by Bill Tiepelman
Golden Glow of Fairy Lights
Deep in the heart of the Whispering Forest, where the trees hummed melodies older than the stars and the streams giggled at their own jokes, lived a fairy named Marigold. Unlike her peers, who busied themselves with serious fairy duties like flower bloom synchronization or dew droplet alignment, Marigold was a rebel—or, as she liked to call herself, an "enthusiastic freelancer." Marigold's favorite pastime wasn’t dancing on mushrooms or teaching fireflies how to form constellations, but rather playing pranks on unsuspecting wanderers who dared to stray into her magical domain. She once convinced a lost hunter that his boots were carnivorous, leading to a wild chase involving a very confused squirrel and a pair of airborne socks. Another time, she enchanted a bard’s lute to play nothing but the fairy version of elevator music, which, admittedly, wasn’t too far from its usual repertoire. The Rose of Radiance One particularly golden evening, as the sun dipped low and the forest bathed in its amber glow, Marigold was perched on her favorite mossy branch, twirling a radiant rose in her tiny hands. This wasn’t just any rose—it was the Rose of Radiance, a magical artifact that could grant its holder one wish, provided they could make the fairy laugh. The rose was a family heirloom, passed down from her grandmother, who had used it to summon the first-ever magical hammock, still regarded as one of the fairy world's greatest inventions. Marigold sighed. “How boring it is to sit around waiting for mortals to stumble into my forest. I mean, who even gets lost anymore? Everyone has those infernal maps on their glowing rectangles. What’s it called? Goo—Goo-something.” She tapped her tiny chin, trying to recall the name. Just as she was about to enchant a nearby spider into weaving her a hammock of her own, the unmistakable sound of heavy boots crunching through underbrush caught her ear. With a mischievous grin, she adjusted her flower-adorned dress, made sure her wings shimmered in just the right way, and poised herself for what she called “maximum whimsical impact.” The Lost Adventurer A man burst through the foliage, his face a mixture of determination and exhaustion. He was tall, with a scruffy beard and a suit of armor that looked like it had seen one too many dragon burps. In his hand, he carried a sword that shimmered faintly with a dull magical aura, though it was clear it hadn’t been polished in years. His name, as Marigold would later learn, was Sir Roderick the Resolute—but he preferred “Roddy” because he thought it made him sound approachable. “Ah-ha!” Roddy exclaimed, pointing his sword at Marigold. “A fairy! Finally, my quest for the Rose of Radiance ends here. Hand it over, and I shall spare your life.” Marigold burst out laughing, nearly falling off her branch. “Spare my life? Oh, sweet acorns, that’s adorable! Do you know how many humans have tried to ‘spare my life’? You’re the first one I’ve met who said it while wearing mismatched gauntlets.” Roddy looked down at his hands and frowned. “They’re… not mismatched! One’s just slightly older than the other.” “And they’re both from completely different sets,” Marigold pointed out. “Let me guess, you inherited one from your great-grandfather and the other from a bargain bin at Ye Olde Armor Mart?” Roddy’s face turned red. “That’s beside the point! I’ve come for the Rose, and I’ll not leave without it.” “Ah, the Rose of Radiance,” Marigold said, her tone dripping with mock seriousness. “To claim it, you must make me laugh. And I warn you, mortal—I have exceedingly high standards for comedy.” The Contest of Wits Roddy sheathed his sword, rubbed his chin, and began pacing. “Very well, fairy. Prepare yourself for a jest so clever, so refined, that it will leave you rolling on the ground.” He cleared his throat dramatically. “Why don’t skeletons fight each other?” Marigold raised an eyebrow. “Why?” “Because they don’t have the guts!” Silence. A cricket chirped somewhere in the distance, only to be shushed by its companion. “That was your big joke?” Marigold asked, her wings twitching. “I’ve heard better punchlines from frogs trying to croak serenades.” Roddy groaned. “All right, give me another chance. Um, let’s see…” He snapped his fingers. “What do you call a knight who’s afraid to fight?” “What?” “Sir Render!” Marigold blinked. Then she giggled. Then she laughed so hard that the branch she was sitting on shook. “Okay, okay, that was actually funny. Not hilarious, but I’ll give you points for creativity.” “Does that mean I get the Rose?” Roddy asked, his eyes lighting up with hope. Marigold fluttered down from the branch, holding the radiant flower in her tiny hands. “You’ve amused me, Sir Mismatched Gauntlets. The Rose is yours—but only because I’m in a generous mood. Use it wisely, and don’t do anything silly, like wish for infinite bacon or a lifetime supply of socks.” Roddy accepted the Rose with a bow. “Thank you, fairy. I shall use this wish to restore my homeland to its former glory!” “Oh, how noble,” Marigold said, rolling her eyes. “Humans and their noble quests. Well, off you go, then. And if you ever get tired of being resolute, come back—I could use a new partner in crime.” As Roddy disappeared into the forest, Marigold returned to her branch, chuckling to herself. She might have given away the Rose, but she’d gained a story worth telling—and in the end, wasn’t that the real treasure? The Moral of the Story And so, the Whispering Forest remained as enchanting and unpredictable as ever, with Marigold at its heart, ready to enchant, prank, and charm anyone brave—or foolish—enough to enter. The moral of this tale? Never underestimate the power of a good joke—or a mischievous fairy with too much free time. Bring the Magic Home Transform your space with the enchanting "Golden Glow of Fairy Lights" collection. This whimsical artwork is now available on high-quality products to bring a touch of magic into your everyday life: Tapestries: Add a fairy-tale glow to your walls with this enchanting design. Canvas Prints: Elevate your decor with a timeless, gallery-quality canvas. Fleece Blankets: Cozy up with a soft, coral fleece blanket that captures the magic of the forest. Tote Bags: Carry the charm of the Whispering Forest with you wherever you go. Explore the full collection and bring the enchantment of "Golden Glow of Fairy Lights" to your home today!
