Free Fairy Dust by Titania Woods

desperately. ‘Each of those ice ornaments had to be made separately, and then hung by one of the students. Hundreds of them! Think about how much time that took.’
    Sooze turned and looked at the school, a frown creasing her forehead.
    â€˜Think about Glitterwings,’ whispered Twink. ‘You love it, Sooze, I know you do. Think about how everyone would feel if the ceremony didn’t go ahead.’
    Twink started to say more, and then stopped, holding her breath. Sooze’s frown had cleared. Her violet eyes grew wide as she stared at Glitterwings, and then at the silent, hovering students.
    â€˜I – I think I understand,’ said Sooze in wonder. ‘Oh, Twink, I think I get it!’
    Before Twink could answer, Sooze had jetted off, her pink wings fluttering as fast as they could. Flying straight to the ice pole, Sooze hovered near its top. Pressing the icy beak against the robin’s face, she closed her eyes and reached into her other pocket.
    As the school watched in hopeful silence, Sooze concentrated for a moment, clenching a pinch of dust. Then she flung it at the beak.
    A burst of pink and gold light lit the top of the pole. The beak was part of the robin once again, shining like new.
    â€˜I did it!’ cried Sooze jubilantly. ‘Oh, I really did it!’
    â€˜Well done!’ said Miss Shimmery warmly. ‘Now to your places, girls – quickly! Dawn will be breaking at any moment.’
    The school flew hurriedly into place. Twink joined the others, taking hold of one of the icy strands. As Madame Brightfoot had explained, this was not a dance that needed to be learned. The ice pole itself would lead them; all they had to do was follow.
    Sure enough, Twink felt a faint pressure against her hand as her strand twitched into life. The ice pole began to slowly rotate, plaiting its strands into an intricate pattern.
    Oh! Twink felt a rush of pleasure as the strands wove about. Suddenly she felt like doing somersaults, like twirling and tumbling! She couldn’t resist. No one could. They spun and dipped and frolicked, whooping with joy. Below, Twink could just see the water sprites through the ice, dancing along with them.
    Laughter bubbled up in Twink’s throat. Bringing in the spring wasn’t solemn at all. It was the most glimmery fun in the world!
    Finally the strands slowed and stopped. It was time.
    Reaching into her pouch, Twink closed her eyes. For springtime, she thought. For all the creatures and plants and flowers in the world! And as she flung the dust at her strand, she thought, Goodbye, winter. We’ll see you again next year!
    As all the fairies did the same, pink and gold light burst over the ice pole. It shimmered like liquid fire. Twink held her breath.
    Slowly, so slowly that she almost didn’t notice at first, her strand began to turn green. First one small, curling tendril appeared, and then another. All at once, green flowed up the strand as it became a vine of ivy. Bright flowers appeared, weaving around the ivy’s heart-shaped leaves.
    The other strands were bursting into life as well. Twink caught Sooze’s eye, and the two fairies grinned at each other. Sooze looked happier than Twink had ever seen her – not mischievous, or eagerly plotting a prank, but just happy.
    The ice pole melted away into warm, living colours as the carved creatures came to life. A badger sat up, blinking its eyes and twitching its black nose. Several field mice scampered down the pole and ran across the ice, squeaking joyfully.
    Just as the first ray of spring sunshine shone on to the pole, the robin at its top opened its beak and began to sing.
    .

    .
    â€˜The ice pole is now a green pole,’ announced Miss Shimmery. Her smile was as warm as the new sunshine. ‘Thank you, girls. Welcome to the spring!’
    There was a party afterwards, with the fairies all mingling on the lawn, sipping fizzy dew and eating honey cake. Already, the