Bridgett Faerie Leapt From the Flames

Bridgett Faerie leapt from the flames with a pop and a fizzle Delighting her elemental dad, Hellfire, wielder of the flame Her mother gave her the power to make leaves dance Her purpose not apparent yet, but she was magnificent. Hair in shades of copper we did not know had been invented. She stood on the tallest log and stared us down, Then she flew. New faeries can hardly ever fly. We gasped. "Forty-one years since I saw a first day flyer," one of the elderly brownies whispered. Bridgett landed next to her. "Hi!" she said. The whole council laughed. "She is precocious," one of the faeries said. Bridgett turned. I saw her face for the first time; oval with laughing caramel eyes. Her nose was a tiny ski slope, a tiny lift at the end. She wrinkled it. "Where are the leaves?" she demanded. "I want to get started." Even Hellfire was astounded; he had six daughters but not this one Until today. She would be a force to be honored and revered. Her snotty sisters began to make fun of her, pretending non-jealousy. Hellfire gave them a look and there was instant silence. "Are those my SISTERS?" Bridgett shrieked with delight. She flew over and hugged every one of them. Then she flew away. How could someone with such tiny feet be so assertive? No fairy had ever started working on their birthday before today. Oak tree leaves began floating down into the fire. The fire popped and crackled faster and faster. "I love this job!" Bridgett yelled from a branch forty feet up. Hellfire looked frightened for the first time. He had never had a daughter who was more like his wife. His wife flew past him to help her daughter. That rarely happens on birthing day either. "A mini-me-of-Enthusiasm Faerie!" someone said. Others cheered. Someone clapped Hellfire on the back. "Now there are two of them, he said."Good luck!" Bridgett's twin sister Brewit popped out of the flames next. "Surprise!" She yelled. "There are two of us Daddy!" Hellfire's mouth dropped open. He had felt outnumbered before. But never suffered anything like this. Brewit gave him a big hug. Then she flew up with to join her mother and her sister. A wonderful day in the woods, one we have never forgotten Although that was twenty-seven years ago. The story has been told thousands of times. And put into the imaginations of many. Their purpose: Joy.