Edith stood in the middle of her garden with her heart sinking. She had tried all summer to grow things. The snails had eaten every one.
“Whatever shall I do?” she said to herself.
A voice said: “Edith.”
She looked around. There was no one there.
“Edith,” it said again.
“Who are you?” she asked the empty air. “Where are you?”
“I’m the Fairy Queen,” said the voice, “wearing my invisible robe — the one that only fairies can see. I’ve been watching your garden. And I have some advice.”
A curious swishing sound passed through the air, and something felt different.
“I have waved my wand,” said the Fairy Queen. “Now here is what you must do: don’t plant anything for one week. Not a single seed. The snails will think you’ve given up. They’ll move on to look for more reliable meals.”
Edith did exactly as she was told.
A week passed. Then she planted. The seeds came up. The flowers grew. The snails were nowhere to be found.
All summer, when she was weeding and watering, Edith would sometimes say quietly to the garden air: “If the Fairy Queen is nearby in her invisible robe — thank you. Thank you very much.”
