I see the fairies

“It is frightfully difficult to know much about the fairies, and almost the only thing for certain is that there are fairies wherever there are children.” ― J.M. Barrie

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Growing up, we’ve always heard of fairies and gnomes and nymphs and every creature that lives in the forests you see on the side of the highway — but you never hear of changelings.

According to old folklore, changelings are creatures that look like humans and are often switched at birth with look-alikes through windows at night. This is because fairies are intrigued by humans and want one for themselves. It is sacred to be loved by a human. What does that mean for the changeling, though? Are they confused? Are they scared? Do they feel unworthy of love? What do they become?

I’ve always found this fascinating. How is it that fairies, who are beautiful, magical and powerful, want a human? Humans who many see as cruel, ungrateful and barbaric. It makes me wonder what they see in us. I like to think it’s because they see kindness in all humans.

I’m a person who thinks that the world isn’t inherently evil. In a world filled with so many terrible happenings, what good will I do if I add more negativity in the atmosphere? Being kind without assuming the worst of others is a right that I believe everyone deserves, especially when there are so many others who insist on holding prejudice against individuals based on sexuality, race, political views or gender. This is coming from someone who has faced adversity for every one of those traits I’ve listed.

I know you’re asking, “What about those really, really bad people?” Because everyone I talk to asks that. They say I’m crazy to be open to listening and giving second chances to those who commit crimes, but I think you must. If you have no trust in your own species, if you choose to not believe in others, to not believe in other humans, there is nothing else left. I can’t walk outside every day and assume each person I pass is terrible and has ill intentions. I would never leave the house if my mind was filled with those thoughts; thus, I simply choose not to.

I understand that learning to trust others again is hard, especially as the news constantly runs headlines to highlight the bad, but coming from someone who works in the newsroom? There are twice as many good stories compared to the bad. It’s just that those aren’t interesting to the public.

So, I encourage you to choose to believe in others, just as kids choose to believe in fairies. Children aren’t tainted like us adults. They see the world in the purest light. If they see the fairies and they see the good in others, it must be true. I’ll believe them and see the fairies, too.

Besides, I like to say that the ones that I truly can’t dismiss with a valid reason, maybe they’re the changelings. They weren’t meant to be in our world — to live by our rules — so it makes sense that they might struggle with morals. It’s easier to understand that some are simply lost rather than evil.

Oh, did I mention I like to read books?