Most people in every kingdom had heard of the legend of fairies, but only some believed it to be true.  The legend said that whenever there was a weary knight coming home from battles with fierce dragons, rescuing damsels in distress, or some other mission, it has happened that they would come across a fairy fountain, usually within a small, inconspicuous cave. They would hear lovely voices singing from the inside of the cave, and the fairies would heal them of their injuries and fatigue, giving them the strength to get home. All good people believe this legend, but those with a trustless heart of stone refused to accept “any of this nonsense”, but in the back of their minds something told them that they were terribly wrong.

Once upon a time, there was a brave knight named Sir Charles.  He and his small group of knights were on their way home, weary and injured from their dragon battle. The evil dragon had been terrorizing a village, so the knights were called upon to slay the menace. The adventure was successful, but it was quite difficult.  Not all of them survived, and much of those who did were not in their best health. As they trudged up the mountains, a faint, but gorgeous voice echoed nearby. 

“Wait!” Sir Charles exclaimed. “Shh, I hear it!”

The other knights rolled their eyes and exchanged glances. “Fairies,” they muttered to one another with a chuckle.

“Hold on a second!” Sir Theodore abruptly cried. “I hear something too!” 

The knights, most of them reluctant, followed the song until they came across a small cave. “What fools!” Sir George, an older, grouchy knight exclaimed. “There’s probably nothing in there,” he continued to another knight, snickering at the comment.

“Let’s go!” Sir Theodore cried out, going after Sir Charles into the cave. 

The knights were wonderstruck when they beheld what awaited them.  In the middle of the fountain stood a beautiful fairy with smooth, pale skin.  Her hair was a long, blonde, wavy waterfall that reached her feet. Her wings, falling at her sides, were transparent, with shiny, colorful sparkles scattered about them.  She wore a long, flowing white dress. The fabric of the dress was the softest one could imagine, for the material was made of fairy’s silk, but no one knows where the silk comes from, or how the fairies make it.  Surrounding her were other many other fairies, but they were all tiny, with petite wings, long hair of various colors, and sparkles on their faces. They wore dresses made of fairy silk coming up to the knees. They chattered amongst themselves in a tongue none of the knights had heard of before. 

The tall fairy spoke: “I am Kalia, the Fairy Queen of this fountain.” 

Sir Charles knelt before her.  “My lady,” he entreated, “My men and I are weak and injured, and we wish to soak in your spring so that we may have the strength to continue our journey back to our kingdom.”  Behind him trembled the other knights, still speechless.

The fairy began to nod her head, as he continued, “I have heard many tales of you assisting others, and I just would like to give you a token of my gratitude, in case others have not.”  He opened a small, tan satchel made of a simple cloth and drew from it a flower. With pink, purple, and blue petals, the flower shone with an iridescent pixie dust. The mere scent made one smile and be overwhelmed with joy.

“This is not much, especially for you, my lady, but this is one of the rarest of flowers that my men and I were blessed enough to find,” he extended it to her in offering.

Kalia took the flower with her thin, delicate fingers and looked at it in wonder.  “You know, not many thank me. They give me words of gratitude, but I know in their hearts there is no real appreciation. But you, young man, have a heart full of humility and gratitude. Come, and soak in the fountain, my servants will tend to your injuries.”  Kalia gestured to the fountain and beckoned the knights. 

“Thank you, my lady,” responded Charles as he kissed her extended hand. The knights moved toward the edge of the soothing spring, and soaked their hands and feet in the purifying water. The tiny fairies healed them of their wounds by sprinkling fairy dust on them with their wands. All of the knights praised the fairies, but as they turned to leave, Kalia called them back.

“In return for your gratitude, I have something to give you,” she said, motioning to a pink-haired fairy who brought forth a tiny, instrument that mostly resembled a horn.  “If you are ever in need again, summon me with this, and my fairies will come to your aid.”

“Thank you, my lady,” Charles bowed and accepted the gift. As the men traveled home, Charles thought about the present he was given. When would he use it? Would he ever use it? 

“Sir Charles?” asked a younger, handsome knight with blonde hair, wrecking his train of thought. 

“Yes, Sir Owen?”

“I’m sorry for doubting you before, about the fairy.” 

Charles smiled, “It’s hard to believe in something that is hidden, is it not? But you know, when I was a young lad…..” Charles was interrupted by a ball of fire landing next to him and a shriek that only came from a dragon.  Above them flew the green-scaled monster, spitting more fire at them. 

“Ugh, not again!” groaned Sir Theodore. They beat the first dragon, yes, but they lost so many men in the process and did not want to lose any more.  He had no choice but to blow the instrument Kalia had given him. Seconds later, a multitude of fairies appeared. Speaking in an unfamiliar tongue, they waved their wands and zapped the dragon, turning the beast into a butterfly.  All of the knights were dumbfounded. They did not really think the fairies would still aid them; after all they did for them before. They thanked the fairies, and they in turn nodded their heads and vanished. 

It is hard to imagine that one small gesture of gratitude could change one’s life.