ELF SILVER WINGS AND THE PRINCE

The Prince was lost.

He wondered in the dark forest for a very long time, leading his horse. They walked and walked until both were too tired to move any further. The Prince stopped by a little stream of water, and they both drank thirstily.

“What shall we do, Star?” Prince Dale asked his horse. He didn’t expect a reply, and so was very surprised when a voice said, “You should rest here a while, and then I’ll show you the way out.”

He turned and saw a tiny figure standing in the grass a little distance away from him. She was dressed in brightly colored green leaves of all shades, and even had a little green crown on her head. He saw that she had two beautiful gossamer wings that were silver and sparkled in the sunlight.

“Who are you?” he whispered.

“I am Silver Wings. I am an elf.”

“I’ve never seen an elf before.” The prince said softly. ‘Will you really show me the way out?”

‘Of course, I will. But you should rest first. Your horse is tired too.”

She sat with him as he and Star rested.

She told him tales of living in the forest, of the tree houses they built, of the birds and butterflies who were their friends. Of playing in the sun and swimming in the river. She spoke of lying in the grass, gazing up at the moon and stars at night, of watching the fireflies and night owls fly in the dark.

She made Prince Dale understand that the forest was not something he should be afraid of, and when many hours had passed and the prince and his horse were well rested, she showed them the way out.

“Thank you, Elf Silver Wings.” The Prince said as he waved to her one final time.

©2011 Jessica Gunawardena & Nicola Perera