Rewards and Fairies

Rewards and Fairies is a historical fantasy book by Rudyard Kipling published in 1910. The title comes from the poem "Farewell, Rewards and Fairies" by Richard Corbet. The poem is referred to by the children in the first story of the preceding book Puck of Pook's Hill. Rewards and Fairies is set one year later chronologically although published four years afterwards.

The book consists of a series of short stories set in historical times with a linking contemporary narrative. Dan and Una are two children, living in the Weald of Sussex in the area of Kipling's own home Bateman's. They have encountered Puck and he magically conjures up real and fictional individuals from Sussex's past to tell the children some aspect of its history and prehistory, though the episodes are not always historically accurate. Another recurring character is Old Hobden who represents the continuity of the inhabitants of the land. His ancestors sometimes appear in the stories and seem very much like him.

Some stories contain elements of the supernatural as well as history. Each story is preceded and followed by a poem, including If—, often described as Britain's favourite poem. Other well known poems included in the book are Cold Iron and The Way through the Woods.

A poem which gives a charm to see the treasures of familiar places.

A brief summary of Puck of Pook's Hill and the main characters.

There is a brief episode in which the children Dan and Una encounter Puck again a year after their previous experience. Then Puck tells the story of a young mortal taken by Fairies whose fate will be determined by the first piece of iron that he encounters.

A poem which compares how various metals affect human life but states in a recurring line that 'Iron—Cold Iron—is master of men all!' , ending with a reference to the iron nails used to crucify Jesus Christ at Calvary.

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