Tobias’s Tale

Aurelia was a golden-haired faerie with delicate wings reminiscent of a painted lady butterfly. One fateful day, while flitting over the woodland canopy, she had fallen down a deep hole in the earth, wedging herself between a thick root and the surrounding soil. Coughing and spluttering as dirt cloaked her vision, her pitiful cries for help echoed in the darkness. The only light came from a narrow shaft above where the ground had caved in.

Meanwhile, deep within the adjoining tunnels, an old, solitary badger named Tobias—known as "Mr. Badger" to the younger creatures—was out patrolling his territory. Sniffing out fat worms for breakfast, he detected an unfamiliar scent that piqued his curiosity. Following the trail through his meticulously kept passageways, which wove an intricate network beneath the forest floor, he heard faint sounds of coughing and sobbing.

As he approached the source, Tobias noticed an unexpected shaft of sunlight illuminating his tunnel. Confused, he muttered to himself, "I don’t remember digging an exit here… or putting in a window!" But when his sharp eyes spotted the golden intruder, he froze. Even in the dim light, Aurelia shimmered, her radiance undimmed by the dust and darkness.

Though grumpy by nature, Tobias’s sense of duty outweighed his irritation. With a sigh of resignation, he approached carefully so as not to frighten her and began digging at the roots with his powerful claws. It didn’t take long for him to free the trapped faerie. Aurelia, though disheveled, smiled warmly at him, unoffended by his gruff manner. She could sense the kindness beneath his grumbles about interrupted breakfasts and intrusions.

Tobias led her up to the surface through the collapsed tunnel and, much to her surprise, shared ripe berries from his prized garden. The fruit was sweet and succulent, staining their hands and paws with rich purplish-red juice. As they talked, Aurelia explained how she had lost a magical seed while flying over his garden. In her search, the ground beneath her had given way.

A proud gardener, Tobias was intrigued when Aurelia described the seed’s extraordinary nature. "Once it grows," she said, "the plant will bear a different fruit every day—each one more delicious than the last. But it requires immense care and patience to cultivate."

The badger’s bushy brows rose. "Sounds like my kind of challenge," he mused, his irritation forgotten. Together, they searched for the seed, eventually finding it nestled among grass near Tobias’s raspberry canes. Aurelia, touched by Tobias’s newfound enthusiasm, suggested planting it in his garden, where they could tend it together.

And so, a friendship began. Aurelia visited daily, not only to care for the magical seedling but also to help with Tobias’s beloved garden. Though he preferred practical effort over magic, Tobias couldn’t deny that her enchantments enhanced the flavor of his fruit. In turn, Aurelia found comfort in Tobias’s steady, grounded presence. She also mediated the frequent squabbles between Tobias and Rowan the squirrel, bringing peace to his otherwise solitary life.

As the sapling grew, so did their bond. Tobias, once indifferent to company, eagerly awaited Aurelia’s visits. They shared stories of the woodland, news of its inhabitants, and sometimes even hummed or whistled tunes together as they worked. On quieter days, they sat in companionable silence, content in each other’s presence.

Few dared disturb the infamous Mr. Badger’s domain, but Aurelia was an exception. Their unlikely friendship, like the magical sapling they nurtured, blossomed into something remarkable—a harmonious blend of opposites, as beautiful and rare as a rainbow born of sun and rain. Together, Tobias and Aurelia created a partnership that transformed not only their garden but also their lives.

©️ Words and art phoenix feathers art, fabled fae