The One That Got Away

The late afternoon sun slants across the cobblestone path as you hurry toward an appointment—afternoon tea with the elusive Professor Bert Whistleweed. Renowned for his work in faerology, he has spent decades studying rare flower fairies. Upon entering his study, you’re greeted by the scent of old books and dried petals, but the professor, engrossed in his work, doesn’t notice you. His desk is cluttered with glass vials containing glowing fairies from his expeditions, including the Flos Minimus Whistleweedius, a tiny species from Peru. Yet, one large, empty vial labeled "The Japanese Sakura Fairy Queen" stands out.

The professor speaks of this fairy with a mix of awe and regret. During a five-year trip to Japan, he glimpsed her in Kyoto, but she vanished before he could capture her. He returned to England with only an empty net and the haunting memory of her beauty. You sense the weight of his quest—a lifetime spent chasing fairytales, with the happily ever after still beyond reach.