A doorway in Fairyland

The collection gathers a dozen forgotten fairy‑tale gems that once lived in little British chapbooks now out of print. Each story is a brief, lyrical journey through enchanted farms, moonlit gardens, and curious kingdoms, rendered in a voice that feels both ancient and warmly familiar. Listeners glide from a mischievous fire‑eater to a clever rat‑catcher’s daughter, discovering a range of creatures and moral twists while retaining the simple charm of folk storytelling. The prose is gently paced, letting imagination linger on the vivid images that filled the margins of these historic volumes.

In the opening tale, a humble cradle‑bound pair—Nillywill, a hidden princess, and Hands‑Pansy, a poor but kind‑hearted boy—grow up believing their love is unbreakable. When royal duty drags Nillywill into a glittering palace, their separation tests the promise whispered under a blue moon. The story follows her quiet longing, nightly watches of the sky, and the hope that a rare celestial event might bridge the gap between two worlds. It becomes a tender meditation on class, destiny, and the power of a single blooming wish.