In late June, when my stone birdbath developed a
deep crack, I recycled it into a fairy garden.

I filled it with dirt, a miniature ceramic cottage,
small-scale plants, moss for grass, and tiny gravel
for a stone path.

By July, the garden had two fairy occupants: Letitia
and Etheline.

The roommates appeared to settle in well.

They added a trellis with climbing vines, a pink flower
border along the stone path, and a welcome mat at the
door.

But in early August, grievances and discord took
root.
Letitia wanted the cottage pantry stocked with only organic
food items.
Etheline preferred a vast assortment of snacks and munchies
for her weekend party guests.

Letitia liked a traditional décor: chintzes, an heirloom rug, a
rocking chair, and coordinated placemats.
Etheline preferred a contemporary setting: bright colors,
modern art, and a lot of gold and silver accents.

When Letitia found empty bottles of mead, an ancient honey
wine, she reminded Etheline that drinking was against the
rules.

Etheline scoffed and cursed her in dirty fairy words.

Then a terrible rain storm struck the fairy garden
causing widespread destruction.

Etheline found alternative lodging with an elf.

But Letitia stayed and opted to restore the little cottage and
grounds.
She reinforced the dwelling, added tall shrubs, and a
mini-herb vegetable garden.

In September, Etheline returned for a visit. She marveled
at the reconstructed fairy garden and all the upgrades to
the property.

She pleaded for a return to their former living arrangement.

“I’m tired of flitting from elf to elf,” she confided.
“I promise to control my drinking and to cut out the
partying.
Give me another chance, please?”

Letitia briefly considered Etheline’s request.
But then, she realized she liked her solitary, quiet life in the
fairy garden.
She had proved she could handle whatever came her way.

She presented Etheline with a farewell basket of herbs,
sweet peas, and baby carrots from her garden.

In exchange, Etheline gave her a bottle of mead, which she
just happened to have with her.

————

Susan Chertkow, a Chicagoan, is the author of the novel The Gnome and Mrs. Meyers, an urban fantasy on Kindle at Amazon.com. She is a fine artist and tournament Scrabble player.