THE ENCHANTED FOREST
by Fergus Hume · from The chronicles of Fairy land
Adapted Version
One night, I read a book about faeries. I fell asleep in a forest.
I woke up to pretty music. The forest was getting ready. It was for a big party. A soft song said, "Go away."
A faery named Phancie came. "You should not be here," he said. "Long ago, a man told faery secrets. The King was mad. Now, people must leave."
"Will the King send me away?" I asked.
"Maybe," said Phancie. "Be very kind." Phancie said, "Say hello to the King. Only speak if he asks." Then he skipped away.
Many faeries and bugs came. They played music. They walked in a line. It was a happy show.
The King and the Queen came. They sat on a big white flower. The forest beasts came to watch.
A wise bird spoke. Then Puck, a funny faery, told silly jokes. He played little tricks on friends.
The King looked at me. "Do people think faeries are real?" he asked.
"Children do," I said.
"Grown-ups forget magic," said the King. "But children know it. Write seven stories from my book room. Tell them to kids. Teach them to be good."
"I will," I said.
"You may see our dance," said the King. "Then you must go. But you can visit in dreams."
The faeries danced. It was very pretty. They sang a goodbye song at sunrise.
I woke up in my chair. Was it a dream? Thinking magic is real is special. I will tell faery stories to kids.
Original Story
THE ENCHANTED FOREST.
I DO not know how long I was in King Oberon’s library, as, being very much interested in the books, I took no notice of the flight of time. But reading becomes wearisome even in Faeryland, so, feeling rather tired with study, I lay down beside the marble-encircled pool, and fell fast asleep on the soft green carpet. The delightful stories I had been reading still ran in my head, for my slumber was filled with the most charming dreams. I seemed to see beautiful faces smiling at me from amid masses of golden clouds, long ranges of marble colonnades stretching far away in dazzling whiteness against a dark blue sky, mighty ranges of mountains with snowy summits roseate with the flush of sunsets, and sombre Egyptian temples, wherein lovely priestesses danced their mystic dances before the unseen fane of the sacred Isis. All these wonderful pictures passed through my visionary brain, blending one into the other in inextricable confusion, while strains of the most delicious music kept rising and falling at intervals during this strange phantasmagoria of dreamland.
184At length the music grew louder and louder, until I slowly opened my eyes to find myself once more in the enchanted forest, lying on the cool green grass, with the dark blue sky silvered with stars above me, and the thin pale moonlight shining down on the solemn trees and glimmering pool. The music had now words to its melody, for a choir of faery voices, clear and distinct as the sound of tiny silver bells, sang as follows:
“In the moonshine cold and chill,
Nightingale
To the woods so calm and still
Tells her tale.
Dance the fairies one and all
Lightly at the elfin ball,
To her singing’s dying fall.
In the moonshine chill and cold,
Oberon
Will the fairy revels hold;
So begone
Mortal, who with daring eye
Elfish dances would espy.
Mocking our solemnity.”
After listening drowsily to this song for some time with half-closed eyes, I sat up and saw that the whole glade was alive with faeries all running hither and thither, evidently preparing for the coming of King Oberon. As I had been warned in this song to depart, I did not know very well whether they meant it or not, when suddenly Phancie, now reduced to his former size, appeared before me, and I put the question to him.
185“It’s not usual to allow any mortal to view our revels,” he said thoughtfully; “still, as the King allowed you to see his library, perhaps he will let you stay a little while, so you can wait till he appears.”
“Has no mortal ever beheld the faery revels?” I asked, after thanking Phancie for his kindness.
“Yes—one Shakespeare,” he answered, nodding his head: “long, long ago the King allowed him to see our solemnity; but he told all about it to the world, which made the King very angry.”
“But he told it so beautifully,” I pleaded.
“I don’t know so much about that,” responded Phancie saucily. “He said Oberon and Titania quarrelled, which is quite a mistake, for they are very fond of one another. Oh, I assure you the affair caused quite a scandal at court; since then the King mistrusts all mortals, and won’t allow them to see anything.”
“Perhaps, then, he’ll send me away.”
“I can’t tell, but it’s very probable he will; or perhaps he will let you stay, and then cause you to forget all you have seen, except what he wishes you to remember.”
“I hope he won’t make me forget the stories I have read.”
“No, he won’t do that; he said you could remember seven, and he never goes back from his word; but as to remembering our revels, I’m afraid he won’t let you do that. But hush! the court is approaching. Go and sit on that fallen tree again.”
I arose obediently, and, walking across the glade to the 186tree, sat down on it; then, warned by Phancie, kept quite silent.
“You mustn’t speak unless the King asks you a question,” said Phancie pompously. “If he does, be sure to address him as ‘Your Majesty.’”
“I won’t forget,” I replied, and then Phancie, having seen all was in order to receive the King, skipped off to meet the procession, which was now approaching.
Between two great rose-bushes, which formed a triumphal arch of beautiful red blossoms, came a company of merry little faeries, blowing through white trumpet-shaped lilies, followed by a number of crickets creaking in the most lively manner; then came a band of elves ringing bunches of bluebells, which chimed silver music; next marched some fays dressed in thistle down, playing with blades of grass on drums made of empty acorn cups with rose leaves stretched tightly across them; a company of fierce-looking bumble-bees carrying thorns for swords came next; and then a number of beautiful girl faeries in lily-white dresses danced along, singing gaily. After these appeared Oberon and Titania, riding upon two purple-winged butterflies, and the rear of the procession was guarded by a company of soldier elves, and lastly a disorderly crowd of faeries, who played a thousand merry tricks upon one another as they ran along.
When the King and Queen of Faeryland arrived near the pool, Oberon struck the ground with his magic wand, and immediately there bloomed a great white lily, on the golden cushions of whose heart the royal pair took their seat, while all the faeries disposed themselves around according to their rank, 187and the elfin band played merry music, which rang shrilly in the night air. From all sides of the glade now appeared beautiful white rabbits with pink eyes, lithe brown hares, velvety moles, spiky-looking hedgehogs, and many other strange animals, while thrushes, nightingales, linnets, cuckoos, and doves perched among the branches of the trees.
The King and Queen were much taller than their subjects, and Oberon was dressed in a green hunting-suit, with a crown of dewdrops on his head and a silver wand in his hand; while Titania wore a delicate pink robe made entirely of rose leaves, and her golden hair streamed from under a wreath of lilies of the valley, a spray of the same flowers being in her tiny hand.
When the royal pair had taken their seats, a loud-voiced cricket chirped loudly to command silence, and then a wise-looking owl made a very long speech, in which he bade the King and Queen welcome in the name of their dutiful subjects. The King was about to reply, when a grotesque figure with a large head and pointed ears suddenly started up out of the earth, and rolled like a ball to the foot of the throne.
“Ah, my merry Puck!” said Oberon, laughing at the jester of Faeryland; “where have you been?”
“Plaguing mortals, please your Majesty!” cried Puck, bounding on to the top of a great mushroom, where he sat grinning at every one. “I have played Will-o’-the-Wisp on marshy ground to lead unwary wanderers astray; pinched the lazy maids who lie slug-a-bed; frightened those foolish mortals who believe not in faeries; drank the milk, spoiled the 188butter, teased the cows, and played merry jokes everywhere.”
“Ah, rogue!” said Oberon, smiling; “thou wert ever cruel in thy pranks. Some day mortals will punish thee.”
“No, no,” said Puck, shaking his head; “why, they don’t believe faeries exist.”
“You hear?” sighed Oberon, looking at me gravely; “you mortals don’t believe faeries exist.”
“I do, your Majesty,” I answered eagerly; “and when I return to earth, I will do my best to convince other people. Besides, sire, children always believe in faeries.”
“Yes, the dear children!” cried Titania brightly; “they are our best friends. Ah, children will always believe in us, although they do not see us.”
“If you would only show yourselves sometimes,” I suggested, “it would make every one believe.”
“I don’t think so,” said Oberon, smiling; “you see your wonderful grown-up people have proved conclusively that there are no faeries, so it would be quite an impertinence for us to appear and upset all their fine theories.”
“It might make their hearts better, your Majesty,” I ventured to remark.
“I doubt it,” replied the King of Faery. “With you it is all greed of money, pursuit of pleasure, and desire of learning; there is no room in your lives to believe that beings like us exist; we can be turned to no practical use, therefore you mortals regard us as unnecessary existences. But while the world moves on, there will always be bright, happy children who will keep our memories fresh and green in their hearts, and perhaps some day, when the world returns to its childlike 189faith of old, we may once more appear to mortals.”
“Meanwhile”—I began.
“Meanwhile,” repeated Oberon a little sadly, “you will go back to earth and write down the seven stories you have read in my library; when good children read them they may perhaps find out their hidden meaning, and it will make them wiser and more obedient. Tell your child friends that faeries do nothing without having some good end in view, and if they want to please us, they must try and be noble and good, for there is nothing so hateful in the world as wickedness. And now, mortal, I will permit you to see a faery dance, and then you must leave us for ever.”
“For ever?”
“Unless,” said the King graciously, “you revisit us in your beautiful dreams. Good-bye, mortal, good-bye:
“Though years may bring thee pain and grief,
In airy elves still have belief,
While thou of earth art denizen.
And may thou ever think as truth
The lovely idle dreams of youth:
This is the Faeries’ benison.”
Then from the elfin band rang out sweet, wild music, and on the smooth greensward the merry faeries danced lightly in the pale moonshine. They whirled in and out, swayed into graceful circles, and melted away like foam on the crest of an emerald wave, floated in long wreaths which wavered and broke as breaks the mist on snow-peaked mountains, blended together again in picturesque confusion, while sweet and shrill sounded the weird music, blown through the warm air of the summer night. The perfume of a thousand flowers arose from 190the ground, strange blossoms bloomed suddenly under the flying feet of the elves, and round and round the lily throne of gracious Oberon and airy Titania whirled the elfin circle, singing their farewell song to the sweet voices of the birds:
“Flashing stars and silver moon
Waning in the western skies;
Crimson is the east, and soon
Will the orb of day arise.
Chilly blows the morning breeze,
Dewdrops glitter on the lawn;
Through the branches of the trees
Flushes now the rosy dawn.
Idle faery dreams have fled,
Not a moment can they wait;
Visions of the night are dead,
Sleep has barred her ivory gate.
But when silver moonlight gleams,
Close your eyes, O poet true,
Then from Faeryland of dreams
We will come again to you.”
And through the branches of the trees shone the red glare of the dawn, which seemed to come nearer and nearer. The great boughs with their myriad leaves faded into the angry scarlet, a veil of darkness enveloped me, and, awaking with a start, I found myself seated in my arm-chair in the shadowy room, with the fire burning redly in the grate.
Even the cricket had ceased to sing, and outside the white snowflakes still fell, and the wind whistled shrilly round the house. Was it a dream? Maybe! for it is only in dreams, dear children, that we can ever hope to visit Faeryland, where 191dwell all those lovely fancies and beautiful thoughts which form your enchanted world; but the child who has once visited the wonderful realm of gracious Oberon must try never to forget what he has seen, so that, when he becomes a grown-up person, he can remember his childish glimpse of the delightful Kingdom of Faeryland.
Transcriber’s Notes
Pg. 30 - Closing single quote changed to double to match opening quote.
Pg. 30 - Added colon to paragraph end, seems to be a trace in the scan.
Pg. 71 - Closing single quote changed to double to match opening quote.
Pg. 76 - Corrected typo: “... gold box from Salmander” > “Salamander”
Pg. 79 - Period added at end of paragraph instead of comma.
Pg. 104 - Missing period added. Extra spaces in original but no period.
Pg. 105 - Opening single quote changed to double to match opening quote.
Pg. 130 & 131 - Rose Princess changed to Rose-Princess to match style.
Pg. 141 - “Mirvenetta” changed to “Minervetta,” as that conforms to the latter, more likely, mention.
Pg. 155 - Closing single quote changed to double to match opening quote.
Pg. 163 - Added opening quote to match end quote in poem.
Aside from the above, archaic and non-standard spelling and inconsistent hyphenation have been retained.
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Story DNA
Moral
Children's belief in magic and stories is precious and should be cherished, as it connects them to a deeper, more imaginative world.
Plot Summary
After falling asleep in King Oberon's library, the narrator awakens to witness a secret faery revel. Guided by the faery Phancie, the narrator learns of the faeries' distrust of mortals due to Shakespeare's past revelations. King Oberon and Queen Titania arrive with a grand procession, and Puck entertains with tales of his pranks. Oberon expresses sadness that grown-ups no longer believe in faeries, but entrusts the narrator with the task of sharing seven stories to keep the spirit of Faeryland alive in children's hearts. After witnessing a final, enchanting faery dance, the narrator awakens back in their own world, left to ponder the reality of the experience and the enduring power of imagination and belief.
Themes
Emotional Arc
wonder to wistfulness
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Fergus Hume was a Victorian author, and this story reflects the romanticized view of faeries prevalent in 19th-century English literature, often used to impart moral lessons to children.
Plot Beats (13)
- The narrator, having read in King Oberon's library, falls asleep by a pool in the enchanted forest, experiencing vivid dreams.
- Awakening to faery music and a song warning mortals to depart, the narrator sees the glade preparing for King Oberon's arrival.
- Phancie, a faery, explains that mortals are usually forbidden from the revels due to Shakespeare's past indiscretion of revealing faery secrets.
- Phancie advises the narrator on how to behave and address King Oberon, then joins the approaching procession.
- A whimsical procession of faeries, elves, crickets, bumble-bees, and other creatures arrives, leading Oberon and Titania.
- Oberon and Titania take their seats on a magically bloomed lily, surrounded by their subjects and forest animals.
- After a speech by a wise owl, Puck, the jester, emerges and recounts his mischievous pranks on mortals.
- Oberon questions the narrator about human disbelief in faeries, and the narrator defends children's belief.
- Oberon explains that grown-ups' disbelief and focus on practicality prevent faeries from appearing, but children keep their memory alive.
- Oberon tasks the narrator with writing down seven stories from his library to inspire wisdom and obedience in children.
- Oberon grants the narrator permission to witness a faery dance, but warns it will be the last time, unless in dreams.
- The faeries perform a beautiful, ethereal dance as the dawn approaches, singing a farewell song.
- The narrator awakens abruptly in their armchair, back in their shadowy room, left to wonder if the experience was a dream but understanding its message about the importance of childlike faith.
Characters
The Narrator ★ protagonist
Not explicitly described, but implied to be a mortal capable of deep thought and imagination. Likely of average build and height, as no distinguishing features are mentioned.
Attire: Not described, as the story focuses on the dream-like experience. Likely wears typical indoor attire for the period, given the awakening in an armchair by a fire.
Wants: To experience and understand the wonders of Faeryland, to learn and remember the stories and magic encountered.
Flaw: Mortality and the inherent human inability to fully grasp or retain the magic of Faeryland, leading to eventual forgetting.
Begins as a passive observer, becomes an active participant in Faeryland, and then returns to the mortal world with a mission to share the stories and keep the belief in faeries alive through children's imagination.
Curious, imaginative, respectful, observant, appreciative of beauty and stories. Shows a childlike wonder despite being an adult.
Image Prompt & Upload
A thoughtful human adult, gender ambiguous, with an average build and height, seated on a moss-covered fallen log. They have a curious and slightly awestruck expression, observing something magical just out of frame. Their hair is a medium brown, neatly kept, and their eyes are wide with wonder. They wear simple, comfortable, dark green tunic and trousers, suitable for a quiet evening indoors or a walk in the woods. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Phancie ◆ supporting
A small faery, capable of changing size, but typically small. Agile and quick-moving.
Attire: Not explicitly described, but implied to be simple and natural, fitting for a faery. Perhaps made of leaves or petals.
Wants: To assist the Narrator within the bounds of Faeryland rules, and to ensure the proper conduct of mortals in the presence of royalty.
Flaw: Can be a bit gossipy or opinionated, as shown by his comments on Shakespeare.
Serves as a consistent guide and informant for the Narrator, remaining largely unchanged in personality.
Saucy, thoughtful, helpful, a bit pompous, knowledgeable about Faeryland customs and history.
Image Prompt & Upload
A tiny, agile male faery with delicate, pointed ears and a mischievous grin. He has short, spiky green hair and bright, intelligent brown eyes. He wears a tunic made of overlapping green leaves and brown breeches, with small, translucent dragonfly-like wings on his back. His posture is alert and slightly cocky, one hand on his hip. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
King Oberon ◆ supporting
Taller than his faery subjects, regal and commanding. Possesses a magic wand.
Attire: A green hunting-suit, suggesting an active and outdoorsy ruler. This would be a finely tailored suit of deep forest green velvet or silk, with subtle embroidery. A crown of dewdrops on his head, shimmering with light.
Wants: To rule Faeryland, protect its secrets, and ensure the continued belief in faeries among mortals, especially children.
Flaw: His past negative experience with Shakespeare makes him wary and mistrustful of mortals.
Remains a consistent figure of authority and wisdom, guiding the Narrator's experience and giving a final charge.
Gracious, powerful, wise, somewhat mistrustful of mortals (due to past experience), but ultimately benevolent and concerned with the preservation of faery belief.
Image Prompt & Upload
A regal male faery king, taller than average, with a commanding presence. He has sharp, intelligent green eyes and a noble face with a neatly trimmed dark green beard. His hair is dark brown, styled in a short, wavy cut. He wears a finely tailored hunting suit of deep forest green velvet, adorned with subtle silver embroidery resembling vines. On his head rests a shimmering crown made of interconnected dewdrops. He holds a slender silver wand in his right hand. He is seated gracefully on the golden cushion heart of a giant white lily blossom. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Titania ◆ supporting
Beautiful and delicate, with golden hair. Taller than her faery subjects.
Attire: A delicate pink robe made entirely of rose leaves, suggesting a natural and ethereal beauty. The robe would be flowing and iridescent, like fresh rose petals.
Wants: To rule alongside Oberon and participate in the faery revels, embodying the beauty and grace of Faeryland.
Flaw: Not explicitly stated, but perhaps a vulnerability to mortal disbelief, similar to Oberon.
Remains a consistent figure of grace and beauty throughout the observed revels.
Gracious, beautiful, and ethereal. Implied to be loving and harmonious with Oberon.
Image Prompt & Upload
A beautiful female faery queen, taller than average, with a delicate and ethereal appearance. She has long, flowing golden hair that streams behind her, adorned with a wreath of white lilies of the valley. Her eyes are large and sparkling blue, and her face is serene and lovely. She wears a flowing, delicate robe made entirely of iridescent pink rose leaves, shimmering softly. She is seated gracefully on the back of a large, vibrant purple-winged butterfly. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
King Oberon's Library
A library in Faeryland, filled with books. The narrator falls asleep here beside a marble-encircled pool on a soft green carpet.
Mood: Scholarly, magical, dreamlike, serene
The narrator reads extensively, falls asleep, and has vivid dreams before awakening in the enchanted forest.
Image Prompt & Upload
An opulent, fantastical library interior with towering shelves overflowing with ancient, glowing tomes. A serene, circular marble pool reflects the soft, ambient light filtering from unseen sources above. Lush, emerald green moss and soft, velvety grass carpet the floor around the pool. The air shimmers with a subtle, magical luminescence. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Enchanted Forest Glade
A cool, green glade within the enchanted forest, surrounded by solemn trees. A glimmering pool is central, and two great rose-bushes form a triumphal arch of red blossoms. The ground is smooth greensward.
Mood: Magical, mysterious, lively, celebratory, ethereal
The narrator awakens here, witnesses the fairy revels, meets King Oberon and Titania, and is given instructions before being sent back to the mortal world.
Image Prompt & Upload
A moonlit glade in an ancient, enchanted forest. Tall, solemn trees with dark, gnarled branches frame the clearing, their leaves silhouetted against a deep, star-studded blue night sky. A shimmering, still pool reflects the pale moonlight. In the center, a colossal, luminous white lily with golden stamens serves as a throne. The ground is covered in smooth, dewy greensward, and two vibrant rose-bushes with rich red blossoms form a natural archway. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.