It is most unfair that this celebrated author finds a place so late in my blog. Her stories have played a role of elephantine proportions in my childhood and I want to make my tribute to this fascinating lady truly special. But then again, a million articles on her would fall short of the appraisal she so rightly deserves.Enid Blyton. A storyteller par excellence.
Should I talk about the enchanted winter nights, when her bedtime stories were my sole companion? Or the sweltering, summer mornings, when her cool-as-a-cucumber magicfolk brought me divine comfort? I am slightly lost, not to mention overwhelmed with anxiety that what I say will not do her any justice at all.
I believe it is one thing to write for wise, mature and at times rather skeptical readers. But to conjure stories for curious, tender, young hearts comes with a far greater responsibility, which Blyton so cleverly distinguished. Her books NEVER convey the impression of an adult addressing a child—a striking feature that sets her apart from the rest.
She brightened the face of every awestruck child. She gave wings to their imagination. She packed off little kids to the most amazing places, atop fairy trees, on enchanted carpets, in wishing chairs, through goblin mirrors, and everything else that triggered squeals of glee from her little readers. She willed brave Peter to flee from the clutches of the Green-Eyed Witch; she took birthday girl Bessie to the marvelous Land of Birthdays, she urged little Bets to solve a mystery all on her own and gave good ol’ Darrell the time of her life at “the best school ever!”, delighting the many Peters, Bessies, Sallies and Yashodharas who relived many an adventure through the characters she mould.
Her stories never failed to amuse, astonish and intrigue even the dullest of minds:
Know why you shouldn’t scribble on garden fences?
Or how to spell a spelling-spell?
And what to do when “Mamzelle” walks into class with twelve pins on her bun?
NO? Shame on you!!
Her childlike fascination for all things magical and adventurous, teamed with a mint-fresh approach to storytelling makes her a writer far beyond every possible comparison. It is therefore of little surprise that her stories are read and re-read even today, every narrative bringing to life the mystifying world of mystery-solvers, obnoxious policemen, elves, fairies, pixies, gnomes, goblins, witches and warlocks that had emerged from Enid Blyton’s pen decades ago.
Wonder what she would say about Harry Potter, though.
