Gemstone Glade fairy Sodalite Sarah loved coffee. She could summon enchanted portals to take her to the best coffee shops anywhere in the world. Every week she ended up somewhere different, a tiny tourist with sparkling blue wings. Only children could see her, as she hovered by unsuspecting adults and then swept over the side of their coffee mug, inhaling the bewitching spell of coffee, a mightier magic than many a fairy could muster.
Her favourite coffee was caramel latte. Any coffee shop customer who quietly sipped one in the corner made her day, so much so that she waved her wand above them to grant good luck energy.
Today she found herself outside Coffee Creatures, a seashore café with pictures of fairies in its window. Sarah chuckled, for little did they know that fairies were indeed real … complete with a weakness for coffee beans. She flew inside.
Then Sarah looked up to find a barista staring straight at her, their green eyes twinkling under tumbling down auburn hair, a sassy smile on their lips. Then the barista winked.
The barista could see her.
It was the beginning of a friendship that linked a small town English coffee shop with a magical forest glade in a far off dimension. Sarah would return here again, and again, and again. She whispered secrets in to the barista’s ear, and she taught her how to make coffee with a touch of fairy wing dust, a sprinkle of dreams coming true tonic.
Beryl the barista longed to travel the planet. So Sarah conjured up portals and transported her to the best coffee shops the world over. Beryl’s smile was stuck on her face like a stamp, a postcard from Gemstone Glade, a messenger of magic. And then the day came … Sarah asked Beryl to journey to Gemstone Glade. Never before had a human stepped foot there. All the crystalline fairies awarded Beryl a hero’s welcome. It was time to party to the smell of super strong coffee. It was time for fairy magic to begin … And it was time for all Beryl’s dreams to come true.
So next time you sip your latte in a coffee shop, look up and blink. There, just at the edge of your vision, can you catch the fairy wings, a spark of blue seen then gone? And while you drink your coffee, please dream of all you desire, for you never know, a fairy with a wand may be just above you, waiting to grant your every wish. And never stop believing in magic, for it is there everyday, in the taste of coffee, in the sunrise, in the moon at night. It is somewhere deep in your heart and when you find it the mundane becomes marvellous. May all your coffees be barista perfect, and may all your dreams come true.
Fairy Rhodochrosite Ruth possessed only one special gift, the ability to turn roses in to rhodochrosite crystal. And each crystal rose would contain the dreams coming true magic known only to fairies.
As Ruth swept through Gemstone Glade today she felt sad. There were no more roses to practice with in the forest at large. She had a talent … but no toys to play with.
Then magic struck her like a diamond crystal arrow, a weapon of wizardry that lit the glade with bright pink light. It was an enchanted portal, and impossible to resist its sweet radiance.
On the other side, Ruth found herself in a children’s school playground. What am I doing here? she thought nervously. Then she saw it. A rose garden at the far end of the playground, likely cared for by little hands, childish laughter linking with rose magic to create a special space of joy.
Ruth closed her eyes and used her fairy power to enlarge to human size. She had a feeling she would be staying for a while, so best to fit in.
Then she set to work. The next morning, children arrived in the schoolyard to screams of bewilderment, the sunshine of delight trying to break through the clouds of disquiet.
For every rose was now a beautiful pink crystal flower. Little did they know that this was enchanted rhodochrosite crystal.
As the children touched them, rose crystals fell in to waiting hands. These were dreamcatcher crystals. Fast forward fifteen years … and dream happy ever after careers had taken hold. From Postman Pat to astronaut, from ice skater to brain surgeon, from pop singer to policeman, every child achieved their secret wish in life.
And Ruth followed each destiny like a lab technician tending plants. She had chosen to stay in the village, keep her new body and earning her living as a magician, a very easy job for a fairy.
The dust of dreams come true dazzled her eyes. It was time for new magic, she had achieved her goals here.
The day had come to whisper rose-tinted poems elsewhere. She snapped her fingers and the pink portal appeared again. Rose grinned with the mirth of a magician.
First, she arrived at Anglesey Abbey Gardens in Cambridgeshire, UK. The scent of roses teased her brain. She smiled with the satisfaction of a five year old truly believing they would be an astronaut one day. There was work to do here.
Then Ruth portal flew to the rose garden at The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California. Here she found heaven, and vowed never to leave.
However after some weeks another portal opened unannounced, and transported her to the Roseraie du Val-de-Marne in France. A celebration of roses embraced her like a soft summer wind. Ruth had finally found the happiness that had eluded her all her life.
One day she would return to Gemstone Glade, and what tales she could tell. Until then, she would heal the world … one rose petal at a time. And like a rose, Ruth’s pink prayer would last forever.
Crystal fairy Amethyst Anne flew around Gemstone Glade as if seeking something, perhaps the meaning to life itself. She waved her hands erratically, softly singing a lullaby. “I need something new in my life,” she suddenly cried. “A new chapter of fairycraft, a chance to make dreams come true just like we are born to do …”
Little did Anne know, in a dimension far away school children stared at the charming fairy house in their playground, the idea of new teacher Mrs Whyte. “All it needs now is a fairy!” laughed Stephanie.
Anne continued her demented dance, until the portal of purple light opened up before her. She laughed as she effortlessly flew in to the light. At the end of the tunnel … she found a perfect fairy house. “Why, this was made for me!” she shrieked.
It did not take long for the children to see her, however the teachers could not. She became an instant playground hit. The school hushed to gentle giggles, the shriek of bored children dissipating in a fairy wind.
Anne was determined to pay in kind for her wonderful new house. So she did the only thing she knew … she made dreams come true.
The village gained fame for the number of lottery winners who suddenly lived there. Stray kittens appeared in gardens, pawing at closed doors and melting hearts in every street. The school hockey team won every tournament.
However best of all, the children were happy, magic massaging their young souls, the beauty of the unreal in their eyes, the poetry of life in their hearts.
“I wish our fairy would meet the man of her dreams!” sighed Sophie one day. “She deserves some happiness!” A little shimmer of fairy magic misted her eyes.
And so it came to pass that Amethyst Alex arrived. Anne was bemused. Where had this prince charming come from? He explained that he was a Crystal Cave fairy, a magical cave in of course a dimension far far away. A shining purple portal had opened for him and he found himself here.
Love lingered in his eyes. Anne smiled. Perhaps it was time for her own dreams to come true too …
Tiny feline Tessa somersaulted round her garden chasing a white butterfly, its colour matching her own stomach and paws. A black and white beauty, her coat gleamed in the early morning sun.
Amber eyes shone with feline fun. Today impossible itched in her mind, the promise of something so much more, the whisper of wonder … and there it was. In front of her. A glowing white ball of light, the music of memories unmade beyond. She jumped in to the bright sphere as purrs erupted deep inside. Impossible stroked her head … as her eyes danced with disbelief.
A bird song disco of a forest glade confronted her, a little piece of heaven in green leaves and grey fountain stone. There before her, like a vision from a perfect catnip-scented dream, stood a black and white unicorn. He stared in to her eyes with avid attention, then he spoke using the ancient art of telepathy.
“Hello feline visitor, my name is Domino. I am one of the legendary black and white unicorn herd. We usually hide in our own little world, today I am exploring the magic of Gemstone Glade that is known and spoken of through many galaxies. We live beyond the clouds in Zebracorna, a world between worlds. I can show you.”
Making patterns in the air with his black horn, Domino neighed softly. Black and white steps appeared, reaching for the clouds above. Tessa followed Domino as he ascended. They arrived in a world of violet trees with a purple sun in the sky.
“Welcome to Zebracorna. Let me introduce you to my friends.”
Four unicorns approached, all black and white, two with black horns, and two with silver. “Welcome curious cat cousin, black and white like we are. We can teach you to use the healing energy of black combined with white.”
A unicorn gently touched Tessa’s head with his horn. She felt heat in her chest. “You now have access to black and white magic.” Tessa purred.
She returned via the glade to her home. However Tessa would never be the same again. Wherever she went, she would spread black cat luck and unicorn magic. And everyone who stroked her … would see their wildest dreams come true.
So Tessa led the best life, magic in her meows, the promise of possible in her purr, happiness in her heart like a unicorn horn on fire.
Perhaps one day she would find Gemstone Glade again. Until then, she would spread her molten magic, enjoying the sweet enigma of her black and white soul. For black and white cats are surely the greatest felines of all.
Pony princess Unlessa trotted in to Gemstone Glade, a glimpse of glamour among the trees, a hint of hope in her eyes, a flower pattern unicorn like no other.
Her mother was the one and only Molly the Magnificent, unicorn of myth and magic. While pregnant with Unlessa, Molly too came to Gemstone Glade to drink its healing fountain waters. It was here that a rare benefica butterfly landed on her stomach, emitting its protective powers to the baby beneath. Benefica butterflies have flower patterns on their wings. Unlessa was born to marvel and mystification: she had flowers painted all over her extraordinary body.
Unlessa bowed her head to the fountain, drinking with joy. Then she spun round, and pointed her horn to two flies overhead. By molten magic, they turned in to benefica butterflies, little rainbows with wings.
One butterfly flew through a portal of green and pink light, and found itself in a small garden. Flying towards a ginger haired girl on a swing, it landed on her hand like a blessing from heaven, a living floral poem. The girl shrieked with delight.
Many years later, the teenage Sandra would write a book: Butterfly Bling. It followed the lives of high school children navigating life … with the help of magical butterflies. The book was published; suddenly butterflies were firm fashion. And as if summoned by sorcery, benefica butterflies appeared everywhere, confounding science and testing theories on their origin.
Many dimensions away, Unlessa stepped once again in to Gemstone Glade. There were no benefica butterflies today. However bluebottle flies battled the wind around the fountain. Time for magic … Unlessa waved her horn, and the flies transformed in to benefica butterflies, beauty with beating wings, a promise of possible as they rose as one and flew away. And wherever they landed, magic would follow as a sunrise at the end of the night. And like a pastel sunrise, the butterflies would inspire hope in all hearts touched by them.
Look out your window now … you may just see one, there high above, a glimpse of glamour, a breath of colourful beauty, a vision quickly gone, but never forgotten.
Unicorn Ryan danced around the Gemstone Glade fountain, Christmas sparkle in his heart. Christmas was his favourite time of year, and this year extra special for he had been gifted a new magical stone tablet, a portal opener to other worlds.
“I am Alfred, dragon of Christmas. However I no longer celebrate. No one believes in dragons on Earth anymore. I used to attend stone circles at the winter solstice and add my golden smoke to bonfires. Or I would find valiant knights and gift them golden dragon energy. But today … no one cares.”
“I am sure there would be someone out there who would love to meet you this Christmas,” said Ryan. “How did you find you valiant knights?”
“My golden intuition would know where to go.”
“So why can’t you use your intuition again this year? There must be someone who needs a bit of dragon magic this Christmas.”
The dragon sighed. “Very well. It is not easy coming out of retirement … “
“It will be fun,” Ryan reassured him.
So Ryan and Alfred flew through yet another golden portal, and drifted like a dream through the night sky over London, UK.
“There is someone special in that house down there,” proclaimed Alfred.
And so a unicorn and a dragon landed in a quiet suburban garden. A light switched on downstairs, then she was at the door. A diminutive woman with red hair and shining green eyes. She did not appear to be scared.
“We are here to bring you Christmas cheer,” Ryan quickly told her, again using telepathy.
The woman looked surprised, then smiled. “I am Violet, and I am a writer. I prayed today for inspiration. And here it is … “
Alfred breathed out golden smoke, and his eyes smiled. “Let me tell you my story.”
He spoke in to the early hours of the morning. And so it came to pass, that Dragon of Christmas was written and published by the next Christmas. Children everywhere would read of this magical dragon … and yes, some of them would believe in him. Christmas magic would melt in their hearts, as Christmas words healed the world.
And Alfred would return, each Christmas, spreading golden smoke high over the land. Look up to the night sky now, and you may see him, a line of gold among the stars. And if you harbour a secret wish, let the strength of golden dragon smoke support you … as your dreams come true.
We wish all readers golden dragon sparkle this Christmas, and every Christmas. And may children always believe in magic, stories of the impossible welcome in their hearts.
Happy Christmas from Ryan the Unicorn, Alfred the Dragon and all the Gemstone Glade fairies.
Unicorn Ryan entered Gemstone Glade with hope in his heart. There was a new magical stone tablet, waiting to transport him to other worlds. What would he choose today?
Ryan gently touched his horn to the Christmas Cave text. A portal of green and red light opened before him. So here he was again, jumping blind in to an unknown adventure.
A sand swept shore led to a cliff with caves at its foot. Music floated on the air like a voice from deep inside the rocks.
Ryan trotted towards the first cave, excitement etched in his deep eyes. Within its dark interior, Christmas elves were singing while wrapping presents. Red and green clad little men with pointed ears and mischief melting in their smiles. Christmas cheer lit in Ryan’s heart. This was the best adventure ever.
“Hello, unicorn from across the sea,” sung a high voice. “What brings you to our lair today?”
“I am here to help if you need me,” said Ryan simply using the ancient art of telepathy.
“We don’t see unicorns on Planet Earth anymore. Do you come from a magical land from afar?”
“I have come from Gemstone Glade, home to unicorns and fairies, the heart of our mystic forest.”
“Fairies? It is a long time since we have seen any, now no one on Planet Earth believes in them. We have a bag somewhere full of tiny crystal fairy jewellery. We have no one to give it to.”
“I will take it to them,” proclaimed Ryan. “You can place a bag between my wings.”
“That would be great. You couldn’t do us another favour? Angela, the Christmas Angel, is in the next cave. She has been asleep since last Christmas. She refused to work anymore as Christmas is no longer magical on Earth. Please wake her up? We need some angel blessings this year.”
Ryan entered the next cave. A glowing light accosted his eyes, a shining angel before him, lying on a rock in serene sleep, radiant wings covering her body like a blanket of bliss. Ryan slowly nodded his horn towards her.
The angel opened her eyes. “A unicorn! I haven’t seen one of your kind in centuries.”
“It is time to weave your wondrous magic,” said Ryan. “Will you accompany me to Gemstone Glade?”
So Ryan jumped back through the portal to Gemstone Glade with a mighty angel and a bag of fairy jewellery on his back. The fairies flew around them, screaming with dizzy delight.
“A tree of stars!” breathed the angel. “This is an enchanted place. It looks like you don’t need angel blessings here, but I will give you some anyway … it is Christmas after all.”
So the angel asked all the fairies for their wildest dream. Soon, the glade was full of fine food and shining new fairy clothes. They were not difficult to please.
Then the angel caught a star at the top of the tree, and together they flew in to the night. If you look up to the night sky now, you may see them … a shooting star that shines for Christmas, that sparkles to lift every heart on Earth, that glitters with a magic that can never fade. May your Christmas be everything you wish for, and may every shooting star gift you a dream come true. Happy Christmas.
Fairy Amethyst Alice flew round Gemstone Glade, alighting on the fountain rim. Softly she sung an ancient lullaby of the crystal amethyst, and the story of her crystal fairy clan.
A purple leaf floated towards her on the wind. Alice stopped singing. Could this be … the fabled invitation to fly to Amethyst Wood? It was an enchanted forest whispered of during night-time stories, a myth that may be true, the final chapter to the amethyst saga that lay unread and unheard …
Alice climbed on to the leaf, and it threw her in to the clouds. Then far below she observed a secret to devour all secrets, a legend come to life. Purple trees swayed beneath her.
The leaf landed in a forest glade, similar to Alice’s home Gemstone Glade however in hues of shimmering purple.
Alice flew over an amethyst fountain, diving deep in to its waters, emerging energised and smiling.
Above a violet dove flew in to the glade, cooing softly. Alice clapped her hands in delight. “Come with me,” said the dove telepathically in her head. Alice did not need to be asked twice. She climbed on to the dove’s back, and they were gone.
They entered a cloud of amethyst dust, and emerged above the Scottish city of Edinburgh, its soft night-time lights enhanced by the radiance of a full moon.
The dove flew around St Giles Cathedral, then landed on a spire. Alice began to sing her lullaby.
The cathedral glowed purple. Passersby stopped to stare, disbelief dancing with delight in their eyes. As images circulated the world, many believed it to be a sign. Tourists booked their next holiday to Edinburgh, excitement etched on their hearts in shining violet.
Ten year old Aveline stared out her bedroom window, as the moon glowed violet. She smiled, wiping away childish tears of despair. She hated school, she detested her life.
Then on her windowsill as if by magic appeared a violet dove with a purple fairy on its back. Aveline smiled like a child who has never smiled before. She opened her window, and the dove and fairy entered. The fairy whispered stories as the dove cooed.
The next day, Aveline began to write. A story of a magical bird and its fairy friend. Later that year, her story would win the school talent content, as a thousand smiles lit in her heart.
On the day of the talent contest, magic murmured in the air. By the next morning, within St Giles Cathedral there had appeared an amethyst fountain complete with a dolphin statue spewing purple water.
Again, this was interpreted as a sign from heaven. Crowds descended like a flock of lost doves. And as a full moon licked the streets that night, magic played with stone like a kitten with paint. For a few minutes, the entire city glowed purple. Moonlight sung its ancient lullaby, and the city purred as peace descended. A message of miracles lit up Edinburgh like an enchanted candle in freefall. A radiant poem of promise … a glowing haiku of hope.
The sun cradled Gemstone Glade in its radiant hands. Under an ancient tree, the secret stone tablet shone with inner light. Words waltzed with the promise of a new adventure:
Pink Paradise Fluorite Farm Turquoise Town Fairytale Forest
Rainbow coloured unicorn Raya watched silently as unicorn Ryan touched his shining horn to the letters “Turquoise Town.”
A circle of glowing turquoise light appeared before them.
“Wait for me!” sung a soft voice. It was Turquoise Tanya, one of the many Gemstone Glade crystalline fairies. “You can’t enter a turquoise portal without me!”
Ryan neighed his consent. In happy unison, the two unicorns and crystalline fairy entered the pool of magic light.
Mountains stunned their eyes with silent grandeur. An air of mystery played with their minds. A pool of turquoise lava glimmered under a bright sun.
Giant turquoise beetles emerged from caves at the foot of the mountains, carrying turquoise crystals in their mouths. “They are miners,” breathed Ryan telepathically. “This is a turquoise crystal mill.”
Smoke climbed high from the top of the mountains. Then a roar caused the ground beneath them to shake.
A magnificent dragon crawled from the top of the nearest mountain, scales golden under the sun, green smoke fleeing its mouth like an army of mighty mist, fierce eyes regarding them from beneath a turquoise crown.
Then the dragon flapped its green and gold wings and sped towards them. Fear fingered Ryan’s heart, as Raya shivered beside him.
“Greetings, beasts from a foreign land. I am Taqueena, Queen of the Treasure Dragons. We guard valuable artefacts and ancient secrets. We also protect this planet’s bees, who make liquid turquoise honey. Welcome to Turquoise Tower Mountains, live volcanos containing turquoise crystal and mined here for the whole universe. We are a place of healing and protection. Our crystals bring luck and safety to all who wear them. But who are you? I can tell from your eyes that many stories have stirred your souls.”
Ryan bowed his agreement, and relayed his tantalizing tales, adventure like a sweet pill in his eyes, enigmas waiting to be explored. Read all Ryan’s adventures here
“Come with me in to the Turquoise Tower Mountains,” offered Taqueena, the promise of magic in her molten eyes. “I have something special to show you.”
The three adventurers followed the mighty beast down a large tunnel into the heart of the mountain. A beat danced in their ears, delightful drum music like a distant memory in sound. “It is the murmur of the mountain’s heart,” explained Taqueena. “This is a living mountain. Sometimes its spirit leaves in the night and dances on the seashore. But most of the time she lives here, invisible behind the turquoise walls.”
Then they arrived in a vast cave, turquoise crystal climbing its walls like magic ivy. In the centre of the space, a nest of eggs glowed with inner light. Ryan neighed softly, awe in his eyes. Meanwhile, Turquoise Tanya flew over the nest, waving her wand around ecstatically.
A crack split the silence in two. One of the eggs was hatching …
A tiny dragon slowly emerged, blinking in the dim light. Green scales mixed with golden stars on his small body. Taqueena gaspsed. “He is one of them. The ancient mystery dragons, unknown here for centuries. He has access to the magic of the stars. And you three … he has come for you. He has chosen you.”
Taqueena tenderly picked up the young dragon with her paw, and offered him to Ryan. The dragon rode inside his folded wing as the mismatched group exited the mountain. The sun was high in the sky outside. Tanya flew around Ryan with glee in her grin. This was fun.
“When he is old enough, I will find you again,” declared Taqueena.
“Gemstone Glade is the place,” advised Raya. “A portal will open for you I am sure.”
Above, clouds slid across the sky like sailing boats. Two covered the sun as they shapeshifted in to a vision of a dragon and unicorn.
The group gasped. Raindrops fell, hissing in the turquoise lava below. The baby dragon emitted a muted mini-roar, happiness erupting in his heart like a volcano.
One huge raindrop turned to gold as it hit Ryan’s horn. It fell to his feet.
“Why, it has turned in to a golden egg!” breathed Raya.
“A golden egg!” sighed Taqueena. “Let me take it, and keep it safe. If this births a golden dragon, blessed indeed are we. Pure golden dragons have not lived here in aeons. When they return … everything will change.”
The portal of turquoise light suddenly reappeared. “I guess it is time for us to leave,” said Ryan sadly as Taqueena retrieved the baby dragon.
“Don’t forget, when this dragon is old enough, I will find you,” promised Taqueena. “Before you go … one question. What is his name?”
Ryan closed his eyes in deep thought, then he uttered: “Miracle.”
And so the three returned to Gemstone Glade, mystery misting their eyes, their hearts aching for the day they would see Miracle again. Above, the sun still shone, a silent witness to all below. The Gemstone Glade fountain hummed its quiet song, as crystalline fairies flew around them, eager to hear their story.
Ryan walked towards the secret tablet, and perused its words. The next adventure beckoned …
The Gemstone Glade Christmas Tree shone in the soft winter sunlight, its rainbow baubles like little stars.
Fairy Sodalite Sue flew round the tree, Christmas joy in her bright eyes. She stopped at the blue bauble, its colour close to her own. Sue waved her wand ecstatically, hoping something would happen.
She was not disappointed. The bauble turned in to a huge star shaped portal of blue light. Sue laughed as she flew in to blue bliss.
A blue sky kissed an evergreen forest like a long lost friend. Sue flew among the trees, breathing in the scent of a thousand springtimes. Wooden birdhouses hung from branches. Sue laughed as a bluebird swooped above and then beneath her.
More bluebirds appeared, flying high in the trees and singing in unison. Sue laughed as delight danced in her brain. Then she saw her.
A small lady with light blue skin walked through the forest, a long blue dress bedecked with crystals flowing like a sighing sea around her. A crown of blue crystals topped her head. Her huge sapphire eyes gazed upwards, and focussed on Sue.
“Welcome, fairy! I have never met a crystalline fairy before. From where do you come?”
Sue landed on the lady’s hand, and described Gemstone Glade.
“I am Princess Ariana, I am protector of the birds of this land. You are in Avian World, a sanctuary for our feathered friends. All birds anywhere can come here through a magic portal that will open when needed. But Gemstone Glade sounds so exciting … can you take me there?”
So Sue escorted Princess Ariana to the blue star portal. Ariana was enchanted by Gemstone Glade. Two white doves flew above, and dropped a feather in to her hands. Bluebirds entered through the portal and played in the fountain, and then perched next to the golden angel at the top of the Christmas Tree.
The angel came to life, climbed on to one of the birds and as one they flew around the glade, then through the blue star portal to Avian World. The angel did not return; Sodalite Sue imagined her setting up home in a birdhouse palace deep in the forest.
Princess Ariana joined the fairies as they hosted a magical fairy picnic. A day for camaraderie and celebration, the fairies were keen to learn about the birds of Avian World. More birds from the Gemstone Glade forest joined them, an eagle, a phoenix and an owl among them. Ariana told them they were welcome in her world anytime.
Then it started to snow. Birds, fairies and princess alike caught snowflakes in their hands or beaks, and enjoyed bounteous blessings. For snow here heals your heart and massages your mind, a tonic for the weary.
Princess Ariana sang for the assembled audience, with the voice of a songbird. Birds perched on her shoulder, joining in. A chorus of Christmas charm warmed the winter air.
May music bless your own Christmas, and enchanted stories stoke your soul. And may songbirds light your way. Merry Christmas everyone.
Gemstone Glade 