A young man named Denis Duchesne discovers a plain box in a shop, which he purchases to store fiddle strings. Upon opening it, he is surprised by a green light and a leprechaun emerges, marking the last of its kind to leave Ireland. Denis, a music and dance teacher, is unaware of the leprechaun's presence as he dreams of a girl named Dorothy Macmurchison, who lives in the same building. The leprechaun, curious and friendly, visits an old man named Berry, who struggles to finish a song about tears and dew. The leprechaun promises to help Berry complete his song before departing. The next morning, Denis finds his fiddle strings broken and replaces them with those from the box. When his students arrive for dance lessons, he plays a tune that captivates everyone, including Dorothy. The music evokes memories of youth and joy, transforming the atmosphere as the students dance with abandon. Denis and Dorothy share a special moment, dancing together and experiencing a deeper connection. Meanwhile, the leprechaun returns to Berry, bringing the final word to complete his song: "love." Berry appreciates the gesture, and the leprechaun departs, leaving behind a sense of magic. The story concludes with the joyous dancing continuing in Denis's room, symbolizing the enduring spirit of youth and love.
By Marjorie Pickthall · First published 1906 · Genre: Fantasy, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism