Erin and Adrian have been giving a lot of thought to fairies: What do they eat? Do they leave you presents? Can they help you fly? Can they be lured into a clever trap and made to do one’s bidding, particularly in regards to the aforementioned flying?
So Erin conceived a plan to build a house for visiting fairies, to draw them in and enchant them; to persuade them to stay; to help her fly. She is confused about the difference between fairies and pixies, not realizing, perhaps, that their dusts differ.
Emily helped Erin build and decorate her house and its furnishings. A tiny bed, with pillows and a blanket; an area rug; a table and chairs (with cushions). Erin also insisted there be a bridge for the fairies to use to approach the tiny dwelling, and a path strewn with coins and flowers. She left candy hearts on the table for her new friends; bait in the trap, or treats to influence friendship. I’m not sure.
And lastly, if you look carefully, you can see a small signpost next to the bridge. It reads, simply, “Fairies Welcome”.
I feel as though I should amend the sign to replace “Welcome” with “Beware”. Or perhaps place a picture of Admiral Ackbar somewhere nearby, to warn the tiny visitors that it’s a trap. Or maybe I should play “Hotel California” on a loop.
It’s sweet, really. Diabolically sweet.
I must be a sucker, because I think it’s awesome. Though you might encourage the “friendship” side of the coin and downplay the “trap” aspect–much more likely to get help from a friend than someone you’ve trapped, and Erin can’t learn that any younger. (My own kids have dabbled in fairy house building, but theirs have been much more twigs and trash, rather than bright colors. To each their own, but I like both ideas.)
@Gretchen in KS,
Unfortunately, no fairies were trapped. Though they did eat the candy hearts and leave little presents.
I love that this is the kind of thing we used to do when we were kids. No electronics…just imagination.
@Karen,
As I type this, both kids have iPads out.
Awwww…. This is awesome! I’m going to have to show it to my daughter and see if we can make one! :)
I know it’s just a bit of light-hearted fun and great that a dad is initiating this,;) but perhaps you could teach your children that fae aren’t tiny Disney like creatures but beings who remind us of the values of Nature, protecting the environment and appreciating the country? Also the idea of ‘letting be’ and being freedom-empowering rather than trying to ‘capture’ things like bugs would be preferable? In this mind-set then your children would hopefully grow up to be nature & life -respecting beings – letting wildlife and creatures be, rather than the rather common notion of having to ‘capture’ or ‘possess’ everything that many humans have? :)