The Magical Snow Fairy (or why we play the Giving Game)

Once not long ago, the weather in the forest grew very cold. Some thought this was a bad thing and so they huddled around their fires, drinking and complaining. While the Folk and some who are more like Folk then the average Wanderling, decided it was time to play. So all them that could, gathered at a special spot that no one had ever been to before and they begin to play and sing and dance and have a grand old time.

One thing that the Folk love to do is make things out of snow. Some are very talented at this. In fact, some of the Wild Folk know how to make such replicas of things as to fool anyone who may see them. But the one thing all the folk love to make the most is snowballs. And that they did in plenty. There were snowball fights, snowball ambushes, snowball juggling, and even a snowball making contest on its own. One particularly bright Folk, a nixie, took a couple of snowballs that looked like they wanted to have more fun than to be just tossed around, and she put some eyes, a nose, and arms and legs and some ears on it. It began to look like a little Snow Folk.

So the little nixie took the Snow Folk around with her everywhere and introduced her to people. Now giving something a name and sharing that with others has some magic in and of itself. But when told something was missing nobody could quite guess what it was. But that didn’t stop all the Folk from playing with their new friend just the same. Everyone was real careful not to hurt the delicate Snow Folk and it was left to stand and watch and share in all the fun. Until the smallest pixie there stumbled on what exactly was missing, a pair of wings! So quickly, she made some wings and placed them on the Snow Folk and a little bit of glitter seemed to spread though out the snow. But after that, everyone went inside to dance and sing and drink some more. But as the day went on, the folk went back outside to play and they looked and couldn’t find their new friend the Snow Folk.

Now nobody knows for sure: perhaps it was the special spot they played; maybe it was the way they played or how nice they were; maybe it was the wings and glitter given with such thought and care; maybe it was a bit of fairy magic that too few even know about; or maybe it was a combination of all these things and more. While in the middle of playing a spirit that looked both strange and familiar came to the folk who were playing. It told them it was the spirit of the Snow Fairy that they had played with all day. Upon hearing this all the folk were so excited, especially the nixie that had been so careful with the Snow Fairy. The spirit explained that it was here because of all the joy and cheer, although it couldn’t explain how it had come, and it was sure it would melt. All the folk gathered in such a hurry to find a way to save the Snow Fairy.

They looked high and low. Some turned it into a game and questioned anyone they could find. Others sat and just though and thought and thought. Many tried to give the Snow Fairy and new name, but he explained that wouldn’t help, he had a good name. Some thought they could just sing more and dance more and that he would be safe. But, even though he was supposed to bring good cheer, doing his job did not mean he would not melt. Finally the nixie that put him together and took such good care of him, found a bright and valuable shiny. Some thing this shiny was magical, others say it was very valuable, and some thought it was ancient. The truth is, it was given with love and care to one who had been a friend. Such friendships, when shared, can never be forgotten, and not being forgotten means they will never go away!

So in celebration, the Snow Fairy taught all the folk there and some of the Wanderlings a new game, called “The Giving Game.” In this game, one offers to give something that makes them who they truly are. If you are particularly strong, or learned, you offer to share and give that gift. Each person who plays writes who is giving it and what they are giving. Then you draw a name from a magic hat. This will let you make friends by learning more about that person. Even the spirit, the Snow Fairy played. We all had such fun, and because of the game, when a terrible fight occurred (see the story of the Ice Empress) we were able to be prepared and win the fight!

The Snow Fairy left having done his job of spreading good cheer and he will never be forgotten so he will never melt! And each year, when the cold is coldest and the snow has come, the Snow Fairy will come to play and sing and play the “Giving Game” and spread good wintery cheer!