The End of Elfintown

In the enchanted realm of the Elfin folk, King Oberon becomes enchanted by visions of a grand city and commands his subjects to build one in its image. What follows is a tale of joy sacrificed to obligation, as the carefree elves are forced into relentless labor constructing Elfintown. Their discontent grows until a council of elders discovers the terrible truth: Oberon's ambition stems not from his own heart but from a spell cast by the malevolent Bad Brown Witch. Only the Good Gray Witch can break the enchantment, and young Elfmel must undertake a perilous quest to find her. Through lyrical verse, Jane Barlow crafts a poignant meditation on the price of progress, the nature of true happiness, and the innocence that must sometimes be destroyed to restore what matters most.