Andrew Lang_Fairy Book 03 by The Green Fairy Book Page A

alight upon his head,
which proved to be a snow-white pigeon. Thereupon all the people
began to stare, and to run after him, so that he presently reached
the palace with the pigeon upon his head and all the inhabitants
of the city at his heels, and before he knew where he was they
made him Emir, to his great astonishment.
    As there is nothing more agreeable than to command, and nothing to
which people get accustomed more quickly, the young Emir soon felt
quite at his ease in his new position; but this did not prevent
him from making every kind of mistake, and so misgoverning the
kingdom that at last the whole city rose in revolt and deprived
him at once of his authority and his life—a punishment which he
richly deserved, for in the days of his prosperity he disowned the
Fowler and his wife, and allowed them to die in poverty.
    'I have told you this story, my dear Sylvain and Jocosa,' added
the Fairy, 'to prove to you that this little cottage and all that
belongs to it is a gift more likely to bring you happiness and
contentment than many things that would at first seem grander and
more desirable. If you will faithfully promise me to till your
fields and feed your flocks, and will keep your word better than
you did before, I will see that you never lack anything that is
really for your good.'
    Sylvain and Jocosa gave their faithful promise, and as they kept
it they always enjoyed peace and prosperity. The Fairy had asked
all their friends and neighbours to their wedding, which took
place at once with great festivities and rejoicings, and they
lived to a good old age, always loving one another with all their
hearts.
    By the Comte de Caylus.

Fairy Gifts
*
    It generally happens that people's surroundings reflect more or
less accurately their minds and dispositions, so perhaps that is
why the Flower Fairy lived in a lovely palace, with the most
delightful garden you can imagine, full of flowers, and trees, and
fountains, and fish-ponds, and everything nice. For the Fairy
herself was so kind and charming that everybody loved her, and all
the young princes and princesses who formed her court, were as
happy as the day was long, simply because they were near her. They
came to her when they were quite tiny, and never left her until
they were grown up and had to go away into the great world; and
when that time came she gave to each whatever gift he asked of
her. But it is chiefly of the Princess Sylvia that you are going
to hear now. The Fairy loved her with all her heart, for she was
at once original and gentle, and she had nearly reached the age at
which the gifts were generally bestowed. However, the Fairy had a
great wish to know how the other princesses who had grown up and
left her, were prospering, and before the time came for Sylvia to
go herself, she resolved to send her to some of them. So one day
her chariot, drawn by butterflies, was made ready, and the Fairy
said: 'Sylvia, I am going to send you to the court of Iris; she
will receive you with pleasure for my sake as well as for your
own. In two months you may come back to me again, and I shall
expect you to tell me what you think of her.'
    Sylvia was very unwilling to go away, but as the Fairy wished it
she said nothing—only when the two months were over she stepped
joyfully into the butterfly chariot, and could not get back
quickly enough to the Flower-Fairy, who, for her part, was equally
delighted to see her again.
    'Now, child,' said she, 'tell me what impression you have
received.'
    'You sent me, madam,' answered Sylvia, 'to the Court of Iris, on
whom you had bestowed the gift of beauty. She never tells anyone,
however, that it was your gift, though she often speaks of your
kindness in general. It seemed to me that her loveliness, which
fairly dazzled me at first, had absolutely deprived her of the use
of any of her other gifts or graces. In allowing herself to be
seen, she appeared to think that she was doing all that could
possibly be required of her. But,