This time we are re-envisioning a Russian tale called, "The Fire Fairy". The original version with all the backstory can be found here.
The Louisiana Fire Fairy
Deep in the Louisiana bayou, lived a poor fisherman man named Stuart Martel, his wife, Julienne, and Stuart's son, Luc. Making a living on the edge of the bayou wasn't easy and the family didn't always have enough to eat. Luc tried to help by going out fishing with his father, but his stepmother didn't hide her resentment of Luc and blamed him for what they lacked.
After another hungry day and an evening of anger, Luc Martel gathered his small number of possessions and stormed out. He determined that he would make his fortune by finding the rare Louisiana opal and he would never have to go hungry again.
Setting off on his journey, Luc Martel fell in with a group of opal hunters, including a seasoned veteran named Henri Bernard. As they gathered around the fire one night, a small, fiery figure emerged from the flames, her hair a blazing red, her dress a vibrant blue, and a blue kerchief in her hand. She danced playfully, her teeth shining bright, before disappearing just as quickly as she appeared.
Henri and the others are momentarily stunned, but in the distance, they hear the hoot of an owl and somehow forget about the strange occurrence. Luc Martel, however, cannot shake the memory of the fiery figure, who he believes to be the Fire Fairy, a harbinger of good fortune for those who can find the Louisiana opals. The other hunters ridicule him for his belief, but Henri takes a liking to the boy and the two become close friends. They soon part ways with the other hunters.
Days pass and Luc Martel and Henri Bernard see the Fire Fairy repeatedly, always leading them deeper into the Bayou. Every time she appears, Henri forgets the dance as soon as the owl hoots in the night, but he remains steadfast in his belief in Luc.
Luc Martel follows her tirelessly, determined to find the opals and prove himself worthy of Henri's faith. No one has ever believed in him the way the old man has.
"Luc, you must understand," Henri explains to the boy one day. "The Fire Fairy is not a simple fairy tale. She is a powerful force, and not just anyone can find the opals she guards."
"But I am worthy," Luc replies, determined.
"Yes, I believe you are," Henri agrees. "But the journey is not an easy one. The Fire Fairy will only reveal the opals to those who are truly willing to put in the work and the time."
And so, Luc continues his pursuit, with Henri by his side. They spend days trudging through the swamps, following the Fire Fairy's dances and cries. As they draw closer to the opals, they begin to sense a change in the fairy. She seems to be growing weaker with each passing day.
Finally, one night, the Fire Fairy leads them to a small clearing, where a glittering vein of Louisiana opals lies waiting for them. Luc and Henri are overjoyed, but their joy is short-lived as they realize that the Fire Fairy has transformed into an old woman. She appears exhausted and weak.
"Thank you, Fire Fairy," Luc says, offering her his hand. "You have led us to the opals we have sought for so long. With these, we can buy food and land and start good productive lives."
"I have led you here because I believe in you, Luc Martel, and you believed in me. I know that you will take these beautiful opals and use them for your own good but also to help others in need," the fairy replies, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can no longer maintain this form. I must return to the earth for a time, and rest."
And with that, the fairy disappears, leaving Luc Martel and Henri Bernard with the opals they had sought. They live the rest of their days in wealth and happiness, but they never forget the sacrifice the fairy made to help them find their treasure.
Luc Martel became a successful merchant with ships coming and going from the dock in the city of New Orleans with Henri Bernard as his trusted partner.
Luc Martel sent for his father and his stepmother, forgiving her for her cruel treatment of him and she cried in gratitude, thankful for his kindness. She resolved to be a better person and to treat him with the love and nurturing that he deserved.
Years pass, and despite his wealth and success, every now and then, Luc Martel would go out into the bayou in search of Louisiana opals, hoping to find a glimpse of the dancing Fire Fairy, ready to pay homage to the mysterious, powerful force that had changed his life forever.