The Magic Kissberries, Part 1
Nicolas de Calzac
A fairytale set in times of yore, for those who believe in true love.
When a lonely princess gets lost in unfamiliar woods whilst picking fruit, the fairies - and her secret love - come to her rescue.
Chapter I
If you walk amongst the many pretty plants that grow across the islands where I grew up, warmed by the sunshine of the central Atlantic ocean and watered by its bruma mist, you will enjoy a truly wonderful experience. As a child, I did just that, ambling through the lush countryside and breathing-in the fresh air and the scent of the flowers. I loved their vivid colours and their beautiful perfumes. A particular favourite of mine was fruit plants, because as well as their fragrance exciting your nose, you could also taste them and let their juices excite your tongue too. And my particular favourite fruit, so tangy and succulent, was the fayberry.
Where you live, you might not know of fayberries, so I shall explain.
Fayberries are a variety of bilberry, to some, or blueberry, to others; locals call them myrtilles, or else fée-myrtilles. They are bursting with flavour and are very good for you, full of healthy goodness. They grow only on these islands and nowhere else on Earth. They are cherished by everyone who lives there: the children and their families, the busy insects, the chirpy birds and the pollen-seeking bees. Fayberries have a very special place in everyone’s affections.
But this is not just because they taste great - although they do!
As everyone who lives here knows, the juicy fruits of the fayberry bush are not just filled with a lush sweetness, they are also possessed of magical power: a magical fairy power. You see, these plants are lovingly cultivated and protected by tiny gentle caring fairies or fées, who live amongst the fée-myrtilles. Still, you may never ever see one, as they prefer not to be seen. You might think you hear the buzz of a humble bee, but it may in fact be the humming of a little fée. You might think you hear the rustle of a butterfly’s wings, but it may in fact be the fées reciting an enchanting tuneful verse as they work: for did you know these fairies often speak in rhymes.
Those who care for fairies know them to be shy and romantic optimists. They like to see the good in people and they believe very strongly in the power of true love. Because they're timid, they spend most time keeping out of sight, flitting around the green leafy branches of their hedgerow homes.
But don't think that their shyness means they miss what's happening in our human world, because actually they are very curious characters and are fascinated by our human lives. They watch excitedly as the locals go about their normal days, and in their deep kindness they have a special wish to help us - even when we don't realise that we need a little help.
These clever charming little creatures are especially good at sweetening the taste of love. Their fairy magic is rare and very special, and if you have never felt it then you have never truly been in love. It is true that many a foolish person seeks out the ripe fayberry fruits believing that they contain an elixir, an exotic spirit that helps those looking for love. But sadly, these romantic fools are mistaken. The magic is so much more selective than that, as it only works on those chosen deliberately by the fairies.
So good are their instincts, that they can know who is in need of their help even before the humans know. Although they may see dozens of people coming to pick berries and make wishes, they can spot the truest of true lovers amongst them. And it is only for these chosen ones that they will sprinkle a subtle layer of their delicate love-dust on the berries, like a frosting of castor sugar or a dusting of spice, so that the lucky ones can pick the fruits of true magic.
Behold! They are what we know as “kissberries”; special fayberries with a hint of magic. To eat these is to become smitten.
Hence, even if the recipients don't even realise they are destined for each other, the fairies who live amongst the fayberry bushes are dedicated to these acts of kindness. They reserve their unique talent only for those whom they believe are worthy of it.
Let me tell you a tale of one such couple.
Originally featured in "La Boîte Argentée des Fables Fantastiques”, this modern version is translated by Carmel Banjo.
Chapter II
In a time of yore, when the nation was still young and the islands had many places yet to be explored, there lived a proud king, his beloved queen and their gentle princess. They built a fine castle on an island, with tall turrets and high walls. From the turrets, lookouts could survey the seas for danger, for sometimes there were fighting-ships from other lands close by. Behind the high walls, the king felt able to keep his family safe.
On the mainland across the water, the king was building a great new city with grand buildings and parks. The citizens were busy, helping to build and living their everyday lives. The royal couple would often tour the new city and meet the people, and take adventurous trips into the woodland and hillside around.
Yet, they never took their daughter. The princess remained in the castle, surrounded only by courtiers, servants and fancy playthings. As she grew older, she yearned to explore too: for hers was a lonely life and the young people whom she watched with envy from her bedroom windows seemed to have such fun. The castle’s great halls and chambers were cold stone, and she wished to feel the warm sun and walk on the golden sands and drink from the tinkling mountain streams and pick fruits in the lush mainland hedgerows.
The best opportunity for the Princess to get out and enjoy some fresh air was when she went riding. Her beloved dappled steed, Amigo, would canter in circles around the island, kicking through the lapping waves and tossing salty spray. It was exciting and joyous. On these occasions, she was often accompanied by her loyal stablehand, who would trot behind at a respectful distance, keeping her company and carrying whatever she needed.
Over time, as the princess grew ever more restless, these horse outings grew ever more frequent. In the kindliness and loyalty of the boy, she felt a sense of true friendship. However, she being royal and he being a lowly stablehand, the protocols of the society prevented them ever becoming companions. One day, the princess finally could not resist breaking those social rules.
“Let us rest a while,” suggested the princess, turning Amigo around and confronting the young man, “I wish to paddle in the sea.”
“As you wish, m’lady”, replied the other. He dutifully took the reins of both horses and stood aside as the girl let the warm waves tickle her sandy toes.
“I am hungry,” announced the princess, “do we have anything to eat?”
The boy produced a punnet of fayberries from within his pannier. Offering them to her as a snack, the princess giggled.
“I trust these are kissberries,” she said. Then, realising her accidental error, she corrected herself: “I trust these are not kissberries, I meant.” She blushed.
“M’lady, no,” replied the boy, “I am not so blessed with the fairies’ grace.” His face wore the look of disappointment.
“Grown-ups are so cynical about magic”, offered the princess, “but they do say that those who do not believe have simply never known true love.” She took a fruit between her fingers, and observed it closely. “I choose to believe, that one day I may feel that magic.”
“Quite so, m’lady" replied the boy, “As do I.”
Refreshed by her paddle, the princess was ready to return home. They mounted their horses and headed back to the castle.
“Thank you,” said the princess, sincerely, as the stablehand took Amigo’s reins and helped her dismount.
“You are most welcome, m’lady” responded the boy.
“Come now!” came a cry from across the courtyard. The Queen was anxious for her daughter to prepare for that evening’s banquet, and ushered her in to get suitably dressed.
“Mother, must I attend yet another boring banquet,” complained the girl, “Everybody treats me like a child and I am tired of it.”
Her mother smiled and took her hand. “I think tonight may be a little different. Your father wishes to tell you something.”
Intrigued, the girl consented.
Chapter III
The following morning, the young woman awoke early, excited by the adventure ahead. For at the previous soiree, the King had proudly announced that there would be a royal trek onto the mainland and into the lush upland forests, and the princess would be coming too.
At the castle-side mooring, she leapt aboard the little royal boat that would take them all across to the other side. The royal chef emerged from the kitchens and presented the princess with her specially-requested snack parcel: a box of freshly-picked lush sweet fayberries.
Once across, the trek party assembled on the city beach and the servants attended to the final preparations. The horses had been taken over the water already so they were readied and waiting, and the young stablehand walked Amigo over to his rider. Climbing up, she held his hand briefly as she settled into the saddle. The trek commenced. Into the woods they went, the sounds of birdsong and bees all around them. Up the slopes of the foothills they went, rising above the trees and seeing the castle on its island with the ocean in the distance. It was truly spectacular.
After a while, the tracks through the forests became more and more winding.
“They call this the Mule Road,” announced the King to his daughter, “It leads over the peaks and to the darker land beyond.”
“The ‘darker’ lands?”, questioned the princess.
“Indeed. The ridge of the mountains shades the sun, so the north side is cooler and darker. They say it is a place of legends.”
“Don’t tease the girl,” interrupted the Queen. The King smiled and winked at his daughter.
Presently, an old man approached them. He was riding a mule down the steep Mule Road, seemingly from the other side of the high-ground. He informed the King's outriders that the road further up was impassable due to recent high winds having blown-down some tall trees. Only a small mule could navigate through the maze of branches, and it was not safe for the royal party to venture at risk. The King consulted his horsemen, and the decision was made to reluctantly abort the trek and turn back for the city below.
The young stablehand was anxious. He tried to capture the attention of the royal stewards, but they waved him away. The royal party descended the lane, but the young man hung back and surveyed the surrounding woodlands for signs of movement.
For the princess was missing! She had simply gone to the side of the track so that Amigo could take a long draught of cool spring water and, whilst doing so, the others had departed and left her behind.
The boy was seemingly the only one who had noticed.
Read more in your next instalment of The Magic Kissberries…