inspiration + perspiration = invention :: T. Edison ::
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The leaves, crimson as blood or yellow as the sun, are falling. Now, they are brown and brittle. They carpet the forest floor, fall fairies darting back and forth: zing, zip! They go through routine, making the leaves fall, fall, fall. Clouds roll in, winds blow and rip and tear, their arms reaching out to meddle and destroy anything in sight. Then the frost fairy, Jack Frost, dressed in his white cap and suit of cold, drives out the merry fall fairies with his band of winter. They invade the old-before-time halls, making it snow and frost, freezing the forest, throwing a curtain of despair and desolation.
Suddenly, the spring faries arrive, allied with their summer cousins, and drive out the Winter King and all his company. Blossoms bud and flowers grow, spring coming. It is full bloom in May, with fawns and foals and beautiful flowers: buttercups, pansies, daffodils, violets, and a majestic red rose bush for the Spring Queen to live in.
Summer fairies, who had waited their turn, now are given rulership. They make buds become juicy apples, seeds become vegetables. Yearlings come, learning. Faintly, there is a rumor: "Hurry, prepare, fall...." But drunk with apple juice and lazy with food, Summer does not heed.
Then, it is too late! Fall, who had been drive out, now returns in greater number. The battle is short, in vain against this powerful enemy. Fall is here. These faries make pumpkins appear, make it colder, and breezes are always around. Magically, the green leaves are turned to the faries' favorite colors. Unwise, however, because King Jack can now see where to center his attack. When the funny fairies hear of his army, they try to take the tale-tell signs down, zing, zip! However, their foolishness has betrayed them once again, and overthrows them.
Winter returns.