Janet Jay

Belief in fairies? I smiled and told myself I was too old for the concept. I used to imagine myself in Never Land, flying around with Peter Pan, and fighting with Captain Hook. But, of course, I was sure that wasn’t possible in reality. To go to Never Land, I would have to meet Peter Pan himself, who, obviously doesn’t exist. At least I thought so until that fine morning…

I was alone in my house. It was summer and my brother and I were on holidays. My parents had both gone out of the country for a week for their work, and my brother, older than me, though we were of the same date, had gone to get something from the grocer’s. We usually go together, riding our bikes and racing, but that day, I felt lazy and wanted to do something at home. His name was Peter as well, and I’m called Jane. As I was saying, I was alone at home sitting idly, and thinking of what to do. I love writing, so I thought of writing something. Thinking meditatively, I started to imagine a new story about Peter Pan. I know I may not have the right to, but he was the first character that popped into my mind (just like him, too). As I took my pen and notebook, I felt the sensation of being flown off at the speed of light. I told myself not to be silly, that I can’t fly, but the sensation persisted, and soon the great speed made me unconscious.

When I came to, I found myself in a beautiful garden besides a lake… as soon as I looked at the lake, I shook myself and looked again- yes it really was a lake of chocolate and cream! I scratched my head in confusion and looked around. As I stood up, my notebook and pen slipped from my lap. At least I was lucky enough to have brought them along with me, I thought, as I stooped to pick them up.

“Well, boy, how do you like it?” I heard a girl’s voice. I looked round in surprise, there was no-one. Then, as an impact, I looked up, and there she was, floating in the air, her legs crossed. Of, course, I’m not a boy, but I was wearing my trousers, and had had a haircut recently. I told her so. “I’m not a boy. I’m a girl like you. My name’s Jane, what’s yours?” I asked, friendly, as I am.

“Oh! I’m sorry! My name’s Janet Jay. Wow, our names are so similar, only a ‘t’s’ difference!” She said, clapping her hands happily. I was surprised to note she was only eleven years old. Being almost fifteen, I asked, “Did you bring me here?” “Yes.” She replied with authority, pride visible on her young face. “Didn’t you feel my weight? I’m much older than you, you couldn’t possibly have managed to pick me up alone.” I said, curious to know if ‘Miss Tinker Bell’ had been involved, and wanting to meet the pixie.
“Well, as a matter of fact, my friend Alpha the Elf helped me. When someone wears one of his many rings, the red one in fact, they become so light, gravity has no effect on them. When we got here, I returned his ring, that’s why you’re down there.” I felt disappointed, and my face fell. “You mean, I can't fly like you, without that ring?” I asked sadly. “Of course you can!” She said. “But only if I want you to.” She added.

I smiled, telling myself I’d try that later, and changed the subject. “So why did you bring me here?” “Well, you were about to write another story on Mr. Peter Pan, I thought why not change your mind and show you the Janet Jay instead? And I couldn’t stand another Peter Pan story, since he’s my rival…” “Your rival!” I exclaimed, interrupting and startling her. “Of course! Didn’t I tell you? He’s my twin brother…” I stopped myself from another ejaculation. “He always used to boss me around so much! So I changed my address. It’s the third star on the left straight on till evening…” “Evening?” I couldn’t stop myself from saying, startling her again, my head starting to spin with stars. “You do interrupt so much! Yes, till evening. And late evening at that! You don’t expect me to get you during the night, do you? I’m an early bird. We start in the morning at 8. It is farther from Peter’s star too, second to right. Where was I? Oh, yeah! So since you were planning to write a Pan story, and I didn’t want that to happen, I brought you here.” She finally finished. I burst with the question I had repressed till then, “You said it takes almost the whole day to get here. If we start at 8 morning, we get here late evening.” She nodded. “Do you mean to say that I’ve been here for a day and a night, since we started much after 11, and it’s day here?” “Yes, of course! You don’t expect me to fly at the speed of light and get here in an hour, do you? And you sleep for a long time too!” I started to get worried. “That means, I’ve been missing from home for a whole day and whole night!” I talked to myself, but also looked at her inquiringly. She rolled her eyes, “Obviously.” Knowing she was growing a bit impatient with my fretting, I avoided voicing my worries out loud, and changed the subject. “So you don’t want to grow up, either, like your brother?” “Oh, no! I’d love to grow up and be like other girls. But we have a problem, my brother and I. When Pete fell from his cradle, he was so scared, he pulled me with him. Obviously, when the fairies came to take him, I tried pulling him back, being a sister and scared myself. But we were both newborn babies, we did not have enough power to fight against the fairies and stay back. So we were both carried off to Never Land. Of course, we grew for eleven years. We couldn’t possibly have survived on our own as babies forever. We were tended by the fairies for the first three years. Then we grew on our own till we were eleven. We stayed together in Never Land for three years after turning eleven, but then I left Peter. As soon as I left him, however, we got cursed: We started to grow younger. Only ten years are left for our lives, what will happen after that is beyond me.” She shook her head sadly.

I was horrified to hear such a news. “You mean, you’d just disappear? Isn’t there a way to avoid it?” “There is! I’d have to go back to Never Land and live with him again. But I’m not going to do it! He’s just too full of himself! Besides, he can come here and live with me as well. If he’s not coming, why should I go? I’m also his sister-I’m just as stubborn as he is!” She said, folding her arms on her chest with finality. “But you must stay together! No-one can survive alone! Do you want the world to forget both of you? You don’t hate your brother, do you?” I asked her. “Of course I don’t hate him. My sisterly emotions don’t allow me to do that. But I don’t like him either. I can't live under pressure. If he’s a free being, then so am I. Why can't he do his own bed, and make his own lunch? He doesn’t have to do anything more important. Then why can't he help me? I can't do everything on my own. I’m only a young girl.” “You’re right in that. But why don’t you say that to Peter? I’m sure he’ll understand.” “I’m sure he’ll understand, she says.” She mocked. “He doesn’t bother to listen to anyone. Do you know, when I was leaving, last year, one of the Lost Boys came to me secretly and whispered if they could come as well. I told him to wait for me in winter, so that I could look for a suitable home till then. Oh, yeah, I know you must be wondering why do I go there, in fact this will be my first year, when I have left him. Well, I do miss the boys, and I am his sister after all. I miss him too and I’m sure he misses me as well: I saw him crying on the night before the day I left. Besides his tree house will get so filthy if it isn’t cleaned.” She sighed. “If only that boy would understand that I’m as small as he is, I would leave this more wonderful place for him.” She said. “Maybe I should talk to him. Then will he understand?” I asked, earnestly wanting to help. “I don’t know if he’d like that, but you can try. He’ll come for me in the afternoon today, if he remembers. And if he agrees, we can go to Never Land together.” She replied with some hope in her voice. “Together?” I repeated in surprise. “Well, if we do become friends again, I couldn’t possibly let my story be known without Peter or Never Land being in it. It’s so beautiful.” “How selfless and loving you are!” I exclaimed, impressed with her kindness. “But didn’t you say this place was more beautiful? What do you call it?” I said, longing to see the whole of it. “Oh, I named it Fairy Land, since it was a bunch of fairies I followed here.” “Nice name. But I don’t see any fairies. Won't you please show me your Fairy Land, Janet? I’m so impressed by it, I do so want to see everything.”

For the first time, since we had met, Janet Jay stared at me carefully. I raised my eyebrows and braced myself for a rude refusal. To my surprise, she smiled and said, “Well, I think we can manage that.” Then she called, “Dink! Dink! Come here, dear I want you!” Soon I heard a bell like music around me. And out popped, what do you think? Of course a fairy. “Tinker Bell’s sister, I presume?” I said. “Cousin.” Janet corrected me. She then whispered to her something I couldn’t make out. However, whatever she said excited the fairy so much, she outdid herself in flying. When Janet finally caught her, she brought her to me, and shook her over my head as Peter Pan had shook Tinker Bell over Wendy and her brothers. But it wasn’t dust that fell over me, it was petals. Yes, tiny Jasmine petals. “Petals?” I said doubtfully, catching a few in my hands. “They’re magical petals, they’ll give you the ability to fly.” Janet told me, letting go of Dink, who flew off in a kind of rage. “Sorry, Dink, but she’s a good friend!” Janet said. I was happy to be called a ‘good friend’ by the sister of Peter Pan. “So now I have to think of a wonderful thought?” I asked, smiling. She laughed, and when she laughed my heart became lighter and merrier than it had ever been. Her laugh was like a sweet twinkle, a pearl drop, merry as sunshine.

I haven’t yet described what she was wearing. It was a baby pink dress, made of a very soft material. As she pulled me up and I floated beside her, I asked, “So, you like pink?” “Well, yes, but that’s not the only reason I’m wearing a pink dress. When the fairy left us in Never Land, she said, ‘You two are like flower and leaf. Never leaving each other and never complete without each other.’ Peter’s clothes are made from green leaves, and mine of rose petals. Touch it, you’ll see that it’s as smooth as petal.” I did and sure enough, the dress was so velvety that I quickly took back my hand, lest it should tear.

So laughing and talking together, we flew around that star, Fairy Land. I met fairies, who laughed at me shyly, when they saw the twinkle in my eye. I met mermaids, too who were prettier and less rude than those of Never Land. There were no Indians here, nor any crazy blood-thirsty pirates, and Janet told me that that was the reason it was more peaceful and- J - less fun than Never Land. However, there were a lot of birds there who were chattering and twittering away cheerfully, unaware of our presence. Their colours were what attracted me most. They were those colours that are rarely seen in birds on Earth. Absolutely the most exquisite hues of purple, blue, orange, indigo, and- of all the colours I could have expected in a bird- golden and silver! Even parrots with all rainbow colours were there. I was delighted.

Instead of fruits on trees, there were chocolates and sweets. “How do you eat this everyday? Doesn’t it damage teeth?” I asked my partner. “They are special. They are undamaging to teeth, and they have more calcium in them than sugar, so that your teeth and bones would benefit from them than be damaged.” She replied. So I munched on a few Mars and Dairy Milks, and filled my pockets with some as well. We continued on our journey.

In a place I saw more lakes of chocolates and I saw in them were fish made of milk and chocolate chips. There were no frogs and no insects. The grass was mostly of red colour, and when Janet asked me to taste it, I found it was jelly! Not only that, at one place it was orange and yellow at another. Green was there too, but it passed under my observation only once. Janet laughed at my surprise and we cruised along happily.

Suddenly there was a sound of cock’s crow. “Peter!” Janet and I exclaimed, I in recognition and she in excitement. Janet produced the same sound in reply and we started back to the place we had come from. There, drinking chocolate milk from the lake was, believe it or not, Peter Pan himself. I had loved his movies and stories since childhood and was as excited to see him.

However, knowing I was a guest, I lagged behind so that the brother and sister could openly meet each other. I was not surprised to see them hugging and crying. I stopped behind a tree to give them time. I started to miss my own brother. Then I looked up at the sky and was shocked to find dark clouds gathering, along with a bit of thunder. Dropping my resolve, and reserve, and not thinking twice, I cried, “Janet!” and flew over to her. The act was quite foolish and childish, but being on an unknown land, however beautiful it may be, it’s scary to see something out of the ordinary. The pair was surprise, not as much to see me as to see my fear. Janet was much better in reading minds than Peter however, and she looked up. Understanding at once, she said soothingly, “Don’t worry, Jane, it’s only gloom. When Peter and I cry together, the sky starts crying, too, and in anger  for that! It seems to follow us wherever we go.” I relaxed, but not entirely. Janet introduced Peter and me. “Pete, this is Jane. I brought her here to help her write my story. Don’t worry, you’ll be in it all along!” She said to Peter. “You write?” He asked me. I nodded. “Why don’t you come back with us to Never Land? You’ll have loads of stories to write there. Especially since I’ve been fighting with Captain Hook too much lately.” “Oh, Peter, you haven’t!” Janet exclaimed in dismay. She obviously did not like the idea of her brother getting hurt. I smiled, and missed my brother again. I was about to say something, when Peter said, “Well, I couldn’t let the man plan the kidnap of my own dear sister could I? They were planning to take Tink and use her pixie dust to fly and come here and plant a bomb in your tree house. I couldn’t possibly sit and just let them do that to my only sister. Even though I know you’re quite capable of taking care of yourself.” He said, proudly first, then sadly. The clouds, which I had been happy to see leaving, returned, as Janet shed a few tears as well. I took my refuge behind Janet again.

“Oh, Peter!” Janet exclaimed, “You do love me!” “I wouldn’t be a man to not love my own sister.” They laughed and hugged each other again. The clouds disappeared at once. We went over the star again, showing Peter the same magnificent things I had seen. He, too was surprised at finding no frogs in the lake and fish made of milk, which he hated, I gathered from the face he made, when Janet offered him one. Evening came, and I started to get worried about home. My parents, as I mentioned, were out, I knew Peter must be very worried about me. He may have gone to the police, I thought. I was about to suggest the two to get me home, when Peter said to Janet, “Come back to Never Land for good, Janet. Please come back. It’s so quiet without you. And we really are incomplete without each other, as the fairy godmother told us. I really feel your absence. I promise I’ll be good to you. I’ll clean my own room, make my bed. I’ll do whatever you tell me. Just come back.” Janet just hugged him tight and said, “That’s what I wanted to hear from you Peter. I’m coming with you my sweet brother! Happy Birthday!” I realised suddenly that the date was my and my brother’s birthday as well, since we had started one day before and I had stayed there overnight. I didn’t want to interrupt, but I knew I had to. “Janet, Peter, I think it’s time for me to go home now.” “But you just got here! You have to spend time with us.” Janet protested. “And what about Never Land? You can't write about it unless you see it!” Peter added. “Besides, it’s our birthday, won't you stay to join the celebrations?” “I’d love to, but…” “Come on, please.” Janet said. I shook my head. “Okay. We’ll leave you at your home.” Peter said, crossly. “Please don’t be cross Peter. It’s just that… well, it’s my birthday today as well, and so is my brother’s and we’ve never celebrated it alone.” “You have a twin too?” Peter asked, brightening. “No he’s four years older than me. But I was born on his birth date.” Peter was quizzed. “I can't explain now. I don’t have time. I need to get home. Please.” I pleaded. Janet nodded. “I guess we can give that to you as a birthday present.” I sighed with relief. “One last thing. Is there some kind of a shopping mall here?” “Shopping Mall?” They asked simultaneously. “Well actually I don’t have a gift for Peter, and I can't possibly go home without a present for him.” I said. “Well, thank you, but you don’t have to, really.” Peter said, thinking I was talking about him. I laughed, “Oh, I wasn’t talking about you Peter, I was talking about my brother. His name’s Peter too.” “What a coincidence.” Janet said. “You’d better leave me at the Mall then.” I said. “I have a better idea, Jane.” Peter said. He took out a locket from his pocket. It was black half of Tai-Chi – the Chinese symbol of unity. “Oh!” Janet exclaimed, taking out the white half from her pocket. “Oh yeah! Jane, this is going to be the best present your brother could have!” “The Tai Chi!” I exclaimed, handling the white one, that Janet gave me, with care. “But I couldn’t possibly take them!” “Oh, we’re not giving you ours, we’re offering to make another pair for you.” “How?” I looked at it carefully. It was beautifully carved, looked professional. “These are made of seashells. Pete and I carved them for each other for our ninth birthday 2 years ago.” Janet explained. “You carved them?” I asked, with new respect for the kids. “Yes. And we can carve them for you, if you like, but…” She started. “But what Janet?” “But for that you’ll have to come to Never Land with us. Because the seashell that we made these from is only found on the seashore of Never Land.” I sighed in frustration. “Alright!” I said finally. “I’ll come to Never Land with you. How much time will it take to get to Never Land, to carve these lockets and then get to Earth?” I asked. “Around four hours.” Peter replied, looking at his watch. “I’ll get there by eight! Good! Let’s go!” I stood up. The final ceremony was left however. Peter and Janet exchanged their lockets then put them around each other’s necks. Then they apologised to each other and hugged. They had not forgotten me, however, as they took less than a minute for this. Then Peter offered his hand to Janet who held out her hand for me. “Ready?” They asked me. “You bet!” I replied. I thought this time I would be able to enjoy the flying journey, but I don’t know what came over me.

When I came to, I was in my room, sleeping at my window. I immediately thought I had been dreaming. I stood up, my pen and notebook fell, and a doubt entered my mind. Then something else fell: The Chinese lockets. So I hadn’t been dreaming. I looked at the clock: Quarter to eight. The date had changed as well. I worriedly ran out of the room and down the stairs. I was surprised to find Peter –my  Peter- talking to a police officer. “Please find her Inspector. She was my only sister, and I can't survive without her.” He said. My eyes watered, and I quickened my steps. The Inspector looked at me, pointed, and said, “That wouldn’t be your sister, would it sonny?” Peter turned around just as I reached the last step. “Jane!” He exclaimed, astonished, it seemed, to see me coming from upstairs, but glad to see I was okay. We greeted each other with a tight and huge, long embrace. “Where have you been? Do you realise how worried I was?” He asked me, as we pulled away. We won't need you now, Inspector. We’re sorry to have taken up your precious time. And as far as our parents are concerned,” I looked at Peter, “this never happened. Good evening!” He gave me a grin and went away.

I hugged my brother again. “Happy Birthday, Pety!” I said, using his nickname. Normally he would have made a face at my calling him that, this time he looked at me and shook his head. Before he could say something, I gave him the black half of the Tai Chi. “The Chinese symbol of unity! It’s beautiful!” He said softly. “I have a gift for you too. Come with me.” He took my hand and led me to the dining room. It was decorated as if for a celebration, balloons, ribbons and other stuff. I gave him a sweet smile. He went to the fridge and took out a big chocolate cake with frosting and chocolate chips. I looked at it with relish. “I knew you’d like it.” He said with a smile when he saw my face. “I had called all our friends here at noon you know, but you weren’t here. Where were you? I was so worried.” I sighed. I knew very well I had to tell him, but I had a doubt he’d believe me.

My doubts were cleared as soon as he asked, “Is that where you got this from?” pointing to the necklaces. I nodded. “Jane, I may never have said this to you before, but you were the best gift I’ve ever had in my life. The first time when I was told I had had a sister, I was confused. But when I went to the hospital with dad, and mom put you in my arms with a birthday greeting, believe me, at that moment I was in seventh heaven. You’re the best birthday gift anyone can ever get, and the best sister a guy can ask for. Happy Birthday!” He said to me, and gave me another bear hug. “Thank you brother, I feel the same about you.”

That night as I sat at the window, thinking how blessed I was to have a brother who was nineteen and didn’t laugh at me on believing in fairies, when something flying in the night sky, dazzled my eyes. It was a glowing silver bird, and it had a note in its beak.

“Dear Jane,
We had a wonderful time with you. We are sending you a Never Land bird as a gift. It needs milk and milk only. Don’t put it in a cage, it would not survive. You shall be able to communicate with us through it. It’ll come to you and coo when it needs milk, otherwise it will take care of itself. It would also protect you and your brother.

You wouldn’t believe what happened when we got to Never Land. You had fainted because of the speed, so we quickly arranged to get you home. Peter and I carved out lockets like ours for you and your brother, and Peter dropped you off in his boat. When he came back, the Lost Boys were wishing me a Happy Birthday, and he took me to our tree house with a secret smile. I was amazed to find the place spotless! And what’s more, it was decorated beautifully too. All by Peter! When I looked at Peter, he said it was my birthday gift! I’m finally getting through to my brother! We had loads of fun partying and missed you a lot.

You take care and do keep in touch. Thanks for the nice time!

Peter and Janet Pan!”



I showed the letter and bird to Peter, and he nodded.

Next year, I got some of my adventures published, and kept a copy each for the twins at the window, sending a not through Silver, my bird, to come and get their birthday presents. When I woke up in the morning, one copy was gone, and one still there. When I opened the book, the first page said, “To our friends Jane and Peter,
         With Love
         Peter and Janet
                             PAN”


And that was the story of how I helped Peter Pan and Janet Jay be united, and realise each other’s importance; while at the same time realising my brother’s and making him realise mine.