vibrant, where the princess rides and later falls into an ogre's snare. It is also where the prince appears to rescue her.
Mood: Initially serene and adventurous, then becomes perilous and tense, finally heroic.
The princess's journey, her capture by the ogre, and the dramatic rescue by the prince.
Image Prompt & Upload
A winding, overgrown path cuts through a dense, ancient European forest, where gnarled oak and beech trees form a high, interlocking canopy. Dappled sunlight filters through the thick leaves, creating shifting patterns on the mossy forest floor, which is strewn with fallen leaves and exposed roots. Wild ferns and thorny brambles grow thick along the path's edges, hinting at hidden dangers. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Forest Clearing (Battleground)
A specific 'green' clearing within the forest where the climactic battle between the knight and the giant takes place.
Mood: Tense, heroic, dramatic, victorious.
The decisive battle between the prince and the ogre/giant, leading to the princess's freedom.
Image Prompt & Upload
A circular, sun-drenched clearing in a deep, ancient European forest, carpeted with vibrant green grass and wild wildflowers. The surrounding trees, primarily towering oaks and elms, form a natural amphitheater, their lower branches heavy with leaves. The ground is firm and slightly uneven, bearing signs of a recent struggle, with disturbed earth and flattened grass. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
