Granted

Ophelia Delphinium Fidgets is a “Granter,” a fairy who grants wishes. She graduated at the top of her class almost a year ago. However, Ophelia has not had the opportunity to grant any wishes yet. She is meticulous and likes things to be just right. She straightens her neat uniform and polishes her wings while waiting for her colleague and friend, Charlie Rhododendron Whistler.

A fairy’s middle name comes from the plant that birthed them. They share some characteristics with these plants. For instance, redwood fairies are usually tall and strong. Ophelia, who comes from a blue delphinium flower, has blue hair. A fairy’s last name comes from their Founder. Founders are fairies who bring newborn fairies from the outside world, which is full of humans and predators, to the Haven. The Haven is a protected area for fairies, guarded by magic. Founders care for young fairies until they can manage independently, but fairies grow up fast. Ophelia’s Founder, Paolo Hydrangea Speechless, noticed her constant movement and gave her the last name “Fidgets.” Ophelia’s first name was just a result of random chance, like many things in Haven.

Charlie and Ophelia go through the same routine every morning. He arrives late, hurriedly letting Ophelia know they do not have much time until the lottery. Ophelia, in turn, points out that Charlie is the reason for their lateness and she attempts to fix his constantly messy appearance. As Ophelia teases Charlie about his untidiness, he mocks her for being obsessively clean.

In the world of fairies, there are various professions like Bakers, Teachers, Menders, Growers, and more, but Granters hold a special place of honor. Their job is crucial, renewing magic throughout the Haven. Ophelia and Charlie are Granters, and they fly as fast as they can to make it to work on time.

Most fairies head to the Glade and gather around the Great Tree for the daily lottery. Charlie and Ophelia make their way to the front, which is a privilege of being Granters.

Barnabus Oleander Squint, Chief Granter and Ophelia’s boss, reports that people in North America made six million wishes the previous day. Disqualifications eliminated 200,000, and 400,000 more were removed for being “unlawful” since they wished harm on another person. There are more than five million wishes left, but the fairies can only grant 12 of them, which is far less than the 30 granted the day prior.

Each of the Great Tree’s leaves represents a wish. During the lottery ritual, leaves fall, and these fallen leaves indicate the wishes that will be granted. Charlie and Ophelia ponder the nature of the wishes, hoping these 12 are good ones.

A long time ago, fairies used to help humans directly by granting wishes they liked. However, as human populations exploded, taking up more land, it became difficult for fairies to stay hidden. Magic started to fade, turning Havens from places where fairies went for fun into homes where they sought safety. Fairies placed magical barriers around Havens to protect themselves. They need a continual supply of fairy dust to maintain these barriers. So, fairies set up a rule—they had to grant just enough wishes each day to generate enough fairy dust to keep Havens safe and fulfill wishes for the next day. When human beings believe in magic, their belief generates more fairy dust.

To keep track of human wishes, fairies made Great Trees in each Haven. They only grant wishes from the leaves that fall from these trees, trying to be as fair as possible.

Ophelia goes to Grant Tower, the largest tree in the Haven, with Charlie. On the way, they meet other Granters who are unhappy about the lack of wishes and magic. Sadly, many humans have stopped believing in magic, which means there is less magic in the world. Nevertheless, humans keep making wishes even without believing. The fairies are puzzling over what might be causing the decline in belief when another fairy, Rebecca Willow Whiner, interrupts them. She is upset about her assignment to grant a 13-year-old a PlayStation.

Rebecca thinks that several other wishes are better, saying this one is not worth her efforts. Ophelia offers to do it, but Rebecca doubts Ophelia can handle it. Charlie defends Ophelia, leading to a heated argument between Charlie and Rebecca.

Chief Granter Squint interrupts, scolding the fairies and reminding them of the importance of the Great Tree and the wish-granting system. Then, he sends Ophelia to his office.

Squint asks Ophelia her opinion about the wish-granting process. Ophelia struggles to answer but finally states that it is not up to her to judge the process. Satisfied, Squint proceeds to lecture Ophelia, emphasizing that the process has a 100% success rate and that the Granters Guild plays a crucial role in maintaining that success.

Squint inquires about the last time Ophelia visited the outside world, highlighting its numerous dangers. He then gives Ophelia her first assignment as a Granter. Ophelia’s task is to grant Kasarah Quinn’s wish.

The most challenging part of a Granter’s job is activating the magic, which requires the magic source—the coin, wishbone, dandelion, or other object the person wished upon.

Locating the source often proves to be the most complicated part of the process. Once found, the Granter sprinkles fairy dust over the object and declares, “Your wish is granted” (46). The magic handles the rest. Ophelia departs Squint’s office, thrilled that she is about to grant her first wish.

Kasarah Quinn is a 13-year-old from Kettering, Ohio. She wishes for a new purple bike as someone stole her old one. Ophelia must fly 300 miles from Haven to find the nickel Kasarah tossed into a fountain and use it to grant the wish.

Charlie expresses concern about Ophelia going on her first mission, much to Ophelia’s annoyance. He warns her about potential animal threats, ranging from grizzly bears to wombats. Ophelia reassures him that she can take care of herself.

Ophelia goes to see the Modders, the fairies who make and take care of the gear that fairies use in the field. One of the Modders, Arnold Amaryllis Rolleye, helps Ophelia prepare for her mission. He shares the same worries as Charlie about Ophelia’s task.

Ophelia gives Arnold a list of things she needs. Arnold asks about how she plans to stay safe. Ophelia talks about using camouflage—a magical trick that makes humans think fairies look like birds or insects. But Arnold disagrees. He explains that camouflage only works on humans, and other animals could still be problematic. So, he gives Ophelia two cans of knockout gas in case of danger. Ophelia asks for a pink flight suit, which adds to Arnold’s and Charlie’s worries.