The Fairy Nightingale

Have you ever wondered how the phrase, ‘as good as gold’, was coined?

Well, years ago, some fairies dwelt in the forest which grew like a thick beard on the face of Carn Bugail. Most fairies have a shekel or two stashed away and these were the exception. But the fair-folk are not money-grabbers and delight in bestowing their bounty on worthy humans.

A little chap called Idris lived in nearby Fochriw, the village on the cheek of the hill, and, one day, was adverturing in the woodland when he heard a bird carolling. A nightingale, the sweetest songster of all, was perched on the bough of an oak, encircled by ten ash trees, and he addressed Idris thus. “Never have I seen you in the forest before, but somehow, I know that you are a good boy, I feel it in my feathers. Service others and the fairies will favour you.”

With that, the nightingale disappeared in a flurry of down.

The next day Idris returned to the woods where he crossed paths with a man who was as old as history. “Pray young sir,” bade the old-timer, “show me a kindness, share a crust with one who hungers”.

Idris gave half the loaf he’d brought for lunch and the old man turned in a trice into a fairy saying, “you saw me, yesternoon, in the guise of a nightingale: today I appeared as a hungry old man. You heeded my advice and gave half of what you had without a second thought. One good turn deserves another, so we will share our fairy purse with you. You are a good boy … as good as gold.”

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