Sapphire’s eyes shine translucent blue. He is a child unicorn, flirting with festive spirit by visiting his favourite haunt, Gemstone Glade. There he meets teenage unicorn Ryan. They enjoy a comforting connection, their eyes meeting, merriment and mirth flying between them. They are two of the few local unicorns who have wings, which has cemented their soul connection.

Sapphire is growing up fast, and he is only just beginning to realise the extent of his magical unicorn powers. He blinks shyly, then drops his horn to the fountain waters, asking quietly for something special to happen. His wings flutter as the water connects to his soul.

His horn suddenly glows pink, at the same time as the fountain waters run pink too. A pink square of light appears, about the size of a doorway. Sapphire looks questioningly at Ryan. He lowers his head, signalling a clear yes.

Sapphire flies through the doorway of light, followed by Ryan. They enter a pink world of fairy castles, pink clouds and pink rivers. Sapphire’s horn heats his head as it glows pink.

A pink pigeon flies round them. “You are here to take rose quartz healing energy to Planet Earth. Here…”

The pigeon coos, emitting a cloud of rose pink dust. “Breathe it in, take it with you!”

Sapphire and Ryan feel pink energy course through their veins. “Let’s take this to Planet Earth!” neighs Ryan. Sapphire neighs his agreement.

They fly back through the pink portal, to find themselves in a desert with pyramids and a Sphinx: they are in Egypt. “This is a land of the ancient,” remarks Ryan. They fly round the Sphinx, admiring its ancient architecture, and its withered wisdom. As they fly, pink dust clouds between them and then around the Sphinx.

The Sphinx’s eyes turn in to huge rose quartz crystals, and then emit a pink ray. Ryan and Sapphire stare in amazement, as the Sphinx turns its ancient head and surveys them. It is alive!

The Sphinx’s pink ray encircles Earth like the healing arms of an angel. It enters every hospital ward, and it eases every heart. Like a magic laser pen, it erases covid from the pages of Earth’s story. The covid chapter is finished. It is time for a new – a better – chapter.

“I think we have done what we came here to do,” mutters Ryan. The two unicorns fly back through the pink portal, unaware of the great healing taking place behind them, but certain that they have done some good.

They are back in Gemstone Glade. The portal closes behind them. Slowly, they drink from the fountain. Sapphire’s horn reverts to its normal white colour. The last of the rose pink dust fades in to the dying light.

However, in the corner of the Glade a rose quartz Sphinx has appeared. Ryan and Sapphire regard it, bemused. What magic have they brought back to the glade? One day, they will find out. For now, their adventure is over. It is time to sleep, and to dream of a white and rose pink Christmas.