The Smartest Fairy
Beginner · ≈ 3 min story · 2 min read
In Fairyland, four fairies compete to be crowned the smartest: the Water Fairy, the Green Fairy, the Frost Fairy, and the Fluff Fairy. The judges set three tricky riddles, and every fairy is stumped until the Water Fairy thinks them through and answers all three, winning the crown of Fairy Queen. Just as the celebration ends, a little bird arrives with news from the forest about a boastful fox, a quiet cat, and the sound of barking dogs, setting up the next tale. A gentle, playful story that rewards careful thinking over quick showing off.
Once upon a time, in a magical place called Fairyland, there was a competition to find the smartest fairy. Four fairies decided to compete. There was the Water Fairy, the Green Fairy, the Frost Fairy, and the Fluff Fairy. Everyone was curious to see who would win! The four fairies had to answer three tricky questions. The first question was: “What do you give to others, but still try to keep?”
The fairies thought carefully. The second question was: “What does everyone need, want, and ask for... but is never willing to take?” The fairies became even more puzzled. Then came the third question.
“What can you never get rid of, even when you lose it?” The fairies looked at one another. These questions were not easy at all! But the clever Water Fairy smiled. “I know all the answers!”
The other fairies looked surprised. “You do?” The Water Fairy nodded. “For the first question, the answer is a promise.” “We give promises to others, but we also try our best to keep them.” The judges nodded. Then came the second question. “What does everyone need, want, and ask for, but is never willing to take?” The Water Fairy smiled again. “Advice.” “Everyone needs advice. Everyone wants advice. Everyone asks for advice...” “But not everyone is willing to take it!”
The fairies laughed. Then came the final question. “What can you never get rid of, even when you lose it?” The Water Fairy thought for a moment. Then she answered, “One's temper.” “Even if you lose your temper, it is still your temper.” The judges looked at each other. Then they smiled.
The Water Fairy had answered all three questions correctly! Everyone in Fairyland praised her. And the Water Fairy was crowned the Fairy Queen. Everyone celebrated her victory. But just as the celebration was ending... a little bird suddenly flew into Fairyland. It carried a message from the forest. The Water Fairy opened the message. Her smile disappeared. “Something has happened in the forest...” A clever fox had been boasting about all the tricks he knew.
And nearby, a little cat claimed she needed only one trick to stay safe. Then, from deep inside the forest... came the loud sound of barking dogs. The Water Fairy looked toward the forest. “What will happen to the fox and the cat?” And that... was the beginning of another surprising story. moral: Being smart is not just about knowing answers. True wisdom means thinking carefully, keeping our promises, listening to good advice, and learning to control our temper.
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