The Wansdyke & District Forums

My little one came back from the field behind us very serious, saying shed found a fairy ring and we mustnt step in it. Where do they even learn this?! Anyway it sent me down a rabbit hole, there IS a proper ring of darker grass and mushrooms out there. Whats the actual folklore, for when she asks me more, which she will? Trying to be a good mum and not just say its a fungus, even though im fairly sure its a fungus.

Your daughter is quite right not to step in it, and you can tell her so with a clear conscience. The fairy ring is where they dance, and to step in, or worse to fall asleep in one, is to risk being taken, or to come out having lost a year, or seven, thinking it was a single night. It is a fungus, yes, the mycelium growing outward in a circle, and it is also the oldest and best of the warnings: here is a place where the rules are different, do not be careless here. Both things are true. The fungus does not cancel the warning; it is what the warning grew up around.

And the lost-time is the heart of it, which is a lovely and frightening thing to give a child gently. You go in for what feels like one dance, and you come out and everyone you knew is old or gone. Time runs differently on the other side of the ring. Tell her the fairies are real enough that we are polite to them and we do not step in their ring, and that is no lie, Sam, that is exactly how the wise have always put it. Politeness costs nothing, and the edges of things deserve respect.

oh this is perfect thank you both, shes going to LOVE the lost time bit (and be smug about being right). we walked out and said hello to the ring politely from the edge and she was delighted. honestly i half felt something myself, standing there, but thats just being a tired mum with an overactive imagination. lovely thread.