Australian Fairy Tales by James Hume-Cook

 

 

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY
CHRISTIAN YANDELL

PUBLISHED BY J HOWLETT-ROSS
MELBOURNE
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Registered by the Postmaster-General for transmission through the post as a book.

[Contents]

DEDICATED
TO
Keith, Madge and Kevyn,
whose appreciation
encouraged
the telling of the tales
and
prompted this publication.

 FORWARD

“None of the books about Fairies ever say a word about Australia! Are there any Australian Fairies, Father?”

Somewhat hastily, perhaps, I answered: “Why, yes, of course! Whole tribes of them!”

Instantly the order went forth: “Then you will please tell us about them the very next time you tell us a story!”

THE AUTHOR.

Melbourne,
Australia,
1925.

 

FOREWORD.

By the RT. HON. W. M. HUGHES, P.C., M.P.

Formerly Prime Minister of Australia.

War and Science between them have played havoc with the old order. Ancient landmarks have been swept away; cherished superstitions exposed. The World has changed, but man remains the same. His faith in Kings may have gone, but his belief in Fairies remains. In childhood, he lives to-day as he has lived throughout the ages, in a world which knows not change, and where the cold, hard light of science can never penetrate. A wonderful world, inhabited by glorious beings with shimmering wings and glittering diadems and wands; to whom nothing is impossible; for whom neither time nor space exist, save at their will.

“Where is this wonderful world?” sneers Mr. Gradgrind; “I cannot see it—it does not exist!” No, not for you, my dear Sir! You are one of those who are not privileged to pass its magic portals. But it is a very real world for all that. It may indeed turn out to be no less real than this, which is the only one you deem worth knowing, and which it is very obvious you do not know at all.

It is the world in which the children of all the world live: the world of Bogies and Dragons, Fairy Princes and Princesses, Giants and Giant Killers. It is the world we knew so well when we, too, walked with fearful joy amid its mystic, thrilling groves. To dull and prosaic souls it does not exist, for, lacking imagination, they walk in outer darkness. Those fairy forms—so real to the vivid mind—are to them but the shadows of trees in the flickering light of the moon.

Hitherto, the Fairies we have known, though very delightful beings, have had their habitat in far-off lands. Thanks to the researches of Mr. Hume Cook, we are now able to wander through the enchanted Bush with real Australian Fairy Princes and Princesses; share in the thrills of their amazing adventures; rejoice in the triumph of virtue; and be glad at the downfall of vice.

The dwellers in Australian Fairy Land, although akin to those of other climes, have a distinct character of their own. Even the wicked Desert Fairies endear themselves to us. Although they do not vomit fire, as did the dreadful dragon of our childhood, one feels that, given a sporting chance, they would make that boastful beast curl up like a salted worm.

As for the other Fairies, everybody will love them. The stories are well told, and the book is beautifully illustrated. Mr. Hume Cook’s book is, in very truth, a really and truly Fairy Story Book, which Australian children of all ages will read with avid interest and take to their hearts.

Signature: W. M. Hughes.

 

CONTENTS.

The Magic Well    13
The Fairy City    35
The Prince’s Palace    53
The Prince’s Marriage    71
The Skylark’s Story    88
Gourds and Quinces    92
The Grape Vine’s Story    94
When the Stork Called    97
The Raindrop’s Story    98
The Door Mat’s Story    104
Clover Perfume’s Story    108
Music’s Story    115
The Moon’s Garden Party    121
 

COLOURED PLATES:

Prince Waratah goes to the rescue of the Princess    Frontispiece
The Arrival of the Shower Fairies    33
The Fairy City by Night    49
The Desert Fairies Kidnap the Princess    79
The Prince and Princess before the Recorder    85
The Mower and His Lady Meet the Queen    131

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