You know, I've been hearing whispers about more than the usual amount of fey activity, lately. For instance, Dick may have mentioned that a few of the chickens have started popping out eggs with stripes and spots on 'em. Nothing to harm folks, pretty even, but strange enough, all the same. The family eats those for themselves, rather than sell 'em. And when they do so, they make sure to say out loud how tasty they are - in case there's a brownie or summat listening that did it. It's always a good idea to let the fey-folk know you appreciate their efforts.
But don't go using the words 'thankful' or 'grateful', though. They'll hold you to that like a contract, and want something from you for it. But just remark out loud that something they caused is pleasant, and it'll please them. Maybe they'll do more pleasant mischief; I've heard of some people finding all their shoes repaired or their tack clean after being appreciative of some cobs' work. And the households that make a habit out of leaving out some cream for the wee folk do seem to suffer less from insects in their stores. If you don't make notice of their efforts, though, the small people withdraw their tiny bits of help, and life just gets a little harder. And if you upset them, well, you might as well give up on any kind of prosperity at all. Every shoestring will break, your dishes will crack, and the mole-hills will make you stumble your way across the yard.
But it's not just farms that can benefit from the wee folks' blessings. If you make a habit of it, you can court their favor anywhere, and benefit from it. Why, the Goblin Spit that Willie makes - that's just the spillings from the bar, collected in a jug and some mint added - why, he doesn't make that for the patrons, though he'll sell it to them if they want it. That's for the fair folk that might wander by in the night for a drink. He leaves a small glass of it out every night, in case they get thirsty. Wilma puts a dish of cream out on the porch each morning, with a bit from the morning's baking beside it. And whether it's a cat that drinks the milk or a tomte taking a meal, I can't say. But I do note that her milk never sours early, and her bread rises beautifully.
All that said, though, that's just a few ways to get along with the regular wee folk that live around us. It's rare to spot them, or interact with them, though it's said we gnomes bear some relation to them. And I've seen a few fairies come through as travelers, wings and all - most of 'em about my size. I take pains to avoid bothering them, and I'm real polite if they strike up a conversation. You should be, too.
But I've heard rumors about more than just the typical wee-folk stirring about. Some traveler came through, mentioned hearing pixie music out in the woods, and saw some ribbons on the bushes, like lost decorations from a party. And he was coming in from the road out toward Juniper. Sure and it could have been something mortal, but folks out Juniper-way don't have any reason to be having parties, seems like.
Another one mentioned that there's fairy rings visible from the road in several places. That one was smart, and stayed on the road, and kept moving. Fairy rings could just be some mushrooms growing in a circle, like they do. Or they might just be an opening to the world of Faerie. And no saying which way the gate opens, or if it swings both ways. Have we got fae traveling in our area? Or maybe they've been stealing folk away to their realm.
I also heard a story about some pooks making a full copy of a traveler to prank his companions. They stole his shoe and flew off after a bit. We haven't had pooks in the woods nearby before now, not that I know of. And it concerns me a bit that we have them now. Dryads we've had, but generally quiet ones generally sleeping away the seasons in their trees.
You know, now that I think of it, I can't remember who it was told me those stories. I've usually got a good memory for story-tellers, but I just can't put my finger on it. Maybe that's one for my notebook of mysteries around here.
Either way, rumored sightings of the fey make a good reason to be sure you're behind a threshold at night, and to be sure to leave out an offering for the wee folk when you have a chance. Mayhap they'll keep you from the attention of their more ominous relatives.
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