I had never really spent much time in the countryside, so a quite holiday in the country taking in all the things I never even imagined that went on.

I decided to take a morning walk. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, cows and sheep were doing whatever cows and sheep did.

The corn swayed lazily in the soft gentle breeze. I had no idea at all where I was going. I just followed my nose through fields and woods.

The time must have been getting on towards noon, as the sun was now high in clear pale blue sky.

I could hear the rippling of a near by stream and decided to cool my feet in the clear waters, ah that relaxing feeling was wonderful, as I was putting my shoes back on I could hear what I thought was a voice, not loud so that it drew your attention, but quiet, in fact almost inaudible at first, but there it came again.

“Help, help, I’m here in the stream.�?/P>

I thought I must be having sunstroke after walking so long in the summer sun, but no there it came again, I stood looking but couldn’t see a thing, I was just about to turn away, then it came again.

“Stop! I’m down here, help me please.�?/P>

Then I saw them, at the edge of the stream opposite to where I had been sitting, I just couldn’t believe my eyes. There were two tiny people in the stream; one was hanging with one hand desperately to a blade of grass that overhung into the stream and with the other hand hanging even more desperately to another little being that seemed to be unconscious.

I stepped into the stream, cupped my hands underneath the stricken pair and lifted them ever so gently out of the water. I think I had rescued them just in the nick of time, for the one that drew my attention to their predicament collapsed with exhaustion.

With one hand I got my nice clean handkerchief out and laid it down on the grass then gently laid these two little people down on the handkerchief, folded it half over them to help dry them out and keep them warm for the water was quite cold.

I was bewildered what to do next, surely this couldn’t be happening, I must be dreaming, but wet feet with shoes full of water is probably something I would never dream about.

I undid the laces on my shoes and emptied the water back into the stream, turning back to the handkerchief the little person that had attracted my attention was just getting up.

I knelt down so I could see them better. “Who are you, what are you.�?I asked.

“Thank you kind human I was in desperate need, other wise I would not have asked for your help.�?/P>

“But who are you?�?I asked again

“My name is Blessed, I am a provider for the court of the fairies.�?/P>

“Who is your poor friend with you?�?/P>

“That is Meadow dew, she also is a provider for the fairy court.�?/P>

“Is she alright then? I hope she is.�?/P>

“She will be well soon, I think she just swallowed to much water.�?/P>

“I thank you most sincerely for pulling us out of the water, for we would have been lost forever if you had not come to our rescue, but we must be going now.�?/P>

“But you cannot go just now for your friend looks to ill for you to be move her and you have no chance of carrying her, can I be of any further assistance.�?/P>

“That is most kind of you, but I cannot let you help any further for I have already broken the first rule of our court in exposing ourselves to the humans.�?/P>

“But I wish you no harm, I am only too happy to be of any service to you all.�?/P>

The time was now getting on a little bit and Blessed seemed very concerned about his companion, for she was not responding as he thought she should.

I picked my handkerchief up gently with Meadow Dew still lying silently in it, I turned to Blessed.

�?It looks like you have no option for your friend seems worse than what you think and I can have you back to where you come from faster than you can.�?/P>

“No doubt you can human.�?/P>

I picked Blessed up and placed him beside his companion, he gave me instructions as to the direction I needed to go.

I crossed the stream, crossed two fields to the edge of a wood, where Blessed beckoned me to stop. Without a word he flew off my hand, some how I had not noticed his almost transparent wings before. Where he went to I have no idea, he just disappeared.

There I was left holding the handkerchief with this poor little creature looking in a sad way, I only hope she doesn’t recover at this moment for she would be in for a terrible shock.

Then suddenly more of these little people surrounded me and with what felt like a puff of wind they had taken Meadow Dew from my hand and they were all gone.

I was about to turn away when Blessed landed on my shoulder.

“Human we thank you for your great kindness we are more than grateful, we can never thank you enough. Meadow Dew will be alright now.�?/P>

“There is no need for thanks, it is me who should thank you, for you have made me believe in something that I thought was just make believe.�?/P>

At this he flew off once again and left me to wander back to where I was staying.

That night at the lodgings where I was staying the conversation got around to legends and tall tales, I happened to mention if anyone believed in fairies, they all laughed and said I was to old to believe in things like that.

Well, believe I do and believe I always will, no matter what anyone ever says, but what happened will always stop with me, for where they are will always be my secret.

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