The Diary of Joy

Friends Accidentally Found

1. Joy, the year of the Phoenix

Dear Angel,

As a half-fairy, I often come into contact with a lot of magical and nonmagical beings, and I love helping out all of them. However, I especially love helping animals.

It seems to me like beings of magic don't need as much help as some animals do, and that is why I do my best, to be of assistance. I especially love helping the birds, because they are some of my oldest and dearest friends.

Ever since I was really small, I loved flying up the trees and playing with the young hatchlings. I felt a certain connection with them that I didn't feel with other animals. It might have been because we both have wings, or the fact that they could live high above the ground far away from all the bustle of everyday life. Whatever the case might be, I've always loved spending time with them.

At first, the mother birds were frightened of me, afraid that I might hurt their young ones, but soon enough I earned their trust. They realized that I meant them no harm, and that I could help them.

As time went by, they would leave me alone with the hatchlings when they went to gather food, safe in the knowledge that they could take their time, because I was watching over their young ones.

As for the little birdies, they were so cute and fun to be around. There is something special in seeing the wonder and joy in the eyes of the newly born, which are always eager to explore the world. I always admired that about them. How soon they were ready to brave the heights and learn to fly. Always ready to uncover more, to see more.

Every time the new hatchlings were learning how to fly, I would fly nearby ready to catch them if they ever stumbled and fell. They never did, and yet that doesn't stop me from fretting every time.

As you might imagine, I have seen many birds grow up in my lifetime, and nowadays adult birds who were once hatchlings I cared for are my friends.

It can be so fun to play with them, to fly around each other in a dance of freedom and joy. Sometimes, we would just spread our wings and let the wind carry us wherever it wished.

However, this behavior of mine has caused some people, who always saw me as a strange hybrid, to see the confirmation of their words in my unusual action.

Suffice it to say that I was relentlessly teased about our "Freedom dance" as we call it. That's why we are more careful about it these days. We don't do it where someone can see us, but that takes out some fun out of it.

Why can't people just mind their own business? We are not harming anyone, so why not let us be who we are? Why judge and second guess everything we do?

The most good-natured magical beings turned out to be the elves, and that's why these days, me and my bird friends spend a lot of time there. Besides, my grandma allows me to treat my friends with some of the best grains in the land, which they appreciate.

Often, I get carried away and forget that I am not a bird while surrounded by my feathery friends, and it feels good. They don't expect me to be one way or the other, they just accept me for me. One time, I almost ate the grains I got for them since I got so carried away in my bird games.

Anyway, I guess I generally have a good relationship with most of the flying beings, except for the fairies. Although I am part fairy, they have never even given me a chance.

I hope that if my grandmother and grandfather manage to fully accept me, the others might follow their example. But for now, I shall enjoy the true friends I do have.

Like the pegasus who keeps bringing me the most delicious fruits that the lands have to offer. His name is Sunbeam, and we ran into each other a few years back. Literally.

On a warm summer night, I was flying towards the river and upon seeing it glistening in the moonlight, I dove straight for it. I was hoping that the air near the river would be a bit cooler and offer some relief from the heat. I guess, he had the same idea.

Before either of us knew what was happening, I fell on his back with a loud thud. It was so random that it took me a moment to realize what had happened.

Before I had the chance to regain my balance and fly away, he landed on the river bank with grace that I thoroughly admired.

"Who are you? What do you think you are doing?" He said.

"I am sorry, I was just trying to cool down, and the next thing I know I am on your back," I said.

Honestly, I was scared of his reaction. I don't like to offend anyone and feel very uncomfortable when that does happen. What happened next was something I hadn't expected.

He started laughing.

"I was trying to do the same, but I got carried away by the prospect of cooling my hooves that I didn't see you there." He said.

That was when I realized that I have found a kindred spirit in the white pegasus with a heart-shaped birthmark on his face.

Ever since that day, we have been good friends, and even Echo likes him.

Trust me, that's saying a lot since Echo barely ever likes other beings.

I don't blame him, though, because of the hard life he has learned to be cautious and not to be too trustworthy. His physical appearance has caused him a lot of problems in his early life, and it takes some time for him to realize that he is our friend no matter how he looks like.

It was the first time I have seen him take such an instant liking to someone, and I am happy for him. It is good to be surrounded by good friends.

Anyway, today there will be another autumn festivity, the Abundance Dance, and I better start getting ready. It is bound to be fun. I still haven't put on a special outfit that makes dancing easier and I don't have much time.

Echo will be here any minute, and I can't tell him I was late because I felt like writing in my diary.

He is a boy, and he wouldn't understand why girls need to let out their emotions. It's lost on him how overwhelming and confusing female emotions and thoughts can be.

Anyway, thank you for always being my friend.

Love, Joy