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The Lost Joy Fairy
Tim was a nosy but nose-less tree snake. For him, the world’s pleasures lay in hanging upside down and minding everyone's business. The animals in the jungle liked him anyway, for he was a cheerful and helpful little guy.
One day, Tim decided to visit another part of the jungle. He wanted to explore new things and make new friends. So Tim put a small hat on his head and set out for his new expedition. Boy was he excited!
Ten miles from home, Tim spotted three terrified chicks hiding behind a rock. He joined them and whispered, “Who are we hiding from?”
The chicks were very scared. “You'll not eat us, mister. Will you?” asked the fat one.
Tim laughed heartily. “If I did, I wouldn't be able to move! I’ve a long way to go. Don't worry. I’m Tim.”
The chicks chuckled nervously and introduced themselves.
“I’m Sum,” said the fat one.
“I’m Sam,” said the tall one.
“I’m Sim,” said the small one.
“We are lost!” they said together.
“Oh dear! Your mummy must be very worried,” Tim speculated. “Come! Jump on my back. We'll go looking for her.”
Sum, Sam and Sim were still scared of Tim but they hopped on his back nonetheless. After three hours of searching, Tim finally found their worried mummy.
“Thank you so much, stranger!” she said. “It’s very dark already. Why don't you stay and have your dinner with us?”
Tim happily accepted the invitation. He had a wonderful time with the family and spent his night hanging upside down on a nearby tree. That’s how he always slept.
The next morning, some strange sounds woke Tim up. He opened his eyes and saw a Panda crying under the tree. “Poor little thing!” thought Tim. “I must find out what makes him so sad.”
He jumped down the tree and fell right in front of the panda, but the panda was neither surprised nor amused.
“Hello, my friend! I’m Tim.”
“I’m Pan,” said the sad panda.
“It’s such a wonderful day! What makes you so unhappy?” asked Tim.
Pan took a deep sigh. “I’ve been sad for as long as I can remember. I don’t have a joy fairy to make me happy.”
“That’s ridiculous!” cried Tim. “I don’t have a joy fairy either but I’m happy!”
“We are different,” said Pan. “I cannot know happiness without my joy fairy.”
Tim wasn’t sure about the existence of joy fairies but he decided to help Pan find his joy fairy anyway.
“Well, you can’t be sad all your life,” Tim told him. “Let’s go looking for your joy fairy.” Pan agreed.
They had no idea where to look for the fairy. Tim asked everyone he met. Some laughed and rejected the idea. Others, like Mr Bono, were more sympathetic. Mr Bono was a bald owl. He told Tim and Pan about his friend, the Philosopher Pelican.
“You can find him near the river. I’m sure he can help you,” informed Mr Bono.
So Tim and Pan headed towards the river to meet the Philosopher Pelican. They found him very easily. The Philosopher was standing on a rock, lost in deep thoughts.
Tim coughed a little to make his presence felt. The Philosopher Pelican looked towards them.
“Hello! I’m Tim.” Tim started the conversation. “And this is Pan, my friend. We need your help.”
“What kind of help?” asked the Philosopher Pelican.
Tim nudged Pan to talk.
“I'm very unhappy. I don’t have a joy fairy. Do you know where I can find her?” asked Pan, almost crying.
The Philosopher Pelican thought for a while. “Yes, I know where you can find her.”
“Where?” cried Tim and Pan together.
“Your joy fairy, my dear Pan, is in your heart,” mused the Philosopher Pelican. “We all have joy fairies in our hearts. They have taught us a little magic to be happy. You seem to have forgotten the magic, Pan.”
“Yes, I think I don’t remember the magic trick,” said a bewildered Pan.
“Could you please teach it to him again?” requested Tim.
“Oh yes, it’s not very difficult. Close your eyes, Pan,” said the Philosopher Pelican.
“Close your eyes, smile a little and think you are happy. The joy fairy in your heart will do the rest of the job.”
So Pan closed his eyes, smiled a little and thought he was happy. The joy fairy in his heart did the rest of the job. Pan was happy. For the first time in his life, he experienced happiness.
Tim and Pan thanked the Philosopher Pelican and left.
Tim stayed with Pan and the chicks for many days before returning home.
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