“Fairy Gifts.” The Green Fairy Book, edited by Andrew Lang, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1892, pp. 64-67.

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.