I

This is a story about a little Irish elf, who did go all over the world looking for his dreams. Albert was his name. He lived in the shire where he was a skillful carpenter; he used to build carriages with big wheels. Josephine was his little fairy lover. She loved to go across the countryside together chasing fireflies; however, Albert always prefered to come back home very early before the the night came. For this reason they were not very successful in their fireflies hunting. How do you spect to catch them during the day when we can’t see them! -She used to say. But for Albert, it was more important to look after his gold pot. The night is full of bandits -He used to reply. So Albert enjoyed his days very much, working is his workshop, smoking his pipe, taking long walks and dancing some jive music; but It was a while since he could see some stars, and the magnificent moon.

Josephine, so beautiful she was; and so in love with her beloved. Oh Josephine, if she would know that what she planed to do would cause Albert go away from Ireland, she never would do it.

II

During the day Albert worked faithfully in his workshop, Josephine used to make bread with a german recipe, she also weaved very beautiful hats and kept the house very clean; specially the jar where the fireflies were suposed to be. But it was as clean and shiny as empty; that made her very sad as the days go by and they couldn’t catch any firefly. Albert noticed this and made a plan to take his girlfriend to a funny nocturnal hunting, at last. As he was very precise with his plans, just like a blueprint of a carriage he designed the activity with all details: hour of beginning and end, and a specific route to take; despite he want to make his girl happy, he couldn’t leave his pot full of gold alone too much time during the night, so he had to be sure to be able to catch a bunch of those bugs quickly and efficiently so he could come back as soon as possible. By the riverside, where frogs are listened -he thought. It would be a surprise for Josephine.

One day before the night hunting day, the beautiful fairy flew slightly and gracefully cleaning the workshop while Albert was taking a walk, after lunch, actually going through the route he had planed again; to be sure. He knew he will make Josephine happy, she really wanted to have a fireflies-full jar, it would enlight all the house. Meanhile, Josephine rearranged hammers, nails and chisels all between a floor full of sawdust. When she got to the blueprints table, she noted what seemed to be a new carriage; very odd. She looked at the paper carefully and sooner than later she got the picture. Oh what a wonderful surprise, her heart was beating fast, her eyes were shinning, what a lovely man Albert was.

As the evening was getting closer, Josephine couldn’t take what she had saw before out of her head; so many thoughts. It is strange what anxiety makes to us. As the time of the hunting was coming, the time of its end was closer too! -she thought- Albert will love to do this together, but I am sure he wants to do it only for one time; all because that stupid gold, which is useless -told her to herself.

-Honey, I forgot -claimed her to his elf man- I have to buy some leavening from the Singer Horse Store.
-What? I saw there was enough for tomorrow -He said worried, no lateness could have the plan- it’s getting cold let’s go tomorrow early morning.
-Don’t worry dear, I’ll be right back before the sundown, I made a new hat and scarf today -she replied and departed beating her wings making a soft buzz.

She went to the mice cave, looking for her old friends who were the proper creatures to break into their house and steal the beloved pot of gold…

III

The mice couldn’t understand completely what the fairy was talking about. They listened carefully, intrigued and confused. They were three of them: Robert, the bigger and older, he was the one Josephine wanted to speak with; Leopold, Robert’s cousin, fatty and gracious mouse very particular for his very long tail and the fancy cap he used to wear; and Laura their beautiful friend who always wore her ears backwards holded by a red kerchief with flower designs from the back of her head and tied with a carefully bow at the top, it looked very cute over her white hair. Laura and Josephine were very good friends, the little mouse used to get beautiful stones from caves to decorate Josephine’s hats.

-I don’t understand -Robert said- I do esteem Al a lot, and I know how much he loves his gold; I insist, I don’t understand.
-Don’t you think he could be happier without it? – replied the fairy with a very sweet voice- We won’t take it from him forever! Just for a while, for him to realize it is useless to hold it; he could spend more time with me, together, even with you, he has never come to your feasts -which were very famous. Even better -she countinued- once he forgets his pot we can take it out and spend the gold in something useful; it will surely make us happy, and you can come to the party!
-I agree -claimed the little lady mouse with joy- You men waste your minds with whatever is useless and unimportant.

They discussed for ten minutes. The mice soon were convinced by the sincerity of Josephine and the enthusiasm of Laura.

-When are we doing this? -Robert said.
-It must be done now, come with me to home -Did explain the beauty.
-No way, we can´t do it on daylight -argumented Leopold who had been quiet almost for all the conversation.
-Don’t be fool -said Josephine laughing between words- come with me, keep hidden behind the wheat straws and pay attention; I will point to the place where it is holded.

And here we are, two secret plans were supposed to be executed that evening: one more secret than the other, one more simple than the other, one more senseless than the other…

IV

The sky was turning grey and dark blue, Albert already inside the house were waiting impatiently staring down hill and had started sweating despite of the cold outside. He certaintly didn’t believe in improvisation. Unexpected events were not allowed while a plan is being executed; all the preconditions must be guarantied -he thought. The plan must be canceled, postponed at minimum. There should be another day to do it; after all, what was the reason to be hurry? Very stressed he was by the time the first thunder sounds began to be heard. It will start to rain soon, that’s another evidence; we are not doing this today -he decided. He lighted the fire, the sky kept getting darker when Josephine got in through the big window at the east side of the house.

-Oh my god honey, you do scared me! -Albert said, now full of anxiety- are you fine, why didn’t you knock at the door?
-Yes dear, don’t worry; I just wanted to see you so bad that I couldn’t wait -she replied with his particular voice full of sweetness.
-You said you will be back before the sundown, have you realized how dark it is now, and cold, and it will start raining soon? Have you noticed? -He asked while he shaked his hands restless but still with a soft voice.
-I am sorry dear, I just stoped to cut some daisys; look, aren’t they pretty? -and she showed to him the flowers with her to hands.

The flowers were truly beautiful, they seemed to smile and shine. Albert was about to start to cry, all the situation takes him to a crisis; how could he deny her girl wishes while she was so sweet? Just after she left the flower over the edge of the fire place, she soon noticed his wet eyes, fallen ears and droopy head, with the hair like a mess and got close to him; she hold him tenderly caressing his hair trying to fix it. I can’t do this -she thought- it is so hard to him to get away from that stupid gold pot; I can’t bring any suffering to him. She did shed some tears when he rose his head. Enough! -he heard inside his head- I can’t allow my girl is sad while has been so nice with me; I’ll bring a million fireflies to this house, it will be so bright that we won´t need the fire anymore and the sun will be jelous about how lighted our house is.

-Honey, let’s go outside, tonight I am taking you out, we will come back with a million fireflies -he did shout open his big mouth and with his arms wide open, smiling like he never did during the whole day.
-Oh my dear, it is wonderful, but can we do it some other night? You see? it is so dark and it will probably rain, just hear at the sky -she asked, by that time completely sorry.
-Don’t worry, the darker the better for our hunting, we will be back before the rain! -said Albert, keeping his extremities expanded and now laughing, all his fears were gone.

The elf took his beloved softly into his arms picked up coat, hat and scarf, got out battering the front door. The mice heard it clearly, focused and hidden, they were waiting behind the straws. The window at the east side of the house remained opened, and the flowers were in ready position; just above where the pot were supposed to be.

-Just on time -said Robert, sighing and touching his moustache- I wouldn’t like to wait here while it is raining. Now come on.
-Do you think we could keep some coins? -The pretty lady mouse asked…