A knitted baby bootie holding a small glowing spark with delicate translucent wings on a lavender pillow.

Original artwork, not a still

Peter & Wendy • 1911

J.M. Barrie

When a new baby laughs for the first time a new fairy is born, and as there are always new babies there are always new fairies.

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

This is a charming origin story for fairies: each time a baby laughs for the first time, a fairy comes into being. Since babies keep arriving, so do fairies. It links the joy of a first laugh with a steady supply of small magic.

Context reviewed

Share this quote