Ella waded among the throng, moving some of the bigger birds out of the way. "You there," she said to one particularly large duck, "what do you think you're doing? Let the little ones have their share." Turning toward a goat with a rather large clump of grass in his mouth, Ella added, "Goliath, do take some time to chew your food. We don't want you getting an upset stomach."
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Spring had arrived in the kingdom. The grass in the meadow was a bright green, and flowers grew tall in their beds. Baby lambs grazed in the meadow, while ducks flapped around in a small fountain near the main house.
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Stepping through the front door, ten-year-old Ella inhaled deeply and smiled. She reached into her pocket and closed her small hand around the bread crumbs she had gotten from the kitchen. She skipped toward the ducks splashing about and began throwing the crumbs into the water.
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The ducks pecked at the bread, thrilled to have a treat. But they were not the only ones who wanted some. In an instant, sparrows flew down from the nearby trees, and even the goats and sheep began to make their way over. Soon it was chaos as all the animals and birds tried to get to the bread.
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"Oh, yes," she assured her daughter. "I believe that animals listen, and speak to us, if only we have the ear for it. That is how we learn to look after them."
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(Forgive the interruption, but I can't resist. I was always fond of Ella's mother. Such a good judge of character, and clearly smarter than most humans. But do go back to the story…)
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"Which is just as it should be," her mother declared.
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"I believe in everything," Ella's mother replied.
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A look of doubt filled Ella's bright blue eyes. "Don't they?"
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"Fairy godmothers, of course," her mother answered.
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A gentle laugh surprised Ella, and she turned around. Her mother was standing nearby, an amused expression on her face. "Do you still believe that they understand you?" she asked.
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A big smile spread across Ella's face. Then she frowned. "Who looks after us?"
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Ella was quiet for a moment, her mother's words running through her head. She nodded. "Then I believe in everything, too."
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Ella's eyes grew wide. "And do you believe in them?"
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Just then, Ella heard the sound of hoofbeats coming up the drive. She knew those hoofbeats. Ella let out a squeal before taking off across the meadow, heading for the drive. Her father was home!
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After several moments, Ella slid to the ground. As was part of her routine, she stepped up to Galahad and affectionately put her hand on his muzzle. The horse leaned into her. When Ella turned back around, her eyes widened with excitement. Her father was holding out a beautifully wrapped gift.
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Ella's father lifted her into his arms, nearly squishing her in a giant bear hug. She hugged back as hard as her little ten-year-old arms would allow. Then she took a deep breath, inhaling the smell of road and dust that accompanied her father whenever he returned. She loved the smell, even though she knew Mother would force him into a hot bath as soon as possible.
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Ella's father was often gone for long stretches of time on merchant business, and when he was away, the house was just a little less bright.
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"Papa!" Ella shouted, skipping the few remaining steps that separated her from her father. "Welcome home!"
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"What is it?" Ella asked eagerly.
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"Oh, nothing but a cocoon," her father replied. "I found it hanging on a tree."
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Ella repeated the phrase, the words funny on her tongue. Her father had been teaching her French whenever he was home, and she was slowly becoming more fluent. He said that a true lady knew the language of the poets as well as the language of the farmer.
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Ella raised an eyebrow. She knew it wasn't just a cocoon. Her father was teasing her. Ella's father gently shook the gift. "But I think there may be something inside." He held out the package, and very carefully, Ella unwrapped the gift. Then she let out a delighted gasp. Inside was the most beautiful and marvelous toy butterfly she had ever seen. With a practiced move, Ella's father took it and made the creature flutter around Ella's face. It looked like it was alive!
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"In French," her father explained, "that is un papillon."
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"Très bon," her father cried after she had repeated the phrase several times. Then he held out his hand. "Voulez-vous danser, mademoiselle?"
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"S'il vous plaît!" Ella exclaimed, dipping into a curtsy. Her father smoothly swept her into his arms, and they began to waltz their way up the rest of the drive to where Ella's mother waited, a happy smile on her face.
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As the song came to a close, Ella's parents stood up and began to blow out the candles one by one. Walking to the doorway, they turned to take another look at their sleeping angel. In that moment, everything seemed as it should be. They knew themselves to be the most fortunate people, to live as they did, and to love each other so.
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Ella's eyelids fluttered as she tried to stay awake. Looking down at her sweet daughter snuggled in her arms, Ella's mother began to sing a familiar lullaby. "Lavender's blue, dilly dilly. Lavender's green… When I am king, dilly dilly, you shall be queen…" Her voice drifted off as Ella's father entered the room. He placed a gentle kiss on his daughter's forehead. Smiling, Ella's mother began the final refrain. Ella woke and her soft voice joined in: "Lavender's green, dilly dilly. Lavender's blue… You must love me, for I love you."
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Later that night, Ella lay tucked in her bed. The butterfly sat on the nightstand in a place of honor, while her mother sat on the covers, holding a beautiful book. Her gentle voice filled the room as she told Ella a story about a faraway land, a large ogre, and a dashing prince.
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Hovering in the doorway of her father's study, Ella looked on as the doctor examined his patient. A bed had been set up and her mother lay on it, a shell of the beautiful woman she had once been. Now, his examination complete, the doctor began putting away his tools.
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However, sorrow can come to any kingdom, no matter how happy. And so it came to Ella's, for her mother grew very ill.
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"Ella," her mother said, her voice weak. "It seems it is time for me to leave. And we must say good-bye before I go." Tears began to run down Ella's cheeks. "I don't want you to be sad," her mother said. Then she paused and a small smile spread across her face. "Well, you can be sad for a little while. But then, whenever you think of me, I want you to smile. Because I'll be smiling, too, when I look at you."
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Hearing her father's tired voice, Ella hesitated before walking into the makeshift sickroom. The doctor put a hand on her shoulder as he departed. She knew he was trying to be reassuring, but it just made the sick feeling in her stomach grow stronger. Ella made her way to her mother's bedside and kneeled down, carefully placing her hand on top of her mother's.
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"Ella. Come."
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Her mother nodded back. "I want to tell you a secret -- a great secret that will see you through all the trials that life can offer." Ella leaned in, as her mother's voice was now barely a whisper. "You must always remember this: have courage and be kind. You have more kindness in your little finger than most people possess in their whole body. And it has power, more than you know."
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Ella's throat closed up and she struggled to say something. But words wouldn't come. So instead she just nodded.
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"Kindness has power?" Ella asked, confused.
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Her mother let out a deep sigh and sank back into the pillows. "Good, good," she said. "Now I have to go, my love. Forgive me."
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"And magic," her mother said. "Truly. Where there is kindness, there is goodness. And where there is goodness, there is happiness. Have courage and be kind. Will you promise me?"
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"I promise," Ella said, unable to stop the tears from falling.
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(Oh, reader, the loss of Ella's mother was a tragedy. But do you see what I mean? Such a wonderful woman. She would have made a wonderful fairy godmother. Though I know she watches over her dear, sweet Ella, just as I do.)
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In that moment, Ella heard the importance in her mother's words. She did the kind thing, even though it broke her heart, and forgave her mother, for she had promised. And she would keep her word. Ella would always try to be courageous and kind.
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