REWARDS AND FAIRIES

REWARDS AND FAIRIES is a historical fantasy book by British writer, RUDYARD KIPLING, first published in 1910 by MacMillan in London. The title comes from the poem "Farewell, Rewards and Fairies" by Richard Corbet, which was referred to by the children in the first story of Kipling's 1906 book, PUCK OF POOK’S HILL REWARDS AND FAIRIES, a sequel to Puck, is set one year later, although it was published four years afterwards. The original satire by Richard Corbet declares "Farewell rewards and Fairies /Good housewives now may say, /For now foul sluts in dairies /Do fare as well as they.” The book consists of a series of short stories and poems set in historical times and a linking contemporary narrative about Dan and Una, two children living in the Weald of Sussex in the area of Kipling's own home, who encounter Puck. He magically conjures up real and fictional individuals from Sussex's past to tell the children some aspect of the history and prehistory of the region, though the episodes are not always historically accurate and some of the stories contain elements of the supernatural as well as history. Another recurring character is Old Hobden, who represents the continuity of the inhabitants of the land. His ancestors sometimes appear in the stories and seem very much like him.