“Fairy Gifts.” The GreenFairy Book, edited by Andrew Lang, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1892, pp. 64-67.
![Fairy Gifts](/projects/fairy-tales/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/article-image/greenfairybook00lang_0_0087.jpg?itok=NN-IjvP7)
Tale Summary
In the kingdom of the Flower Fairy there lived many princes and princesses who had been with her since their infancy. It was customary for them to remain with her until they were grown up, at which time they would go out into the world with a gift from the Flower Fairy. She wished to know how previous princesses were fairing in the world, so she sent out Princess Sylvia, who would herself soon be ready to leave the Flower Fairy, to visit with them. She first was sent to the court of Iris, who was given the gift of beauty and stayed for two months. When Sylvia returned, she told of how Iris came to rely on her beauty and let all other traits fall away, and that she fell ill and lost her beauty. Iris seemed very unlikeable, and all the things about her that were tolerable when she was pretty were no longer bearable. Sylvia then went off to see Princess Daphne, given the gift of eloquence and returned very quickly. She told how the gift of eloquence made her unbearably talkative. Then, Sylvia went to visit Princess Cynthia, who was given the gift of pleasing. When she returned to the Flower Fairy, she explained that it at first seemed like the perfect gift, but she realized that in order to please everyone else she could never really be sincere or happy. Sylvia then goes to see Princess Phyllida, who was given the gift of wit, and when she returned told of how it was a wonder only for a short time before realizing that it made her frequently ill-natured. When it came time for Sylvia herself to receive her gift, she asked for a quiet spirit, which would make life a constant happiness for her and everyone around her.
Fairy Tale Title
Fairy Gifts
Fairy Tale Author(s)/Editor(s)
Andrew Lang
Fairy Tale Illustrator(s)
H. J. Ford
Common Tale Type
Tale Classification
Page Range of Tale
pp. 64-67
Full Citation of Tale
“Fairy Gifts.” The GreenFairy Book, edited by Andrew Lang, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1892, pp. 64-67.
Original Source of the Tale
From the Comte de Caylus.
Tale Notes
Research and Curation
Kaeli Waggener, 2022
Book Title
The GreenFairy Book
Book Author/Editor(s)
Andrew Lang
Illustrator(s)
H. J. Ford
Publisher
Longmans, Green, and Co.
Date Published
1892
Decade Published
1890-1899
Publisher City
London
Publisher Country
United Kingdom
Language
English
Rights
Public Domain
Digital Copy
Book Notes
This is a 1st edition of Lang’s The Green Fairy Book. Green hardback with a gold dragon on the cover. Has the name Betty written in it as well as Montgomery and Kendal.