BALLADE of DEDICATION
by Andrew Lang · from The Princess Nobody: A Tale of Fairyland
Adapted Version
Hello, my dear friends! I made a new book. It is just for you. This book is for our home. It is for dark winter nights. We can read it together. It is cozy inside. It is too cold to play outside. This book will be so fun.
I thought of this book. It came from my own head. I worked late at night. I used a small lamp. A clever artist drew the pictures. His name was Dicky Doyle. I looked at his drawings. I made up stories for them. It was hard work. It was fun work too. I loved it.
Winter comes. It is very cold. The wind blows strong. Rain falls down. The river gets big. It flows very fast. We cannot go outside. We cannot ride our bikes. We cannot skate on ice. This book is for those times. It keeps us warm inside. We feel safe.
You will see a brave Prince. You will see his good friend. They have many adventures. The artist drew them so well. Remember their big journey. Remember their hard work. They were very clever. They were very strong. Think of them now. They are heroes.
My stories have Fays. Fays are tiny and magical. My stories have big Giants. Giants are very tall. I hope you like them. I hope they are not old. I hope you find them fun. My dear friends, I truly hope so.
If you like this book. I can write more stories. I will make more tales. I love to tell stories. I cannot draw pictures. I am not an artist. Dicky Doyle drew so well. His drawings are the best. I just write the words. That is my job.
Girls, I wish you no fear. I wish you no sad feelings. Boys, play games well. Play with a strong bat. Play with a fast ball. Be happy and be kind. Please do not say this. Do not say I spoil the art. Dicky Doyle's art is great. I love his drawings too. I hope you like this book a lot. Happy reading, my friends! Enjoy it.
Original Story
BALLADE OF DEDICATION.
o all you babes at Branxholm Park,This book I dedicate;
A book for winter evenings dark,
Too dark to ride or skate.
I made it up out of my pate,
And wasted midnight oil,
Interpreting each cut and plate—
The works of Dicky Doyle!
When weary winter comes, and hark!
The Teviot roars in “spate”;
When half you think you’ll need the Ark,
The flood’s so fierce and great;
Think of the Prince and of his mate,
Their triumph and their toil,
And mark them drawn in all their state—
The works of Dicky Doyle!
Now, if my nonsense hits the mark—
If Wynnie, Pop, and Kate,
Think tales of Fays and Giants stark,
Not wholly out of date—
Another time, perchance, I’ll prate,
And keep a merry coil,
Though ne’er I’ll match the drawings great—
The works of Dicky Doyle!
ENVOY.
Girls, may you ne’er know fear nor hate;
Boys, field like Mr. Royle!
And, please, don’t say I desecrate
The works of Dicky Doyle!
Taming a Butterfly.
Story DNA
Plot Summary
The author dedicates his newly created book to children at Branxholm Park, explaining that he wrote it during dark winter evenings, inspired by the illustrations of Dicky Doyle. He hopes the tales of Fays and Giants will entertain them when outdoor play is impossible, encouraging them to remember the characters. He promises more stories if this one is enjoyed, humbly acknowledging Doyle's superior artistry, and concludes with a playful envoy asking for his work not to be seen as desecrating Doyle's.
Themes
Emotional Arc
joyful anticipation to fond remembrance
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Andrew Lang was a Scottish poet, novelist, literary critic, and folklorist, known for his collections of fairy tales (e.g., Lang's Fairy Books). This poem reflects the Victorian era's appreciation for children's literature and illustration.
Plot Beats (7)
- The author dedicates his new book to children at Branxholm Park, specifically for dark winter evenings.
- He explains that he created the book from his own mind, working late to interpret Dicky Doyle's illustrations.
- He suggests the book is perfect for when winter is harsh, the river is flooding, and outdoor play is impossible.
- He encourages the children to recall the 'Prince and his mate' and their story, as depicted by Doyle.
- The author hopes that his stories, featuring Fays and Giants, will appeal to Wynnie, Pop, and Kate.
- He hints at writing more tales in the future if this book is well-received, despite knowing he can't draw like Doyle.
- In the envoy, he wishes the girls freedom from fear and hate, and the boys athletic skill, while playfully asking not to be accused of disrespecting Dicky Doyle's art.
Characters
Wynnie ○ minor
A young girl, likely of slender build, with the rosy cheeks typical of children from a colder climate. Her height would be that of a child, perhaps 6-8 years old.
Attire: A practical, warm dress made of wool or sturdy cotton, possibly with a pinafore over it, in muted colors suitable for indoor play during winter in a Scottish estate. Perhaps a tartan pattern or a simple solid color.
Wants: To be entertained and transported by stories.
Flaw: Perhaps a typical childish impatience or short attention span.
No significant arc within this short dedication.
Curious, imaginative, and appreciative of fairy tales.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young girl, approximately 7 years old, with fair skin and rosy cheeks. She has a round face, bright blue eyes, and long, light brown hair styled in two neat braids that fall over her shoulders. She wears a warm, dark green wool dress with a white lace collar and a simple, cream-colored pinafore over it. Her posture is attentive and slightly leaning forward, with a curious expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Pop ○ minor
A young boy, likely of sturdy build, active and perhaps a bit boisterous, as suggested by the mention of 'riding or skating'. His height would be that of a child, perhaps 8-10 years old.
Attire: Practical, warm clothing suitable for a boy in a Scottish estate during winter, such as a tweed jacket, knickerbockers, wool stockings, and sturdy boots. Colors would be earthy and muted.
Wants: To be entertained and engaged, especially with exciting stories.
Flaw: Might find quiet indoor activities less appealing than outdoor ones.
No significant arc within this short dedication.
Active, imaginative, and likely enjoys adventurous tales of Fays and Giants.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young boy, approximately 9 years old, with fair skin and a scattering of freckles. He has a slightly square face, keen brown eyes, and short, neatly combed dark brown hair. He wears a grey tweed jacket over a white collared shirt, dark blue knickerbockers, and knee-high wool socks with sturdy brown leather boots. His posture is upright and attentive, with a hint of restless energy. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Kate ○ minor
A young girl, likely of slender build, with the rosy cheeks typical of children from a colder climate. Her height would be that of a child, perhaps 6-8 years old.
Attire: A practical, warm dress made of wool or sturdy cotton, possibly with a pinafore over it, in muted colors suitable for indoor play during winter in a Scottish estate. Perhaps a tartan pattern or a simple solid color.
Wants: To be entertained and transported by stories.
Flaw: Perhaps a typical childish impatience or short attention span.
No significant arc within this short dedication.
Curious, imaginative, and appreciative of fairy tales.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young girl, approximately 6 years old, with fair skin and a delicate complexion. She has a sweet, oval face, wide grey eyes, and shoulder-length wavy blonde hair tied back with a simple ribbon. She wears a warm, plaid wool dress in shades of red and blue, with a plain white cotton apron over it. Her posture is slightly hunched, as if engrossed in thought, with a gentle, thoughtful expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Branxholm Park
A large park, likely with open spaces for riding and skating, situated near the Teviot river.
Mood: Cozy, sheltered, yet aware of the wild, untamed winter weather outside.
The dedication of the book to the children at the park, setting the scene for winter reading.
Image Prompt & Upload
A wide, snow-dusted park landscape in the Scottish Borders during a late winter afternoon. The Teviot river, swollen and turbulent, carves a dark path through the center, its banks lined with bare, gnarled trees. Overcast skies cast a cool, muted light over the scene, with hints of a fading orange glow on the horizon. Distant rolling hills are visible under the heavy sky. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Cozy Indoor Setting (Implied)
A warm, well-lit interior space where children gather to read stories during dark winter evenings.
Mood: Warm, inviting, imaginative, safe, contrasting with the harsh weather outside.
The intended setting for reading the fairy tales, where the author's 'nonsense' is appreciated.
Image Prompt & Upload
A warm, inviting interior of a Scottish country house drawing-room during a dark winter evening. A roaring fire casts flickering golden light onto a patterned rug and the polished dark wood of a large bookcase filled with leather-bound volumes. Several children are gathered on plush armchairs and cushions, engrossed in a book, their faces illuminated by the firelight and a soft glow from a nearby oil lamp. Heavy curtains are drawn across tall windows, shutting out the stormy night. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
