Earning Your Wings

20250430

Prompt from DailyPrompt.com

Kellie had been running a bookshop for nearly thirty years now, and had served plenty of ‘supernatural’ clients. But this request was unusual.
“Advice on performing great works?” Kellie blinked and adjusted her spectacles. (Non-prescription, tinted to avoid headaches. Plus she felt so much more bookish in them and she was sure it put her clients at ease.) “Ah, what kind?”
“Any.” The tiny humanoid said plaintively. “I’m almost seven and I still haven’t earned my wings!”
“Um. I’m afraid I don’t know how that works.”
“Once fairies are grown up we need to go out into the world and perform our first Great Deed.” The apparently fairy explained. “Then we sprout our wings! And get our full magic.”
“Ah.” How curious. Kellie made a mental note to order a book on this. “So it’s about doing something that your magic views as a ‘great deed’? There’s no, er, industry guidelines?”
“None.” The fairy said despondently. “For some fairies it’s easy. My best friend baked a really good cake for someone’s birthday and BAM! Wings and baking magic. Then you get fairies like my brother - he completed law school and BAM! Magical ability to memorise stuff and tell when people are lying and all sorts. Meanwhile I keep trying stuff and nothing works!”
“Hmm.” Kellie tapped her chin. “Was your friend passionate about baking?”
“Yes, that’s a factor.” The fairy shrugged. “And yes, my brother’s always been big on social reform and stuff.”
Made sense. Kellie nodded. “So, what are you passionate about?”
“Getting my wings!”
Kellie hesitated. This really wasn’t her field, but based on what she understood of magic she suspected-
“Alright, yes, I know I need more than that.” The fairy kicked at the countertop and sighed heavily.
“Sounds like you don’t need a book on great works, you need a constructive obsession.” Kellie smiled. “Let’s start with some books on finding yourself, then hit the hobby section. Ooh, and I have a directory of local clubs…”

Prompt was “A fairy has to do something to gain their wings”.