The Ten Little Fairies
by Various · from The Diamond Fairy Book
Adapted Version
Once upon a time. A happy land was there. Good people lived in this land. A kind girl lived there. Her name was Rosebelle. This story is for you. It tells us about being happy. It tells us about being busy. It shows us how to be strong. This is a good story.
Rosebelle was very pretty. She was kind too. She met a good man. His name was Greatheart. He was a prince. Rosebelle loved Greatheart. Greatheart loved Rosebelle. They got married. They had a big wedding. They lived in a big castle. The castle was very old. It was in the country. Big trees were all around.
Rosebelle's Father loved her very much. He loved her more than all things. He was sad when she left him. He told Greatheart, "Keep her safe, please. Keep her happy always. Do not let her get hurt. She is my only child. I want her well."
Rosebelle had many helpers. They did all for her. She did not work. She did not do hard things. She just rested. She just played. Her helpers brought her food. They brought her nice clothes. She had a very easy life. She loved Greatheart. She did not do much else.
But Rosebelle became very sad. She was very tired. She did not know why. She had all things. But she felt bad inside. She did not smile much. Her bright color went away. Her cheeks were not pink. She was not strong. She just sat and sighed all day.
Greatheart was very worried. Rosebelle's Father was worried too. They called many doctors. Doctors came from far away. They looked at Rosebelle. They did not know what to do. They could not help her. They did not know why she was sad.
One day, an old man came. He was a shepherd. He talked to Greatheart. He said, "There is a wise woman. She lives in a dark cave. Maybe she can help Rosebelle. She knows many things." Greatheart listened to him.
Greatheart took Rosebelle to the dark cave. The Wise Woman lived there. She was very old. She looked at Rosebelle for a long time. Her eyes were bright and kind. She smiled a little. She said, "I know what to do. I can help your wife. I have ten little helpers. They will make her well again."
The next day, Rosebelle came back. The Wise Woman did a special dance. She sang a song. She touched Rosebelle's hands. She put secret helpers into her fingers. Ten little helpers went in. The Wise Woman said, "Keep your fingers moving. Move them all the time. Do not let them rest. Do this when you are awake. Then you will feel well."
Rosebelle went home. She moved her fingers. She moved them each day. She moved them many times. She did not eat much. She wanted to be well. But it felt like silly play. It did not help her. She got very tired. She went back to the Wise Woman.
The Wise Woman smiled. She said, "Your little helpers want to work. They do not like silly play. They want to do real things. Use your fingers for good work. Do things you like to do. Play music. Sew pretty cloth. Make things with your hands. Keep them busy always."
Rosebelle went home again. She found her old harp. She played sweet music. Her fingers moved fast. Then she sewed pretty cloth. Her fingers made nice stitches. She went to the garden. She picked many flowers. She picked sweet fruit. She helped sick people. She gave money to poor people. Her hands were very busy!
Rosebelle sent her helpers away. She did things herself now. She cleaned her room. She cooked her food. She liked to work. She felt happy inside. Being busy made her strong. She found joy each day. She loved to do many things. She did not feel sad now.
Rosebelle was strong again. Her cheeks were pink. She was pretty again. She smiled all the time. She laughed a lot. She was very happy. She loved Greatheart very much. Her heart was full of love for him. She felt well and good each day.
Rosebelle was all well. She went to the Wise Woman. She thanked her much. The Wise Woman said, "Your little helpers are happy. They helped you be well. They like to work. Keep your hands busy always. Do good things with them. Being busy makes you happy. It makes you strong too. Always think this." Rosebelle was happy and busy each day. She knew busy hands make a happy heart.
Original Story
The Ten Little Fairies.
VAINLY I try to recall from my recollections of yesterday, still vividly remembered, and from those of the long past, grown tenderly dim in the mists of intervening time, from whom I learned the powerfully moral story I am here going to repeat to children great and small, to men and their companions: I cannot determine from whom it was I learned it.
Did I first read it in some old book laden with the dust of ages? Was it told to me by my mother, by my nurse, one evening when I would not go to sleep—or one night when, sleeping soundly, a fairy came and sang it to me in my slumber? I cannot tell. I cannot remember. I have forgotten all the details, of which there only remains with me the subtle perfume—too fine and evanescent for me to seize it in its passage through my mind. But I retain—perfectly retain—the moral, which is the daughter of all things healthy and strong.
The things which I am going to recount happened in a charming country—one of those bright lands which we see only in delightful dreams, where the men are all good and the women all as amiable as they are beautiful.
In that happy country there lived a great nobleman who, left a widower early in life, had an only daughter whom he loved more than anything in the whole world.
Rosebelle was seventeen years old—a pure marvel of grace and beauty; gay as a joyous heart, good as a happy one. For ten leagues round she was known to be the most beautiful and best. She was simple and gentle, and her exquisite ingenuousness caused her everywhere—in the mansion and the cottage—to be beloved.
Her father, fearful lest the least of the distresses of our poor existence should overtake her, watched over her with jealous care, so that no harm should come to her; while she passed her days in calmly thinking of the time before her, sure that it would not be other than delightful.
When she was eighteen, her father consented to her being betrothed to the son of a Prince—to Greatheart, a handsome youth, who had been carefully reared, and detested the false excitements and factitious pleasures of cities loving enthusiastically the fresh charms of Nature—of the common mother who claims us all, the Earth.
Rosebelle loved her fiancé, married, and adored him.
With him she went to live in the admirable calm of the country, in the midst of great trees that gave back the plaint of winds, by a river with its ever-flowing song, winding under willowy banks, and overshadowed by tall poplars.
She lived in a very old, old castle, where the sires of her husband had been born—a great castle reached by roads hewn out of the solid rock; a great castle, with immense, cold halls, where echo answered echo mysteriously; where the night-owl drearily replied to the early thrush's song to the rising sun, and the other awakened birds singing and chirping on the borders of the deep woods, where the sun enters timidly—almost with the hesitation of a trespasser.
When the time for parting came, her father had said to her, through his tears:
"You are going from me—your happiness claims that I should let you go: go, therefore, but take all care of yourself for love of me, who have only you in the world to love."
To his son-in-law he said:
"Watch over her, I intrust her to you. Surround her with a thousand safeguards; screen her from the least chance of harm or pain. Remember that even in stooping to pluck a flower she may fall and wound herself, that in gathering a fruit she may tear her hand. See that all is done for her that can be done, keep her for me ever beautiful."
Absorbed in her love for her husband, Rosebelle realised the sweet dreams of her young girlhood. Then she dreamed—languorously—Heaven knows what! The delightful future which she had seen in the visions of the past was still present with her, however.
Her husband, tender and good, wished that she should do nothing but live and love. He had surrounded her with numerous servants, all ready to obey the least of her desires, the slightest of her fancies, to comprehend the most trivial of her wants. She had nothing to do but to let time glide slowly by her.
At length she wearied—languished mysteriously.
Her father, to whom she communicated this strange experience, was astounded. He reminded her of all the sources of happiness which ought to have existed in her case. He took her in his arms and said all he could think of in laudation of the husband who so greatly loved her; gave her innumerable reasons why her happiness ought to have been unparalleled; offered money—more money—wishful to give all the felicities in the world.
She wished for nothing of all that; it only tired, enervated her.
He besought her to be happy; she replied:
"I wish I could be so, for your sake and for that of my husband, whom I love so dearly."
And she struggled against the strange evil which so weighed upon her, against the deadly ennui that was sapping her young life. But the mysterious ill which tormented her soul grew and grew until it became overwhelming.
Greatheart speedily detected her distress, and sought to discover its cause, but ineffectually; and from alarm he passed into despair.
"SHE VOWED FOR HIM A BOUNDLESS LOVE" (p. 176).
Now, when he returned from the plain, the fields, or the camp, when he embraced her he pressed against his bosom a bosom cold and filled with sadness and tears—a bosom so cold that it might have been thought to contain a block of ice in place of a heart—and he redoubled his tenderness towards her. Seeing how much he was suffering on her account, she vowed for him a boundless love.
Courageous, energetic even, she tried to shake off the languor which possessed her, endeavouring to intoxicate her soul and drown her self-consciousness in the love of her adored husband; but all her efforts were made in vain; she became more and more oppressed with weariness, and the crowd of servants about her, all eager to realise her wishes, were utterly unable to mitigate her condition by anything they could do.
At last she fell into a state of the deepest melancholy. The rose-tints faded from her cheeks, her beauty paled like that of a languishing flower; the light in her eyes grew each day more dim. She was very ill.
The most learned doctors in the healing art were called to her, brought, regardless of cost, from the most distant countries, only to confess their complete inability; excusing themselves by affirming that there was no remedy for an indefinable ailment—an ailment impalpable, incomprehensible.
Then, one day, an old, white-haired shepherd, with a long, snowy beard, who had learned to understand men from having always lived alone with his sheep and thinking, thinking, while he led them to their pasture—an old philosopher—came to Greatheart, of whom he was one of the vassals, and said to him:
"I know where there lives, close by here, an old grand-dame, with one foot in the grave, she is so old People call her a sorceress; but never mind that; she, and she alone, can cure our lady, our mistress, whom you love so well."
Knowing not what to do in his suffering, Greatheart believed what the old shepherd told him.
He took Rosebelle far away from the castle along the bank of the river, to a spot where the path ran between high rocks, leading to a deep and profoundly dark cavity, within which they found the old, old woman of whom the shepherd had spoken, crouching by the side of a scanty fire of pine-branches, warming herself in their fitful light, in the midst of owls and ravens, cats and rats with phosphorescent eyes, showing green in the obscurity when lit by the intermittent sparkle of the crackling branches on the hearth.
"Ho, there! sorceress!" cried the young Prince. "Cure my wife, and I will give you the half of all I possess!"
The very old woman looked for a long time at Rosebelle out of her little bright eyes, meeting those of the young Princess, and holding her as if by a spell. For awhile longer she remained silent, as if in contemplation; then, suddenly, she rose to her feet, raised her long arms towards the herbs suspended from the rocky roof of her dwelling-place, spread out her fleshless fingers and cried:
"I see! I see! I understand it all! Yes, my lord, I will cure your wife, your adored one; and presently in your arms, on your heart, shall sleep a heart beating with great joy for love of you!"
As they both sprang nearer to her, the better to hear her wonderful words, the old woman retreated, saying:
"Yes, I will cure her; but to aid me in the task, I need the assistance of ten little fairies—ten friends who have ever been dear to me, ever faithful to me, and who, by an unfortunate chance, have not visited me to-day. To-morrow I shall be sure to have them with me, my tiny comrades; so come back to me to-morrow, my dear, when I will detain them until you arrive, and will take measures for enabling them to cure you."
The sun, next day, had hardly risen, hardly caressed the earth with its earliest beam, when Rosebelle re-entered the old sorceress's murky dwelling-place.
Over the still crackling fire of pine-branches she extended her white hands by direction of the old woman, who raised her arms and uttered some curious words, accompanied by some strange gestures.
Then, from a small cavity in the rocky wall she appeared to draw forth an invisible something, which she carefully conveyed to the shelter of her bare bosom. And when she had repeated these actions ten times, she cried:
"I have them!—I have them all!—all warm in my bosom—my faithful little fairies! Oh!—do not attempt to see them, or they will at once fly away. They desire to serve you—to cure you. Here they are!"
THE SORCERESS.
And laughing, dancing, and singing, the old, old woman tapped with the crooked thumb of her right hand the young Princess's ten extended fingers, while the quaint song she sang was gaily given back by the echo of the rocky vault above her. This was the song she sang, holding the Princess's delicate fingers caressingly in her left hand:—
"Ten good little fairies hie,
To these ten good fingers nigh:
Each of you reside in one
Until your kindly task is done,
Until by certain signs you're sure
That you have made a perfect cure.
Potent fairies, from this hour
Exercise your utmost pow'r;
Drive away the evil spell
Cast on one who'll love you well!"
Then, still laughing heartily, she pressed Rosebelle's fingers tightly, and went on:
"They are all here, the wonderful little doctors! Guard them preciously; do not weary them; keep them by you and, to do all that, never give them a moment's rest so long as the sun shines in the sky. Keep on moving them—actively, rapidly—so long as you are awake. Now go, and come back to me when you are quite cured, returning me my trusty little fairies."
With her hands filled with this precious load, Rosebelle hurried home, and told Greatheart of her dear hope of a renewal of life.
Of an evening, thenceforth, for a long time, she would even refrain from eating, so as to leave herself more time to exercise her unresting fingers, in which the ten little fairies were tenderly housed. As soon as the sun had sunk beneath the earth she went to sleep, and as soon as daylight returned, she at once rose and began once again to move her fairy-laden fingers.
During many, many days she continued to move her fingers in every way she could devise; but at length, growing tired of this useless play, she went back to her old friend the sorceress.
"ROSEBELLE DREW HER HARP FORM ITS CASE AND PLAYED ON IT" (p. 182).
"Nobody ever taught you to use your fingers usefully?" replied the old woman. "Go on moving them, still moving them, but in some employment that interests you. Don't let my fairies go to sleep—that is all they desire in their imprisonment."
On returning home, Rosebelle drew her long-neglected harp from its case and played on it. Then, to occupy her fingers more usefully, she had needles brought to her and employed them in dainty sewing.
But, growing weary of the dull monotony of these labours, she sought more varied employment for her fingers—gathered flowers in the garden and arranged them in charming bouquets; plucked fruit from the trees in the orchard; attended to the sick and ailing; consoled the poor—exercising her fingers constantly by slipping gold pieces into their grateful hands.
One by one, she sent away her crowd of obsequious servants, who had now nothing left for them to do but to go to sleep at their posts.
She would not allow anybody to do anything for her which she could do for herself, but threw her whole soul and being into the things God intended to be done by them.
Every day, and all the while the sun shone in the sky, she found active employment for her beautiful fingers. And the roses came back to her cheeks and health to all her being, and songs and laughter to her lips; and she could, once again, give to her beloved one a heart filled with ineffable tenderness.
Perfectly cured, she went to the sorceress and gave her back her wonderful little fairy doctors.
"Ah, my child!" said the old dame, "they are very proud of having saved you. Give them to me, for I have every day great need of them—can never have too much of them. Indeed, if I had enough of them to serve all the idlers in the world, I should want as many as there are stars in the heavens at night. But I will keep those I have for the service of those who are pining from ennui—and there are enough of them, goodness knows!"
Story DNA
Moral
True happiness and health come from purposeful activity, self-reliance, and serving others, rather than from idleness and being served.
Plot Summary
Rosebelle, a beautiful young noblewoman, marries Prince Greatheart and lives a life of complete ease, surrounded by servants who cater to her every need. Despite this idyllic existence, she falls into a deep, inexplicable melancholy that no doctor can cure. An old shepherd directs her husband to a wise sorceress, who, through a magical ritual, seemingly places 'ten little fairies' into Rosebelle's fingers, instructing her to keep them constantly moving. Initially, Rosebelle moves her fingers aimlessly, but upon returning to the sorceress, she is advised to use them in purposeful, engaging activities. Embracing this advice, Rosebelle begins to play music, sew, garden, and help the sick and poor, dismissing her servants and finding joy in self-reliance and service. Her health, beauty, and happiness are fully restored, proving that true well-being comes from active engagement and purpose.
Themes
Emotional Arc
suffering to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Reflects a societal value placed on industry and purpose, contrasting with the perceived dangers of aristocratic idleness, common in moralistic tales.
Plot Beats (15)
- The narrator introduces the story's moral importance and setting: a charming country with good people.
- Rosebelle, a beautiful and kind young woman, marries Prince Greatheart and moves to his old castle in the country.
- Her father, a widower, expresses his deep love and concern for her well-being, instructing Greatheart to protect her from all harm.
- Rosebelle lives a life of complete ease, with numerous servants fulfilling her every desire, doing nothing but living and loving.
- Despite her perfect life, Rosebelle mysteriously languishes, falling into deep melancholy and losing her beauty and vitality.
- Her father and husband are distressed; doctors from distant lands are consulted but cannot identify or cure her 'indefinable ailment'.
- An old shepherd suggests consulting a local 'sorceress' who lives in a dark cave.
- Greatheart takes Rosebelle to the sorceress, who, after observing Rosebelle, declares she can cure her with the help of 'ten little fairies'.
- The next day, the sorceress performs a ritual, seemingly placing invisible 'fairies' into Rosebelle's ten fingers, and instructs her to keep them constantly moving while awake.
- Rosebelle diligently moves her fingers for many days, even foregoing meals, but eventually tires of the 'useless play' and returns to the sorceress.
- The sorceress reveals the 'fairies' desire useful employment and instructs Rosebelle to use her fingers actively in tasks that interest her.
- Rosebelle begins playing her harp, then sewing, then gathering flowers and fruit, attending to the sick, and giving money to the poor, actively using her hands.
- She dismisses her servants, choosing to do things for herself, and finds joy and purpose in her daily activities.
- Rosebelle's health, beauty, and happiness return completely, and she is able to give her husband a heart full of love again.
- Fully cured, Rosebelle returns to the sorceress, who explains that the 'fairies' (her fingers) are proud to have saved her and are always needed for those pining from idleness.
Characters
Rosebelle
A young woman of seventeen, later eighteen, known for her exquisite grace and beauty. She possesses a delicate build, with a complexion that eventually regains a healthy rosiness. Her movements are initially languid but become active and purposeful.
Attire: Initially, she would wear the fine, perhaps restrictive, gowns of a noblewoman, likely made of silk or brocade in soft colors, reflecting her sheltered life. After her recovery, her clothing would become more practical for her active lifestyle, though still elegant, perhaps simpler linen or cotton dresses suitable for gardening or attending to others, with an apron for practical tasks.
Wants: Initially, she desires to be happy and to overcome the mysterious ennui that afflicts her, for the sake of her loved ones. Later, her motivation shifts to finding meaningful activity and regaining her health and joy.
Flaw: Her primary weakness is her initial idleness and lack of purpose, which leads to profound ennui and a mysterious illness. She is overly sheltered, making her vulnerable to the psychological effects of inaction.
She begins as a beautiful, sheltered, and happy young woman who falls into a deep ennui after marriage, despite having everything. Through the sorceress's guidance, she learns the value of active engagement and purposeful work, transforming into a vibrant, compassionate, and self-reliant individual who finds true happiness.
Initially gay, good, simple, and gentle, she becomes mysteriously weary and languid, struggling with ennui. She is loving and devoted to her husband and father. Through her recovery, she demonstrates courage, energy, and a newfound sense of purpose and compassion, becoming active and self-reliant.
Greatheart
A handsome youth, carefully reared, with a strong build suitable for someone who enjoys nature and potentially activities like hunting or riding. His posture would be noble and concerned, reflecting his worry for his wife.
Attire: He would wear the attire of a nobleman or prince's son, likely practical but refined, suitable for country living. This might include tailored tunics or doublets made of fine wool or velvet in rich, earthy tones, breeches, and sturdy leather boots, perhaps with a cloak for travel.
Wants: His primary motivation is Rosebelle's happiness and well-being. He wants her to live and love, and he seeks a cure for her mysterious illness at any cost.
Flaw: His inability to understand or cure Rosebelle's ennui, despite his boundless love and resources, highlights his limitation in addressing psychological distress.
He remains a constant, loving figure, initially struggling with despair over his wife's illness. His arc is one of steadfast support and eventual relief as Rosebelle recovers.
Tender, good, loving, and devoted to Rosebelle. He detests false excitements and loves nature. He is deeply concerned and eventually despairing over his wife's illness, showing a capacity for great suffering and unwavering support.
The Old Sorceress
A very old woman, described as having a crooked thumb and fleshless fingers, implying a gaunt and wizened appearance. Her movements are surprisingly energetic, as she laughs, dances, and sings.
Attire: She lives in a rocky dwelling and is described as having a bare bosom when she conceals the 'fairies', suggesting simple, perhaps tattered, clothing. She would wear rough, homespun garments, likely dark or earthy tones, possibly a shawl or cloak made of coarse wool, reflecting her life outside conventional society.
Wants: To help those suffering from ennui by guiding them to self-reliance and purposeful activity. She seems to enjoy her role as a healer and teacher.
Flaw: None explicitly stated; her wisdom and methods appear infallible within the story's context.
She serves as a catalyst for Rosebelle's transformation, guiding her without directly revealing the truth. She remains a wise and unchanging figure.
Wise, perceptive, enigmatic, and playful. She understands human nature deeply and uses clever, symbolic methods to guide Rosebelle to a cure. She is also somewhat theatrical and enjoys her role.
Rosebelle's Father
A great nobleman, likely of a distinguished appearance, though no specific details are given. His posture would convey his concern and love for his daughter.
Attire: The fine attire of a great nobleman, likely rich fabrics like velvet or silk in deep colors, perhaps with subtle embroidery, reflecting his wealth and status.
Wants: To ensure his daughter's happiness and protect her from any harm or distress.
Flaw: His inability to understand or cure Rosebelle's psychological suffering, despite his wealth and love.
He remains a static character, representing unconditional parental love and the limitations of material solutions for spiritual ailments.
Loving, protective, generous, and deeply concerned for his daughter's happiness. He is astonished and helpless when she falls ill, offering all he can.
The Ten Little Fairies
Invisible entities, described as 'tiny comrades' and 'wonderful little doctors'. They are not seen, but their presence is felt as a 'precious load' in Rosebelle's fingers.
Attire: Invisible, so no physical description.
Wants: To serve their mistress, the sorceress, and to cure Rosebelle by prompting her to engage in useful activity.
Flaw: They 'fly away' if one attempts to see them and 'go to sleep' if not kept active.
They are a symbolic device, representing Rosebelle's fingers and the power of purposeful work. They are 'returned' to the sorceress once their task is done.
Faithful, desirous to serve, and potent. They are 'imprisoned' in Rosebelle's fingers and 'desire not to go to sleep', implying a need for activity.
Locations
Rosebelle's Childhood Home
A grand mansion or noble's house in a charming, bright country, where men are good and women amiable and beautiful. It is implied to be a place of comfort and protection.
Mood: Sheltered, loving, idyllic, but ultimately leading to ennui for Rosebelle.
Rosebelle's upbringing and early betrothal to Greatheart.
Greatheart's Ancient Castle
A very old, great castle, the ancestral home of Greatheart's family, reached by roads hewn out of solid rock. It features immense, cold halls where echoes mysteriously reply. It is situated amidst great trees, by a winding river with willowy banks and tall poplars, bordering deep woods where the sun enters timidly.
Mood: Ancient, grand, somewhat cold and echoing, isolated, initially peaceful but becomes oppressive with Rosebelle's ennui.
Rosebelle's married life and the onset of her mysterious languor and weariness.
The Sorceress's Murky Dwelling
A dark, murky dwelling-place, possibly a cave or a very rustic hut, with a rocky roof from which herbs are suspended. It contains a crackling fire of pine-branches on a hearth, casting intermittent light on owls, ravens, cats, and rats with phosphorescent green eyes.
Mood: Eerie, mysterious, rustic, magical, filled with strange creatures and the scent of herbs and pine smoke.
Rosebelle seeks a cure for her ennui and receives the 'ten little fairies' (the instruction to use her hands).
Castle Gardens and Orchard
The castle's gardens and orchard, where Rosebelle gathers flowers and plucks fruit. These are places of active, purposeful movement.
Mood: Initially a place of renewed purpose and activity, leading to health and happiness.
Rosebelle's active engagement with tasks, leading to her recovery from ennui.