This is a delicate blossom of a fairy tale.

There are two sisters whose family tend a magical grove of willows—two of whom called the Professors are very special. They are grammarians; the masters of conjugation and the creators of verbs and tenses. The sisters Ysabel and Esther sing to the willows whenever they can. They are independent, creative and clever.

Both girls have lovers. Esther has the love of Rin, an Arcadian who is magical and handsome. Ysabel has Sam Pollard, a wealthy villager who wants to acquire the magical willows on the river side as a part of Isabel’s dowery. He proves himself a nasty soul, especially because he really wanted Esther for himself and despises the folk of Arcadia. Pollard is the stain of darkness in this tale and takes his thwarted love out on Esther. And the sisters are sundered for a while and unhappiness swallows their lives.

As I said, a very delicate tale with illustrations throughout. But a wonderful story to read on a slow afternoon beneath your favorite summer shady spot.

This story is followed by another short fantasy called John Hollowback and the Witch, a cautionary tale in the finest mode of all good fairytales. Very curious! ~~ Sue Martin