By Richard Stubbs | September 17, 2026
A story of fairy-hunting, moonlight, and the one thing no one can ever truly control — a cat.
A Question Across the World
Seven-year-old Tyler sat on the patio at 7 Stitchwort Lane in Ashford, peering closely at a tablet. On the screen was his Granddad Richard, calling in from his office at Waterfall Kennels and Cattery in Fourways, South Africa.
"Granddad, how do you see a fairy?" Tyler asked.
Granddad's Secret Recipe
🤜 A Handful of Courage
Puff out your chest and be brave enough to venture into the dark garden.
🤫 A Mouthful of Silence
Keep perfectly, completely, absolutely quiet — not a single sound.
🌕 A Capful of Moonshine
Catch the moon's reflection in a very still cup with a lot of patience.
Granddad stroked his chin and laughed: "But remember — keeping the cats quiet might be the hardest part!"
The Uninvited Companions
That evening, as a big silvery moon rose over Ashford, Tyler and his nine-year-old sister Jordyn tiptoed into the back garden on their fairy-hunting mission.
Trailing right at their heels were Jack, the ginger tabby, and Joey, the black-and-white cat — who thought this sneaking around was a wonderful new game.
The Hunt Begins
Tyler held a small teacup — his "cap" — carefully catching the reflection of the moon in a few drops of water at the bottom. He clamped his mouth shut for his mouthful of silence and puffed out his chest for a handful of courage.
Jordyn crept behind him, holding her breath. They reached the bottom of the garden. They waited. The garden was perfectly still.
Jack Strikes!
Suddenly, a fat moth fluttered past. Jack's hunter instincts took over. With a mighty leap, the ginger cat launched himself into the air, letting out a loud "Mreow!"
Startled, Tyler dropped his mouthful of silence and spun around — knocking the teacup against Joey, who had been quietly preparing his own pounce.
The Moonshine Spills
In one chaotic moment, the courage held, the silence shattered, and the moonshine was lost to the grass forever.
"Did you catch a fairy?" Dad called out from the patio.
Tyler's Verdict
Tyler sighed, but couldn't help smiling as Jack proudly chased the moth in circles around the garden.
"No, Dad. Jack let go of the silence, and Joey spilled the moonshine!"
Jordyn's Conclusion
Jordyn laughed, scooping up Joey in her arms and delivering the evening's final wisdom:
"Granddad was right. You can't keep a cat quiet!"
Mum and Dad Join the Fun
Mum Michaela and Dad Warren stepped out onto the patio, laughing at the commotion below. The fairy-hunting expedition had ended in chaos — but the garden rang with laughter, and Jack was still triumphantly chasing his moth in circles.
Some evenings don't go to plan. Those are often the best ones.
What We Learned About Fairy-Hunting
Courage is easy
Even a seven-year-old can puff out his chest and march into a dark garden.
Silence is hard
A startled child and a leaping cat will always break the spell at the worst moment.
Cats are impossible
As Granddad warned — and as Jordyn confirmed — you simply cannot keep a cat quiet.
A Capful of Moonshine