The Fairies at the Fairydust-Castle: Volume 1

By Karin Ordell

Welcome to the story of the Fairies at Fairydust-Castle and the Tooth Fairies who collect baby teeth from children all over the world if they remember to put them under their pillow at night on the same day, they lose them.

Bitte did that. She was a quite ordinary human girl who, one night a few weeks after her seventh birthday, woke up in the Fairy world. That night, Bitte's life changed forever.
Now you will hear how it happened and what further occurred. We follow her development from a small cautious and somewhat clumsy girl, until she gradually steps into character as a brave, determined and resourceful girl in a magical world.

The book is written for children aged 6 to 12 years. The younger ones should have it read by an adult, but older children can easily read it themselves.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Books on Demand
• Release date: Jul 5, 2023
• ISBN: 9788743040002

Karin Ordell

Karin Ordell was born in 1955. She is a trained nurse and has worked as a manager in the public and private care sector for most of her career. She started writing books at a late age, and The Fairies on the Fairydust-Castle (in 3 volumes) is her first children's book.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Bitte

Deep in the countryside, close to both forest and meadow, a small thatched cottage overlooked a courtyard. The cottage had little windows, a crooked door, one cramped living-room, two bedrooms and a small kitchen. A small barn and chicken coop stood beside it. Fresh water came from a well in the yard. Behind the cottage, in the kitchen garden, lettuces, carrots, Brussels sprouts and many other vegetables were being cultivated.

A family of seven lived in the cottage. There were five children, one boy and four girls. The cottage was small and the family was poor but, nevertheless, it was a happy home. The parents did everything they could for their children.

Bitte was the eldest of the girls and her life was soon to change in a way that she could never have imagined.

After a long, hard day spent harvesting potatoes Bitte rested in her bed. She could not sleep. It was September and the nights were starting to get cold. To save fuel, the tiled stove had not been used that evening. The whole house was like ice. Bitte’s hands and feet were freezing and the tip of her nose was very cold. Her stomach rumbled. She was hungry and had only been given one boiled potato and a thin slice of dry bread for dinner. Without anyone noticing, she had cut the potato in half and shared it with her brother who had worked as hard as her father. Bitte had thought that Tom needed the potato more than she did. She lay in bed thinking about the day before.

What a wonderful day her seventh birthday had been! Her present had been a small cake with a candle on it. She remembered looking at the candle for a long time and savouring the precious moments as the flickering candlelight was reflected in the cake's pink icing. She thought she really ought to have shared the cake with her sisters and with her brother. After taking a knife from the kitchen drawer, she had divided the cake into five slices. Having already given one piece to three- year-old Sussi, another to four-year-old Hanna, yet another to six-year-old Maggi, she had given Tom, who was eleven, a larger slice. It had been difficult to divide the small round cake into five equal pieces.

Tom always worked as hard as his father whether in the field or tending the animals. He was tall for his age, heavily built, always hungry and enjoyed making fun and trouble with his sisters.

As Bitte’s brother and sisters had been eating their share of the cake, Bitte had looked at her own slice. She recalled how she had cut her own piece of cake in half and how she had given those portions to her parents. Bitte’s mother, Sophia, with tears glistening in her eyes, had gently consoled her daughter with these words: Dearest little Bitte, it’s your birthday present. The cake belongs to you. Dad and I love cake but it’s not very often that you have such a treat. I don't know when I'll be able to bake a cake for you or the family again. As you know, money is scarce and the potato harvest only just covers our daily expenses.

Looking earnestly at her mother, Bitte emphatically replied: This is my cake and I have decided to share it with you all. You work so hard and I cannot do much. I’m too young and I don't have much strength. You deserve a little kindness. She recalled how she had hugged her mother and her father in turn. Showing appreciation for her parent’s kindness, she had said, Thank you for the cake and for a wonderful day.

Bitte’s father, Harold, was well built with black bristly hair. His large hands were roughened through hard work. He was a man of few words. However, on this occasion, taking Bitte into his arms he had suggested: Let’s go into the storeroom together and find a small treat for you, my dear girl. Having put her head against her father’s chest, she had felt his worn jacket scratch against her cheek. In the storage room her father had settled her down in front of the shelves where flour, groats and other durable food were kept. Eager to discover a suitable treat, she had tried to find something simple that she would really enjoy.

Having carefully cast her eyes along the shelves, she'd chosen a large orange carrot that was fresh, crisp and ready to eat. She'd asked if she could save it for later in the evening as she'd wanted to enjoy it quietly by herself when she'd gone to bed.

As Bitte's birthday drew to a close the whole family had chatted and played games. Tom had climbed onto a chair and had sung a nonsense song to her. No one had understood a word of it but they had almost split their sides with laughter. One by one the children had said Goodnight and had been kissed by their parents. Bitte's sisters had gone to bed and had fallen asleep quickly.

Bitte shared a room with her three sisters. The very small room had just enough space for two beds. Bitte slept in one bed and her three little sisters shared the other. Tom had space to himself in the cow barn.

Bitte sat upright preparing to enjoy her treat. She rested her pillow on the bedhead. She kept the blankets tightly wrapped around her. She looked at the carrot, licked it, and then took a proper bite.

Ouch! exclaimed Bitte, as she spat the carrot into her hand. There was a small white tooth in the middle of the carrot pieces. Bitte checked her mouth with her fingers and, yes, she found a tooth missing from her lower jaw. It had been loose for a while but, as it had not pained her, she had almost forgotten about it. As she examined the tooth, she thought of a story her mother had told her. According to her mother, placing a baby tooth under the pillow before going to bed would result in a special exchange. The tooth fairy, as the story goes, would visit during the night, taking the tooth and leaving a gift in its place.

Bitte couldn’t quite make up her mind as to whether she believed the story, but then she said out loud: It can’t do any harm, and put her tooth under her pillow. She ate the rest of the carrot carefully, using only the good side of her mouth. She wrapped the blanket tightly around her legs and all the way up to her chin to keep warm. Feeling comfortable and contented, Bitte fell asleep.

Bitte had a lovely dream which was disturbed by a sound in her room that woke her suddenly. She sat up and rubbed her eyes as she tried to pull herself together. She noticed something yellow, glistening on the footboard. It looked like a small doll, but it was moving and had little wings that fluttered. Bitte stared and said, Who are you? Are you an elf?

Bitte in her bed with the tooth fairy

The elf, which was in fact a fairy laughed and said: Hello, Bitte. No, I’m not an elf. Elves do not exist. I’m a fairy and I have just picked up your tooth. The fairy stretched out her arm towards Bitte. Bitte saw a green bag tied with a gold ribbon. The bag seemed too big and heavy for the little creature, but the fairy lifted the bag easily and effortlessly.

By the way, my name is Laas. I have a message from Mother Blue.

Mother Blue? Bitte enquired. Who is Mother Blue?

Mother Blue is the Queen of all the fairies in Fairyland and she has decided to offer you a place amongst the fairies. She will explain later.

I think I’m dreaming, Bitte said, rubbing her eyes once more.

You are not dreaming, but try to go to sleep again now. Tomorrow you’ll remember what I said, but you’ll still think it was just a dream. Mother Blue will explain everything to you before long. Go to sleep now.

Bitte’s eyes closed and she fell asleep. She dreamed of elves, fairies and strange creatures that she had never seen before. When Bitte woke again it was dark and her sisters were still sleeping. As she got out of bed the blanket became entangled around her legs and she fell to the floor with a thud. Bitte remained completely still and thought: I hope the little ones did not hear me or they will laugh and make fun of me. Perhaps they will call me Humpty Dumpty, or some other stupid name.

Bitte found her shoes, put on her dress and went into the kitchen. Her mother, Sophia, was cooking porridge. She turned her head and said: Good morning Bitte. Did you sleep well?

Yes, thank you, Bitte replied as she thought about the dream.

My tooth! she suddenly shouted and ran out of the kitchen, along the hallway and into her room. She lifted her pillow and looked to see where her tooth had been. The tooth had gone! My tooth, my tooth! she exclaimed. Her shrill voice woke the little ones who stared at her. Mother Sophia entered the room.

What are you making so much noise about? You’re waking up the whole house.

My tooth, Bitte said. The fairy has taken it! She put it in a big green bag. Her name was Laas and she was sitting on the footboard. Look!"

Bitte pointed to her mouth to show where the tooth had been. Her mother looked up and started laughing.

Dear Bitte, you must have had a lively dream!

No, no. I bit the carrot and my tooth fell out. I remembered a story you told me about how the tooth fairy would come and pick up baby teeth. I put my one under my pillow and now it’s gone.

It has probably fallen on to the floor. Have you looked there, and under the bed?

Bitte threw herself on the floor and crawled under the bed. She hit the back of her head on the bottom of the bed. Her hair became entangled in the springs. "Ouch!

Ouch! Bitte shouted, and moving her head sideways, she tried to free her hair. There’s nothing under here.

I told you the fairy has taken it." She crawled out and noticed that her sisters were staring at her but they did not utter a word.

Bitte's mother shook the pillow and blanket. There was no sign of the tooth. As her mother smoothed the sheet, she observed a white object lying on the edge of the mattress against the wall. She picked it up and examined it. It was a small unicorn, seemingly made from ivory.

Bitte, what’s this? Bitte looked and said quietly, It’s the gift that has been left in exchange for my tooth. Isn’t it lovely? Her sisters came to see the gift.

Hanna held out her hand.

Is it for me? Can I keep it? she asked.

Mother Sophia frowned and appeared apprehensive.

I’d better keep it until we can find out exactly what has happened. Bitte, are you sure that you haven't seen this unicorn before?

Bitte was almost in tears.

Mum, this is a gift to me from Laas. Will you please give it to me? Laas said that Mother Blue would come and explain things. May I have my unicorn, please?

Mother Sophia looked somewhat frightened now.

Bitte, you’ve always had a lively imagination but you are making me nervous. I must talk to Dad about this. Her mother left the room.

Silence reigned. Bitte stood looking at