The Dusk Fairies' Wild Party

One afternoon, Benny Baby was fast asleep in his cot for his daytime nap. Mummy gazed outside her dining room window with a glass of water in hand. She was enjoying the quiet of this time of day, and marvelling at the blue of the sky and the wind that made the trees swish and nod their tops with its force. Cicadas sang their songs, birds chirped, and bees buzzed busily as they went about their busy bee business. 

Now, Mummy was used to seeing all this - all quite typical happenings of a hot summer day. What made her sit up in her chair and take notice was that she saw myriads of what appeared to be tiny little dandelion seeds floating about in the air. Some floated erratically, the way little moths do; some floated up and then down, some all around. They certainly did not come from any dandelions in the garden, Mummy thought, but she did not wonder too much at it. Presumably they had floated in from over the fence. 

What Mummy didn't know, and was too grown up to guess was that these little floating things were not dandelions, after all. They had tiny wings, and tiny faces, and wore brightly coloured clothes. Mummy's eyes were never the best - that's why she needed glasses. Otherwise, I suppose she might have noticed that these tiny people sparkled in the sun, like lights on a Christmas tree. But perhaps they were too tiny for Mummy to notice all that. 

There was, however, another observer of these little creatures under the grapefruit tree. The big Misha Monster, with his fluffy tail curled about his paws stared, and stared, and stared at them. He noticed that they had faces. Some looked friendly, some positively cheeky, and others looked too busy to be either friendly or cheeky. Most had a smile and a nod for him as they flew past.

"I say!" A familiar voice rang in The Misha Monster's ear. "Isn't it exciting? There's to be a wild party tonight for the Dusk Fairies!" It was the butterfly, who had alighted on Misha's nose, causing him to sneeze. The butterfly hurriedly flew up onto his forehead and made her perch there. The Misha Monster decided that he wouldn't try to look at her as it made him cross-eyed, and he couldn't stare solemnly at someone with effect if they were that close. 

He was naturally very pleased about the Dusk Fairies' wild party, but made as if he weren't. He knew that the Dusk Fairies usually laid out a saucer or two of milk for the cats who owned the gardens that they chose to host their parties in - as a sort of thanks for accomodating them. Some cats were nasty and chased the fairies away, but the Misha Monster and Minnie May were very gracious sorts when it came to fairies hosting parties in their garden. They were usually invited, too. The Dusk Fairies liked to have parties every time there was a full moon, and "there will be a full-faced moon tonight," the butterfly informed the Misha Monster. "That's why they are all so busy! They are making preparations for the party. I think the main set of it is to be in your mistress' flower garden. I'm sure they will invite Benny Baby along."

"Well, that's if a storm doesn't come along," the Misha Monster observed. "I feel one coming. My fur always twitches when a storm is near.  The wind is bringing more and more clouds along." The butterfly looked up at the sky. "That would be a shame!"

It turned out that the Misha Monster's fur was correct. A storm did come all of a sudden, with the sky getting dismally dark and then the rain set in. Torrents and torrents of rain pelted down, making all the Dusk Fairies dive for shelter underneath Benny Baby's windowsill. They cried in frustration and dismay at their bad luck. The noise of it woke Benny Baby and he rolled over in his cot to see where the sound was coming from. Just then, his friend Miss Butterfly flew in and told him of the Fairies' situation. "So they shan't be able to have their party," she finished, sadly. 

By now, the fairies flew up to look at the baby in his cot. They liked babies very much. They had stopped weeping and started smiling and pulling faces at him. Benny Baby made baby laughing sounds, which, if you've never heard them before, sound like very drawn out "huuuuuuuuurrrrrs". 

"Mmmggggg", suggested Benny Baby to the butterfly. She flitted her wings in excitement. "That's a wonderful idea! How clever you are, Benny Baby!" She turned to the Fairies, who were all agog at the thought of it. "But your Mummy will see us if we have our party in your Christmas tree," one fairy said, doubtfully. Benny Baby didn't think so. "Gggrrrr". The butterfly agreed. "There are already little lights on the Christmas tree," she explained to the fairies. "Mummy will only think that you are her Christmas tree lights. She won't guess for a moment that you are fairies. Anyway, I think it's a very good idea. You could even wait for Mummy and Daddy to go to bed before you start your party if you feel safer that way." After some excited discussion, the fairies agreed that they would use the Christmas tree, but only after the grown ups went to bed - "just to be safe," they chattered. Their voices were like clear bells, and made so much noise in their discussion that the Butterfly was afraid Mummy might hear them - but Mummy just thought that it was the bell on Misha Monster's collar. Luckily she didn't wonder what the Misha Monster was doing in the baby's room, and didn't come in to investigate. 

So, that night, around eleven o'clock when Mummy and Daddy retired for the night, the fairies flew out from beneath Benny Baby's door and gathered upon the Christmas tree. Benny Baby was fast asleep, but they left a little fairy dust upon his eyelashes to help him dream sweet dreams. 

Well! You should have seen the Christmas tree that night! It sparkled and shone with all the little people amongst its branches, and its boughs swayed with the dancing of their tiny feet. The Misha Monster and Minnie May sat at the foot of the tree and enjoyed a saucer of milk each from the fairies. The Butterfly turned herself back into a fairy lady so that she could dance with the handsome gentleman fairies. All in all, they had great fun. 

Benny Baby had the most beautiful dreams that night of partying with the Dusk Fairies. He became a little fairy himself, and could dance, too! 

That's the best thing about dreams, isn't it?

Benny Baby's Best Friend

This is the story of how Benny Baby met his best friend, Miss Butterfly. Miss Butterfly was actually a fairy in disguise, although quite why she was in disguise nobody knew. Benny Baby suspected it was because she wanted to hover amongst the flowers when babies were near. She loved children dearly, and changed herself into a butterfly to be around them, because as we all know it's not safe for fairies to be amongst most children in their real form. They are much too sparkly and twinkly and children tend to like to put sparkly, twinkly things in their mouths. Unless, of course, they are much older. Butterflies are not particularly safe from sticky grasps either, but to be a butterfly seemed more appealing to the fairy than to be, say, a hornet, or a fly. 

Benny Baby was one of these babies that liked to put everything in his mouth. One day, Daddy was working hard in his vegetable garden, and had Benny Baby with him, sitting with the Misha Monster underneath the grapefruit tree. The butterfly spied him from a flower she had been scenting. Benny Baby looked so cute and so handsome that she decided she must have a closer look. She flittered towards him and alighted on his arm, staring straight up into his face. 

Benny Baby looked at her with surprise. She was the prettiest thing he'd ever seen. He wanted to put her in his mouth! He was just about to catch hold of her when she cried out in a panic, "no, Baby! Don't put me in your mouth! You will hurt my wings, and I want to be your friend!"

The Misha Monster stared solemnly at the butterfly. "Well if you didn't want him to put you in his mouth, why did you come so close?" He asked, in his velvety voice. Benny Baby resisted the urge to grab the butterfly and made a small wail of questioning protest. The Misha Monster started cleaning his face in disinterest. He didn't have much time for butterflies, as he could never catch them. 

"Oh, you just look so beautiful!" Gushed the butterfly. "I'm really a fairy in disguise, you know. I simply adore children, and you are quite the most beautiful baby I have ever seen!" 

Benny Baby chortled. He liked the butterfly. She had a kind face, a bit fuzzy, and said nice things - the sorts of things Daddy said. Daddy's face was a bit fuzzy too. Benny Baby decided that he wanted to be the butterfly's friend. 

"Goooo" he cooed with a smile. The butterfly, who had hovered out of reach when Benny Baby made to grab her, now made herself comfortable on his thumb. "May I visit you?" She inquired. Benny Baby kicked his legs excitedly. Of course she could! They could have such fun together! When Daddy came to take Benny Baby inside the butterfly hid in the grapefruit tree; but not after giving Benny Baby a kiss and a promise to visit him soon. She made good her promise, and lay beside him all that night, whispering sweet dreams in his ear as he slept. 

Over the summer the butterfly visited Benny Baby every day. They got to know each other rather well! She knew exactly where his bedroom window was, and what his bed- and nap-times were; those were the best times to meet because then Benny Baby's Mummy and Daddy were none the wiser. It is not the priviledge of grown ups to meet fairies. They constantly write about them, though. I think that is because although they do not remember fairies, some vague sense in them recalls fairies they knew as babies. 

At least, that's what the butterfly thought when Benny Baby put the question to her. 

Benny Baby And The Terrible Thing Called Tummy-Time

As you know from a previous story, Benny Baby had saved a ladybug from an evil old witch who lived in a cave behind his parents' house. This ladybug was very, very grateful to Benny Baby and of late would sit upon leaves of flowering plants and wonder about how she could repay Benny Baby for his kindness. 

It happened to be a very hot summer's day, with the sun beating down strongly upon all of nature, and the ladybug felt happy that she could perch upon a broccoli leaf in the shade of its taller stems and leaves. 

She had almost dropped off to sleep when she heard a baby crying! It could only be Benny Baby, she thought. I wonder what is the matter? He seems to be making a dreadful fuss. Perhaps I ought to see if I may do anything to be of service?

Then the ladybug decided that it might not be a good idea to fly in through the window as Benny Baby's Mummy or Daddy might see her and rightly wonder what her business was. Benny Baby had stopped crying by now and perhaps the matter could wait. 

As the afternoon became evening, the ladybug thought up a clever ruse: she would creep into the laundry basket when Mummy took in the washing and from there she might be able to sneak a way to Benny! So, when Mummy took Benny Baby out for some fresh air while she took in the washing, the ladybug quietly crawled into the laundry basket. She was not noticed, and happily travelled with the washing into Benny Baby's living room. 

Now, it happened that Mummy fed Benny Baby at about 6 o'clock in the evening and would place him on his tummy on the floor for some "tummy-time" as she called it. It was very familiar to the ladybug but it seemed that Benny Baby hated tummy-time and would protest loudly in wails and grizzles whenever he was placed in such a position. "Aaahhhhh, hmmmmmmm!!!" Wailed Benny Baby. 

"Oh Baby!" Cried Mummy. "Tummy-time is very important for you! You'll learn to strengthen your muscles so that you will be able to crawl one day!" This made sense to the ladybug, but it did not make sense to her that Benny Baby seemed to hate tummy-time so; she flew over to him when Mummy had gone into the next room and asked, "Benny Baby why don't you like tummy-time if it's so good for you?"

Benny Baby sucked his thumb, his eyes wide with interest. He could not think of a good explanation. And he was very interested to see his ladybug friend again. "Hoooooo" he said. He was very happy to see her so well and apparently recovered from her ordeal with the witch. "I love tummy-time," the ladybug continued. "It's how I spend all my time, unless a gust of wind or some unkind person flips me onto my back." Benny Baby stared. He knew all about that! "I can't suck my thumb, though," observed the ladybug. "I can't reach them!" Benny Baby didn't think ladybugs had thumbs, at least not like babies, but he thought it might hurt the ladybug's feelings if he pointed that out. "Aooooo" he hooted. To the ladybug's surprise he rolled over from his tummy to his back. 

"Oh!" She exclaimed. "That is clever! You do that so easily! Though I don't understand why you'd want to; isn't it uncomfortable?" Benny Baby smiled coyly. He curled his feet almost up to his chin and rolled onto his side. The ladybug had to bend her head in the most awkward fashion to look at him. "Errgghh" said Benny Baby with a final effort, and rolled forward on his elbows onto his tummy again. 

"Well, I never!" The ladybug was very surprised. "Why do you complain so if you can roll like that? I'd never be able to do that so easily in a million years!" She was about to press Benny Baby about it when she had to quickly disappear amongst the washing. Mummy had come in to take Benny Baby for his bath. Benny Baby smiled as Mummy carried him out. It was his secret. 

Even Mummy didn't know. 

Benny Baby To The Rescue

Once upon a time a lovely ladybug was enjoying tummy-time on a rose petal. Her wings were as deep red as the petal, her spots as dark as the shadows that played in its layers. 

This ladybird was as sweet and gentle as she was lovely, and had many friends; however there was one who envied her beautiful red wings and wished harm to the lovely ladybug. 

So, as the ladybug was sunning herself upon the rose, a dark shape loomed over the rose that seemed to cause even the flower to shrink away in horror. With a loud cackle an ugly old witch picked up the terrified ladybug in between two of her horrid sharp fingernails, and would have squashed the little creature then and there, had it not been for a sudden thought that occurred to her. 

For this old sorceress had heard of magical properties that dwelt in the wings of ladybirds, that must be drawn from their handsome black spots. The properties were of such worth that they could restore youth and bestow beauty upon the one skillful enough to extract their magic. 

Now this witch was extremely ill-favoured; her nose was large and hooked, she had thick hairs upon her chin, and a mole that gave forth evil-smelling stuff so that you felt ill if she so much as looked at you with her beady black eyes. She decided that she would use the ladybird's wings to make herself beautiful, with lips as red as the ladybird's wings, and eyes as deep and dark as the spots on those wings. Then, she could lure to herself many children, and eat them as dessert. 

The poor ladybug fainted away in her terror, and the witch carried her off to her cave where she dwelt, in her darkness and filth. 

Now, in a nearby lily plant, a friend of the ladybug was hovering, and this friend was a butterfly only newly-born. Her wings were of auburn and gold, and apart from noticing that they were of an especial beauty, you would not guess that this particular butterfly was actually a fairy in disguise! This 'butterfly' as we shall call her, was so taken aback with fear and sorrow at her friend's plight that she did not know what to do. Then, a happy thought reminded her of her best friend, Benny Baby, who lived nearby in his home with his Mummy and Daddy. Often, when his parents thought he was peacefully napping he would sneak out of his bedroom window on Minnie May's back, for Minnie May was a very agile cat and was able to let Benny Baby ride on her back whenever he wanted to visit his fairy folk friends. Minnie May's best friend the Misha Monster would stand guard and contrive to distract Mummy or Daddy if Benny was not back in time; he was very successful in doing this on many occasions and Benny Baby would be found a few minutes later in his cot, sucking his thumb and looking for all the world like a four month old baby would look when just woken up in their cot. 

Well, the butterfly hovered into Benny Baby's room and alighted on his stomach just as he was dropping off to sleep. His eyes still closed, Benny Baby made a mouth as if he were about to cry, but the butterfly hurriedly "sh-shhhhhd" him and he stopped, opening his eyes and seeing that it was his good friend, and that she looked very upset. "Grrr?" He asked, politely. He thought it might be unkind to tell the butterfly that she had caught him at a very bad time. He felt much more asleep than awake. 

"Oh, Benny Baby!" Exclaimed the butterfly in distress. "My friend the ladybug has been spirited away by the evil witch that lives in a cave behind your parents' back gate!!! You must help me free her! That old hag plans to do something terrible to her, I just know it! You must help me, Benny Baby!!!"

Benny Baby sucked his thumb thoughtfully. "G-g", he said, "grrrrrlll." The butterfly was very relieved. He had agreed to help!! She called out the window to Minnie May who was sunning herself in the garden, and the obliging puss bound into the window with a single, graceful movement. In a thrice, Benny Baby was on her back, the butterfly clutched in one slippery hand, and the other holding onto Minnie May as tightly as could be. 

In the twinkle of an eye, Minnie May arrived in front of a back entrance into the old witch's den. Minnie May was very stealthy and extremely clever, and had spied out this secret entry for herself, for the old witch liked to gnaw on fresh sheep meat and often left it out in the open. Goodness knows where she had stolen the sheep meat from; but she often wondered at her memory, for more times than she could count she would place a piece of meat down, turn away to attend to something else, and lo! When she went back to her meal she found it gone!

After sucking his thumb furiously as he made his plans, Benny Baby instructed Minnie May to take him into the witch's cave and show him where she often hid in wait to steal the witch's repast. 

Without a sound, the cat softly padded into the cave. At once the butterfly noticed her ladybird friend, miserably placed on her back in a tiny cage made of dried blades of grass! She gestured wildly with her wings to Benny Baby, not daring to speak in case the witch was within earshot. She seemed nowhere to be seen; although you never knew with witches. They lurked in places you'd never dream to look for them. Quickly Minnie broke the cage with one of her sharp claws and Benny Baby let go of the butterfly and clutched the ladybug tightly in his hand, righting her, so that she was on her tummy again. How pleased and grateful she was to see her rescuers! She gave Benny Baby a ladybug kiss, and without waiting to say goodbye flew off as fast as she could, which is understandable, for I myself would hate to be in that smelly place a moment longer than I had to!

The butterfly and Minnie May with Benny Baby followed suit, and before long the horrid place was behind them, and they were safely in Benny Baby's bedroom. The ladybug had arrived before them, and was perched on Benny Baby's bouncer. "Thank you so much for rescuing me, Benny Baby!" She cried. Benny Baby smiled gummily at her. Minnie May had deposited him safely again in his cot, and the Misha Monster grunted in relief. He had had to distract Mummy from going in to check on Baby Baby by coughing up a fur ball on her clean carpet and narrowly escaped having his tail shaved; he wanted to put the whole unfortunate affair behind him and relax under the shade of the grapefruit tree. 

When his friends left him again, Benny Baby settled down for a well-earned nap. The butterfly floated solicitously around Benny Baby making sure that he was not awoken by the nastly flies that might have been the witch's spies. The butterfly was quite sure the witch would not rest until she had found out what had happened to her prisoner. Though for the moment at least, all was well, the butterfly mused contentedly. The ladybug had resumed her position upon her rose petal, and the two cats were washing each other's faces underneath the grapefruit tree. Mummy came in for a second to peek at her Benny Baby, and did not notice the butterfly who quickly dived out the window. 

"What a good boy my baby is," Mummy whispered as she kissed Benny Baby. "Sleepy-sleep, Honey."