Light-hearted And Solemn

Elves. They have often been a puzzle to me, for even when reading tales by the same author, there seem to be inconsistencies in their nature. Some stories depict them as quite light-hearted and cheery, who even make up the silliest songs and make jest of those who are more serious. Yet others show them as being quite grave and somber, though wise. I have wrestled with these accounts (some even in different parts of the same story), but at last I think I have discovered their secret, and if you will humor my trail into fantasy I will even draw some spiritual insights from the study.