Composed in 1957, this composition was premièred in Halifax by Thomas Mayer on February 8, 1957. In April of the same year, Walter Susskind performed this work with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and on August 7th, he opened his concert at the Stratford Music Festival with this composition. During the next 20 years this work, with nearly 90 performances, became one of the most frequently performed Canadian compositions. In Morawetz' native Czechoslovakia it was heard the first time in 1963 under the baton of Sir Charles Mackerras, in Brno, the capital of Moravia.

The title does not apply to any particular Fairy Tale, but has all the characteristics of one.

During the exposition, elfin themes in the flute are accompanied by impressionistic colours in the strings. These are followed by a number of contrasting ideas, some expressive or mysterious, followed by gay and dance-like motives. These ideas are then all developed in such a manner as to be always changing their characteristics with new orchestral colours, with different rhythmic combinations, and especially by being combined with each other. At the dynamic climax of this section, the music becomes most menacing. The "evil forces" gradually disappear into a short, quiet section. Like all fairy tales, this composition also has a happy ending at the start of a very fast coda in 2/4 meter contrasting strongly with the preceding 3/4 meter. A steadily-growing crescendo concludes the composition in an exuberantly joyful mood.