The weight of my hair had become unbearable, and so one day, I cut off a lock, wrapped it in a leaf, and threw it into the river. It was found by a prince who asked me to marry him.

I consented but I made him promise to allow me to go home every night. He did, and we married.

I won’t speak to him by day. He cannot persuade me to say a single word. I do believe, however, that I am falling in love with him. This is difficult because I have other attachments. Every night, I go to my friend who is Fairy, and we fly together to the palace of Indra, where we sing for the king of Fairyland.

Dorani Who Goes Home at Night in Dorani, Olive Fairy Book. Painting “The Veil” by William Adolphe Bouguereau.