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The Unruly Sprite

A Partial Fairy Tale

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Pages: 8

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About this book

A writer earns his living with the help of little sprites who bring him ideas, encouragement and delight. One of these airy companions, armed with a bow and arrows, proves harder to manage than the rest. When a lady who reads the writer's stories complains about the creature's behaviour, he tries to teach it botany, music and good manners. The lessons turn an apparently simple problem of politeness into a puzzle about feelings and wishes.

Henry Van Dyke builds this short fairy tale around conversations between the writer, his friend and the troublesome sprite. Flowers, moonlight and forest scenes give the imaginary creatures a place in everyday life, while harsh attempts at discipline complicate the playful tone. The story offers readers an allegory of affection and creative inspiration, asking how far either can be governed by rules or another person's expectations.

About the author

Henry Van Dyke

Henry Van Dyke (1852-1933), known in full as Henry Jackson van Dyke Jr., was an American author, educator and diplomat who also wrote poetry and worked as a theologian and literary scholar. His books include "The Blue Flower" and "The House of Rimmon".