
A young boy who grew up as a “Christmas child” in a cramped city house hears his doctor‑father’s quiet tales of magic, loss and hope. While the streets and trams crowd out the once‑green orchard behind their home, he longs for a world beyond the soot‑stained windows. One evening, after a disappointing holiday and a confiscated stocking, the quiet corner of his garden reveals a hidden fairy ring that beckons him forward.
Stepping into the glimmering circle, he encounters the Queen of the Fairies, whose realm offers the wonder his daily life lacks. The meeting unfurls gentle adventures with dancing elves, talking birds and ancient secrets whispered among the blossoms. As the boy’s imagination awakens, the story invites listeners to share his first steps into a realm where ordinary streets give way to timeless enchantment.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (197K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Edwards, eagkw and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2011-09-27
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

b. 1865
Best known for old-fashioned fairy tales, animal stories, and other children's books, this British writer built a lively body of work in the early 20th century. Her stories often mix gentle fantasy with a clear affection for nature and young readers.
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