Knowing when you're going to die isn't as horrible as it sounds.
Since I was eight years old, I have known the day when my life will end. Of course, my parents have known since I was first born. You see, when a fairy is first born, at least my kind of fairy, an elder comes in and announces that fairy's death day also. It's somewhat ironic, that on one's birth their death is also announced.
The only thing that isn't known, even by the elders, is how that fairy will die. Now, if a fairy is old enough, it is most likely they will die peacefully of old age and will be able to live a long, happy life. That is how most fairies die here. There is not much danger around to threaten us, and we are immune to sickness.
Still, there are a few who die much earlier and much more tragically. Some deaths are accidental and some are intentional, and no matter how hard they try, a fairy cannot escape his or her death.
It would just happen that I am one of the lucky few who die early. Now, I'm sure this should scare me, and at times it does make me sad that I will not live past my 25th birthday (which is actually very young for fairies). There's so much I will not be able to do because of this.
However, there is something about knowing your death that makes life so much more precious, and exciting. Knowing when you are going to die means you won't die until that moment. You're invincible. The fairies who are able to live a long life do it normally, and that's so boring. They could be just as invincible as I, yet they choose to stay at home because they have their whole lives to live, and adventure doesn't seem to be high on their list of things to accomplish.
My adventure is coming to an end, though. I am twenty-five now, and I only have a few days left. My life has consisted of traveling and exploring and doing things which j may not have been able to do if I were not "invincible." However, I wanted to spend my last days with my family. My parents are the only two who know when I am going die, and I could tell for a few months now that it was not easy for them. My mother would often look at me while she thought I wasn't aware. Today I finally brought it up.
"What are you thinking?" I ask her. She blinks, as if coming out of a trance.
"What was that, Keena?"
"You know it's coming. I was just wondering what you think about it."
My mother came to side beside me and took my hand. "It's not easy, looking at you and knowing I won't be able to look at you much longer. You are my light, Keena, and I hate the darkness. Still, I have accepted it, because to not accept it would just make it harder. How do you feel?"
I looked at her. "I've accepted it to. I'm not sure I can not accept it, since it's going to happen regardless. I'm not really scared, just sad. I'm not sure what to expect."
"Expect peace. I am not sure what is next, but I am hopefully it is so much better than this place. And there is no need to be sad. We will all be there with you soon after." She pulls me into her arms, and I have to hold back my tears.
I enjoy the next few days, and I feel as though I grew closer to my family and friends in those days. Yet, suddenly, the day is upon me and I am forced to decide where I want to go. I could stay with my family and have them watch me die. Or I could leave and die somewhere else. I chose the latter. If I am going to die, why not go in an exciting, mysterious way?
On that morning, my family stood around me as I said goodbye. I begin to turn and leave when my father says, "Where are you going to go?"
I smile. "It's a mystery."
Author note: I know, I know, this is a very depressing story, but I thought it would be interesting to tell. I read Billy Duffy and the Devil this week, which is about a man who makes a pact with the devil. The devil will give him a lot of money, but Billy will die after seven years. Bully outwits the devil and eventually dies of old age, but I thought I this idea of knowing when you will die was interesting. I also read a lot of fairy stories, so I wanted to incorporate that. The story of The Fairy of Dell mentions how fairies don't outwardly age much, but they do die of old age like humans, so I added that as well. I wanted to still make this story hopeful, even though it is about death.
Bibliography: This was inspired by the story of "Billy Duffy and the Devil" from Welsh Fairy-Tales and Other Stories by Peter H. Emerson. Inspiration was also taken from "The Fairy of Dell" From the unit Welsh (Emerson).
Image information: "River Fairy" by ClaraDon, 2010. Web source: Flickr
Continuing on with this unit, I am really enjoying the short stories about fairies. In More Short Tales of Fairies, I like how the story of Robert Roberts is different than the past fairy stories and I find it comical that the fairies tried to squash him with rocks. I am wondering since the topic of fairies giving money is so prevalent that I should add it to my storybook, or should at least write a story about it. Apparently fairies love their money.
I'm not sure how I feel about the story of the Pellings. The man kidnaps a fairy and she agrees to marry him. That sounds pretty shifty to me.
The story of Long-Lived Ancestors reminds me of the African stories I read a few weeks ago. The animals can talk and cross bread and they're very old.
The Short Tales of Wonder are a little odd. The story of the pig trough is interesting in that a fairy stabs the woman because she moved the pig trough in his way. It shows the spiteness of fairies.
The story of Billy Duffy and the Devil is such an interesting one. I feel like Billy should have learned his lesson the first time and should have lived his life better. Instead he was selfish. I think this idea is interesting though, that someone has an allotted time left on this earth, and if they screw it up, they don't get another chance. That could be good to write about.
The Story of John O'Groats is almost like the story of the prodigal son. It would seem though that the son does not have much conviction for his actions. However, it is still a nice story.
The Fishermen of Shetland is actually a really fun story. I love the addition of mermaids, which I haven't seen yet in any stories. I wonder what the merman looks like though, as he is able to go on land and it mentions him "standing." I also love the idea of fairies and mermaids working together. It is so interesting how the fairies are so concerned with helping the humans. That is not what I have pictures fairies to be like. I feel like there's a story in this, though I am not certain what yet. All in all, this unit gave me a lot to think about for my stories.
Bibliography: Welsh Fairy-Tales and Other Stories collected by Peter Emerson. Source link: Part B
Image information: "Oberon, Titania and Puck with Fairies Dancing" by William Blake, c.1786. Web source: Wikimedia Commons
For this week's reading, I chose Peter Emerson's Welsh Fairy Tales. It has a lot of good information about fairies. The first story, The Fairies of Caragonan, is a really fascinating story because the fairies are good and the Queen acts as though the humans are her subjects also. I'm really interested in the queen's daughter and what she is like. I only get a glimpse of her from this story and I'd like to know more about her. Perhaps I could write about her myself.
Three Short Tales of Fairies is interesting because it shows different sides of the fairies. The first set shows male fairies who care about the old blacksmith. This seems to be the first mention I have found of male fairies. The second set shows fairies who get their revenge after a man mistreats their gift. That could be interesting for a story. The third shows children turning into fairies. This is interesting, because I didn't know humans could turn into fairies. I wonder how that process works.
Next are Three More Tales of Fairies. The first story is interesting because the fairies seem very generous and fun, and they live underground. However, it is odd that the old man is not able to mention that he got the gold from the fairies. I wonder why the fairies do not like people telling others that the fairies gave them money. Perhaps they do not want it to become known. The last story is very intriguing, because I'm writing about changelings. The reason the fairies switched one of theirs for the woman's child is because once again they were angry that the woman told her husband where she got the money from.
I really don't like the Story of Gelert, probably because I hate when animals die. It is such a sad story and I wish the prince didn't kill Gelert.
The Origin of the Welsh is an interesting story, because once again fairies came from other beings, this time birds. I am wondering if fairies existed before this or if this is meant to be the creation of fairies. It is interesting either way.
The story of the Crows is intriguing, but I'm not sure what to make of it. It is cool how crows seem to foretell the future. I could use that in a story.
Fairy of the Dell is a really great story. I like how the fairies are against evil magic and how they want to help people. I am also glad the witch became good and was redeemed. One thing that I thought was interesting was that the queen said that fairies die of old age, but they themselves do not age outwardly. That is a really unique idea and I may use that for my story. All in all, this unit has been very good so far,
Bibliography: Welsh Fairy-Tales and Other Stories collected by Peter Emerson. Source link: Part A
Image information: "Take the Fair Face of Woman, and Gently Suspending, With Butterflies, Flowers, and Jewels Attending, Thus Your Fairy is Made of Most Beautiful Things" by Sophie Anderson. Web source: Wikimedia Commons
