Betty knew, of course, that there were fairies everywhere,
Round about the garden paths, and in the pleasant air;
So, when she was running homeward through the bush from school,
And picked up a shilling by the bracken gully cool,
Betty clutched it tightly and ran fast along,
Singing to herself a very little fairy song.
Betty met Depression near a giant old red gum --
Mum and Dad and children three, all looking rather glum.
Betting gave the shilling to the littlest of the three,
Who was trying lo be good, as good as child could be.
Then she knew the fairies really had been out that day.
What the fairies give to you you always give away.
First published in The Sydney Morning Herald, 16 February 1935
