Australian Fairy Tales - James Hume-Cook

"The Stories in this little book have been set down almost in the same words in which they were told. How the telling of them came about is a very simple matter. Having three children, each of whom loved a Fairy Tale, it somehow became the fashion, on Sunday evenings, to tell them a story. On one occasion, when the youngest member was just about to be taken to bed, his sister said; “None of the books about Fairies ever say a word about Australia! Are there any Australian Fairies, Father?” Somewhat hastily, perhaps, I answered: “Why, yes, of course! Whole tribes of them!” Instantly the order went forth: “Then you will please tell us about them the very next time you tell us a story!" - Summary by the author