Title: Flower Fables
Author: Alcott, Louisa May
Language: English
As this book started as an ASCII text book there are no pictures available.


*** Start of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "Flower Fables" ***

[Illustration]



Flower Fables

by Louisa May Alcott


Contents

  FLOWER FABLES
 The Frost King: or, The Power of Love
 Eva’s Visit to Fairy-Land
 The Flower’s Lesson
 Lily-Bell and Thistledown
 Little Bud
 Clover-Blossom
 Little Annie’s Dream: or, The Fairy Flower
 Ripple, the Water-Spirit
 Fairy Song



“Pondering shadows, colors, clouds
Grass-buds, and caterpillar shrouds
Boughs on which the wild bees settle,
Tints that spot the violet’s petal.”
EMERSON’S WOOD-NOTES.



TO
ELLEN EMERSON,
FOR WHOM THEY WERE FANCIED,
THESE FLOWER FABLES
ARE INSCRIBED,
BY HER FRIEND,

THE AUTHOR.

Boston, Dec. 9, 1854.



FLOWER FABLES.


The summer moon shone brightly down upon the sleeping earth, while far
away from mortal eyes danced the Fairy folk. Fire-flies hung in bright
clusters on the dewy leaves, that waved in the cool night-wind; and the
flowers stood gazing, in very wonder, at the little Elves, who lay
among the fern-leaves, swung in the vine-boughs, sailed on the lake in
lily cups, or danced on the mossy ground, to the music of the
hare-bells, who rung out their merriest peal in honor of the night.

Under the shade of a wild rose sat the Queen and her little Maids of
Honor, beside the silvery mushroom where the feast was spread.

“Now, my friends,” said she, “to while away the time till the bright
moon goes down, let us each tell a tale, or relate what we have done or
learned this day. I will begin with you, Sunny Lock,” added she,
turning to a lovely little Elf, who lay among the fragrant leaves of a
primrose.

With a gay smile, “Sunny Lock” began her story.

“As I was painting the bright petals of a blue bell, it told me this
tale.”



THE FROST-KING:
OR,
THE POWER OF LOVE.


Three little Fairies sat in the fields eating their breakfast; each
among the leaves of her favorite flower, Daisy, Primrose, and Violet,
were happy as Elves need be.

The morning wind gently rocked them to and fro, and the sun shone
warmly down upon the dewy grass, where butterflies spread their gay
wings, and bees with their deep voices sung among the flowers; while
the little birds hopped merrily about to peep at them.

On a silvery mushroom was spread the breakfast; little cakes of
flower-dust lay on a broad green leaf, beside a crimson strawberry,
which, with sugar from the violet, and cream from the yellow milkweed,
made a fairy meal, and their drink was the dew from the flowers’ bright
leaves.

“Ah me,” sighed Primrose, throwing herself languidly back, “how warm
the sun grows! give me another piece of strawberry, and then I must
hasten away to the shadow of the ferns. But while I eat, tell me, dear
Violet, why are you all so sad? I have scarce seen a happy face since
my return from Rose Land; dear friend, what means it?”

“I will tell you,” replied little Violet, the tears gathering in her
soft eyes. “Our good Queen is ever striving to keep the dear flowers
from the power of the cruel Frost-King; many ways she tried, but all
have failed. She has sent messengers to his court with costly gifts;
but all have returned sick for want of sunlight, weary and sad; we have
watched over them, heedless of sun or shower, but still his dark
spirits do their work, and we are left to weep over our blighted
blossoms. Thus have we striven, and in vain; and this night our Queen
holds council for the last time. Therefore are we sad, dear Primrose,
for she has toiled and cared for us, and we can do nothing to help or
advise her now.”

“It is indeed a cruel thing,” replied her friend; “but as we cannot
help it, we must suffer patiently, and not let the sorrows of others
disturb our happiness. But, dear sisters, see you not how high the sun
is getting? I have my locks to curl, and my robe to prepare for the
evening; therefore I must be gone, or I shall be brown as a withered
leaf in this warm light.” So, gathering a tiny mushroom for a parasol,
she flew away; Daisy soon followed, and Violet was left alone.

Then she spread the table afresh, and to it came fearlessly the busy
ant and bee, gay butterfly and bird; even the poor blind mole and
humble worm were not forgotten; and with gentle words she gave to all,
while each learned something of their kind little teacher; and the love
that made her own heart bright shone alike on all.

The ant and bee learned generosity, the butterfly and bird contentment,
the mole and worm confidence in the love of others; and each went to
their home better for the little time they had been with Violet.

Evening came, and with it troops of Elves to counsel their good Queen,
who, seated on her mossy throne, looked anxiously upon the throng
below, whose glittering wings and rustling robes gleamed like
many-colored flowers.

At length she rose, and amid the deep silence spoke thus:—

“Dear children, let us not tire of a good work, hard though it be and
wearisome; think of the many little hearts that in their sorrow look to
us for help. What would the green earth be without its lovely flowers,
and what a lonely home for us! Their beauty fills our hearts with
brightness, and their love with tender thoughts. Ought we then to leave
them to die uncared for and alone? They give to us their all; ought we
not to toil unceasingly, that they may bloom in peace within their
quiet homes? We have tried to gain the love of the stern Frost-King,
but in vain; his heart is hard as his own icy land; no love can melt,
no kindness bring it back to sunlight and to joy. How then may we keep
our frail blossoms from his cruel spirits? Who will give us counsel?
Who will be our messenger for the last time? Speak, my subjects.”

Then a great murmuring arose, and many spoke, some for costlier gifts,
some for war; and the fearful counselled patience and submission.

Long and eagerly they spoke, and their soft voices rose high.

Then sweet music sounded on the air, and the loud tones were hushed, as
in wondering silence the Fairies waited what should come.

Through the crowd there came a little form, a wreath of pure white
violets lay among the bright locks that fell so softly round the gentle
face, where a deep blush glowed, as, kneeling at the throne, little
Violet said:—

“Dear Queen, we have bent to the Frost-King’s power, we have borne
gifts unto his pride, but have we gone trustingly to him and spoken
fearlessly of his evil deeds? Have we shed the soft light of unwearied
love around his cold heart, and with patient tenderness shown him how
bright and beautiful love can make even the darkest lot?

“Our messengers have gone fearfully, and with cold looks and courtly
words offered him rich gifts, things he cared not for, and with equal
pride has he sent them back.

“Then let me, the weakest of your band, go to him, trusting in the love
I know lies hidden in the coldest heart.

“I will bear only a garland of our fairest flowers; these will I wind
about him, and their bright faces, looking lovingly in his, will bring
sweet thoughts to his dark mind, and their soft breath steal in like
gentle words. Then, when he sees them fading on his breast, will he not
sigh that there is no warmth there to keep them fresh and lovely? This
will I do, dear Queen, and never leave his dreary home, till the
sunlight falls on flowers fair as those that bloom in our own dear
land.”

Silently the Queen had listened, but now, rising and placing her hand
on little Violet’s head, she said, turning to the throng below:— “We in
our pride and power have erred, while this, the weakest and lowliest of
our subjects, has from the innocence of her own pure heart counselled
us more wisely than the noblest of our train. All who will aid our
brave little messenger, lift your wands, that we may know who will
place their trust in the Power of Love.”

Every fairy wand glistened in the air, as with silvery voices they
cried, “Love and little Violet.”

Then down from the throne, hand in hand, came the Queen and Violet, and
till the moon sank did the Fairies toil, to weave a wreath of the
fairest flowers. Tenderly they gathered them, with the night-dew fresh
upon their leaves, and as they wove chanted sweet spells, and whispered
fairy blessings on the bright messengers whom they sent forth to die in
a dreary land, that their gentle kindred might bloom unharmed.

At length it was done; and the fair flowers lay glowing in the soft
starlight, while beside them stood the Fairies, singing to the music of
the wind-harps:—


We are sending you, dear flowers,
Forth alone to die,
Where your gentle sisters may not weep
O’er the cold graves where you lie;
But you go to bring them fadeless life
In the bright homes where they dwell,
And you softly smile that ’t is so,
As we sadly sing farewell.


O plead with gentle words for us,
And whisper tenderly
Of generous love to that cold heart,
And it will answer ye;
And though you fade in a dreary home,
Yet loving hearts will tell
Of the joy and peace that you have given:
Flowers, dear flowers, farewell!”


The morning sun looked softly down upon the broad green earth, which
like a mighty altar was sending up clouds of perfume from its breast,
while flowers danced gayly in the summer wind, and birds sang their
morning hymn among the cool green leaves. Then high above, on shining
wings, soared a little form. The sunlight rested softly on the silken
hair, and the winds fanned lovingly the bright face, and brought the
sweetest odors to cheer her on.

Thus went Violet through the clear air, and the earth looked smiling up
to her, as, with the bright wreath folded in her arms, she flew among
the soft, white clouds.

On and on she went, over hill and valley, broad rivers and rustling
woods, till the warm sunlight passed away, the winds grew cold, and the
air thick with falling snow. Then far below she saw the Frost-King’s
home. Pillars of hard, gray ice supported the high, arched roof, hung
with crystal icicles. Dreary gardens lay around, filled with withered
flowers and bare, drooping trees; while heavy clouds hung low in the
dark sky, and a cold wind murmured sadly through the wintry air.

With a beating heart Violet folded her fading wreath more closely to
her breast, and with weary wings flew onward to the dreary palace.

Here, before the closed doors, stood many forms with dark faces and
harsh, discordant voices, who sternly asked the shivering little Fairy
why she came to them.

Gently she answered, telling them her errand, beseeching them to let
her pass ere the cold wind blighted her frail blossoms. Then they flung
wide the doors, and she passed in.

Walls of ice, carved with strange figures, were around her; glittering
icicles hung from the high roof, and soft, white snow covered the hard
floors. On a throne hung with clouds sat the Frost-King; a crown of
crystals bound his white locks, and a dark mantle wrought with delicate
frost-work was folded over his cold breast.

His stern face could not stay little Violet, and on through the long
hall she went, heedless of the snow that gathered on her feet, and the
bleak wind that blew around her; while the King with wondering eyes
looked on the golden light that played upon the dark walls as she
passed.

The flowers, as if they knew their part, unfolded their bright leaves,
and poured forth their sweetest perfume, as, kneeling at the throne,
the brave little Fairy said,—

“O King of blight and sorrow, send me not away till I have brought back
the light and joy that will make your dark home bright and beautiful
again. Let me call back to the desolate gardens the fair forms that are
gone, and their soft voices blessing you will bring to your breast a
never failing joy. Cast by your icy crown and sceptre, and let the
sunlight of love fall softly on your heart.

“Then will the earth bloom again in all its beauty, and your dim eyes
will rest only on fair forms, while music shall sound through these
dreary halls, and the love of grateful hearts be yours. Have pity on
the gentle flower-spirits, and do not doom them to an early death, when
they might bloom in fadeless beauty, making us wiser by their gentle
teachings, and the earth brighter by their lovely forms. These fair
flowers, with the prayers of all Fairy Land, I lay before you; O send
me not away till they are answered.”

And with tears falling thick and fast upon their tender leaves, Violet
laid the wreath at his feet, while the golden light grew ever brighter
as it fell upon the little form so humbly kneeling there.

The King’s stern face grew milder as he gazed on the gentle Fairy, and
the flowers seemed to look beseechingly upon him; while their fragrant
voices sounded softly in his ear, telling of their dying sisters, and
of the joy it gives to bring happiness to the weak and sorrowing. But
he drew the dark mantle closer over his breast and answered coldly,—

“I cannot grant your prayer, little Fairy; it is my will the flowers
should die. Go back to your Queen, and tell her that I cannot yield my
power to please these foolish flowers.”

Then Violet hung the wreath above the throne, and with weary foot went
forth again, out into the cold, dark gardens, and still the golden
shadows followed her, and wherever they fell, flowers bloomed and green
leaves rustled.

Then came the Frost-Spirits, and beneath their cold wings the flowers
died, while the Spirits bore Violet to a low, dark cell, saying as they
left her, that their King was angry that she had dared to stay when he
had bid her go.

So all alone she sat, and sad thoughts of her happy home came back to
her, and she wept bitterly. But soon came visions of the gentle flowers
dying in their forest homes, and their voices ringing in her ear,
imploring her to save them. Then she wept no longer, but patiently
awaited what might come.

Soon the golden light gleamed faintly through the cell, and she heard
little voices calling for help, and high up among the heavy cobwebs
hung poor little flies struggling to free themselves, while their cruel
enemies sat in their nets, watching their pain.

With her wand the Fairy broke the bands that held them, tenderly bound
up their broken wings, and healed their wounds; while they lay in the
warm light, and feebly hummed their thanks to their kind deliverer.

Then she went to the ugly brown spiders, and in gentle words told them,
how in Fairy Land their kindred spun all the elfin cloth, and in return
the Fairies gave them food, and then how happily they lived among the
green leaves, spinning garments for their neighbors. “And you too,”
said she, “shall spin for me, and I will give you better food than
helpless insects. You shall live in peace, and spin your delicate
threads into a mantle for the stern King; and I will weave golden
threads amid the gray, that when folded over his cold heart gentle
thoughts may enter in and make it their home.”

And while she gayly sung, the little weavers spun their silken threads,
the flies on glittering wings flew lovingly above her head, and over
all the golden light shone softly down.

When the Frost-Spirits told their King, he greatly wondered and often
stole to look at the sunny little room where friends and enemies worked
peacefully together. Still the light grew brighter, and floated out
into the cold air, where it hung like bright clouds above the dreary
gardens, whence all the Spirits’ power could not drive it; and green
leaves budded on the naked trees, and flowers bloomed; but the Spirits
heaped snow upon them, and they bowed their heads and died.

At length the mantle was finished, and amid the gray threads shone
golden ones, making it bright; and she sent it to the King, entreating
him to wear it, for it would bring peace and love to dwell within his
breast.

But he scornfully threw it aside, and bade his Spirits take her to a
colder cell, deep in the earth; and there with harsh words they left
her.

Still she sang gayly on, and the falling drops kept time so musically,
that the King in his cold ice-halls wondered at the low, sweet sounds
that came stealing up to him.

Thus Violet dwelt, and each day the golden light grew stronger; and
from among the crevices of the rocky walls came troops of little
velvet-coated moles, praying that they might listen to the sweet music,
and lie in the warm light.

“We lead,” said they, “a dreary life in the cold earth; the
flower-roots are dead, and no soft dews descend for us to drink, no
little seed or leaf can we find. Ah, good Fairy, let us be your
servants: give us but a few crumbs of your daily bread, and we will do
all in our power to serve you.”

And Violet said, Yes; so day after day they labored to make a pathway
through the frozen earth, that she might reach the roots of the
withered flowers; and soon, wherever through the dark galleries she
went, the soft light fell upon the roots of flowers, and they with new
life spread forth in the warm ground, and forced fresh sap to the
blossoms above. Brightly they bloomed and danced in the soft light, and
the Frost-Spirits tried in vain to harm them, for when they came
beneath the bright clouds their power to do evil left them.

From his dark castle the King looked out on the happy flowers, who
nodded gayly to him, and in sweet colors strove to tell him of the good
little Spirit, who toiled so faithfully below, that they might live.
And when he turned from the brightness without, to his stately palace,
it seemed so cold and dreary, that he folded Violet’s mantle round him,
and sat beneath the faded wreath upon his ice-carved throne, wondering
at the strange warmth that came from it; till at length he bade his
Spirits bring the little Fairy from her dismal prison.

Soon they came hastening back, and prayed him to come and see how
lovely the dark cell had grown. The rough floor was spread with deep
green moss, and over wall and roof grew flowery vines, filling the air
with their sweet breath; while above played the clear, soft light,
casting rosy shadows on the glittering drops that lay among the
fragrant leaves; and beneath the vines stood Violet, casting crumbs to
the downy little moles who ran fearlessly about and listened as she
sang to them.

When the old King saw how much fairer she had made the dreary cell than
his palace rooms, gentle thoughts within whispered him to grant her
prayer, and let the little Fairy go back to her friends and home; but
the Frost-Spirits breathed upon the flowers and bid him see how frail
they were, and useless to a King. Then the stern, cold thoughts came
back again, and he harshly bid her follow him.

With a sad farewell to her little friends she followed him, and before
the throne awaited his command. When the King saw how pale and sad the
gentle face had grown, how thin her robe, and weak her wings, and yet
how lovingly the golden shadows fell around her and brightened as they
lay upon the wand, which, guided by patient love, had made his once
desolate home so bright, he could not be cruel to the one who had done
so much for him, and in kindly tone he said,—

“Little Fairy, I offer you two things, and you may choose between them.
If I will vow never more to harm the flowers you may love, will you go
back to your own people and leave me and my Spirits to work our will on
all the other flowers that bloom? The earth is broad, and we can find
them in any land, then why should you care what happens to their
kindred if your own are safe? Will you do this?”

“Ah!” answered Violet sadly, “do you not know that beneath the flowers’
bright leaves there beats a little heart that loves and sorrows like
our own? And can I, heedless of their beauty, doom them to pain and
grief, that I might save my own dear blossoms from the cruel foes to
which I leave them? Ah no! sooner would I dwell for ever in your
darkest cell, than lose the love of those warm, trusting hearts.”

“Then listen,” said the King, “to the task I give you. You shall raise
up for me a palace fairer than this, and if you can work that miracle I
will grant your prayer or lose my kingly crown. And now go forth, and
begin your task; my Spirits shall not harm you, and I will wait till it
is done before I blight another flower.”

Then out into the gardens went Violet with a heavy heart; for she had
toiled so long, her strength was nearly gone. But the flowers whispered
their gratitude, and folded their leaves as if they blessed her; and
when she saw the garden filled with loving friends, who strove to cheer
and thank her for her care, courage and strength returned; and raising
up thick clouds of mist, that hid her from the wondering flowers, alone
and trustingly she began her work.

As time went by, the Frost-King feared the task had been too hard for
the Fairy; sounds were heard behind the walls of mist, bright shadows
seen to pass within, but the little voice was never heard. Meanwhile
the golden light had faded from the garden, the flowers bowed their
heads, and all was dark and cold as when the gentle Fairy came.

And to the stern King his home seemed more desolate and sad; for he
missed the warm light, the happy flowers, and, more than all, the gay
voice and bright face of little Violet. So he wandered through his
dreary palace, wondering how he had been content to live before without
sunlight and love.

And little Violet was mourned as dead in Fairy-Land, and many tears
were shed, for the gentle Fairy was beloved by all, from the Queen down
to the humblest flower. Sadly they watched over every bird and blossom
which she had loved, and strove to be like her in kindly words and
deeds. They wore cypress wreaths, and spoke of her as one whom they
should never see again.

Thus they dwelt in deepest sorrow, till one day there came to them an
unknown messenger, wrapped in a dark mantle, who looked with wondering
eyes on the bright palace, and flower-crowned elves, who kindly
welcomed him, and brought fresh dew and rosy fruit to refresh the weary
stranger. Then he told them that he came from the Frost-King, who
begged the Queen and all her subjects to come and see the palace little
Violet had built; for the veil of mist would soon be withdrawn, and as
she could not make a fairer home than the ice-castle, the King wished
her kindred near to comfort and to bear her home. And while the Elves
wept, he told them how patiently she had toiled, how her fadeless love
had made the dark cell bright and beautiful.

These and many other things he told them; for little Violet had won the
love of many of the Frost-Spirits, and even when they killed the
flowers she had toiled so hard to bring to life and beauty, she spoke
gentle words to them, and sought to teach them how beautiful is love.
Long stayed the messenger, and deeper grew his wonder that the Fairy
could have left so fair a home, to toil in the dreary palace of his
cruel master, and suffer cold and weariness, to give life and joy to
the weak and sorrowing. When the Elves had promised they would come, he
bade farewell to happy Fairy-Land, and flew sadly home.

At last the time arrived, and out in his barren garden, under a canopy
of dark clouds, sat the Frost-King before the misty wall, behind which
were heard low, sweet sounds, as of rustling trees and warbling birds.

Soon through the air came many-colored troops of Elves. First the
Queen, known by the silver lilies on her snowy robe and the bright
crown in her hair, beside whom flew a band of Elves in crimson and
gold, making sweet music on their flower-trumpets, while all around,
with smiling faces and bright eyes, fluttered her loving subjects.

On they came, like a flock of brilliant butterflies, their shining
wings and many-colored garments sparkling in the dim air; and soon the
leafless trees were gay with living flowers, and their sweet voices
filled the gardens with music. Like his subjects, the King looked on
the lovely Elves, and no longer wondered that little Violet wept and
longed for her home. Darker and more desolate seemed his stately home,
and when the Fairies asked for flowers, he felt ashamed that he had
none to give them.

At length a warm wind swept through the gardens, and the mist-clouds
passed away, while in silent wonder looked the Frost-King and the Elves
upon the scene before them.

Far as eye could reach were tall green trees whose drooping boughs made
graceful arches, through which the golden light shone softly, making
bright shadows on the deep green moss below, where the fairest flowers
waved in the cool wind, and sang, in their low, sweet voices, how
beautiful is Love.

Flowering vines folded their soft leaves around the trees, making green
pillars of their rough trunks. Fountains threw their bright waters to
the roof, and flocks of silver-winged birds flew singing among the
flowers, or brooded lovingly above their nests. Doves with gentle eyes
cooed among the green leaves, snow-white clouds floated in the sunny
sky, and the golden light, brighter than before, shone softly down.

Soon through the long aisles came Violet, flowers and green leaves
rustling as she passed. On she went to the Frost-King’s throne, bearing
two crowns, one of sparkling icicles, the other of pure white lilies,
and kneeling before him, said,—

“My task is done, and, thanks to the Spirits of earth and air, I have
made as fair a home as Elfin hands can form. You must now decide. Will
you be King of Flower-Land, and own my gentle kindred for your loving
friends? Will you possess unfading peace and joy, and the grateful love
of all the green earth’s fragrant children? Then take this crown of
flowers. But if you can find no pleasure here, go back to your own cold
home, and dwell in solitude and darkness, where no ray of sunlight or
of joy can enter.

“Send forth your Spirits to carry sorrow and desolation over the happy
earth, and win for yourself the fear and hatred of those who would so
gladly love and reverence you. Then take this glittering crown, hard
and cold as your own heart will be, if you will shut out all that is
bright and beautiful. Both are before you. Choose.”

The old King looked at the little Fairy, and saw how lovingly the
bright shadows gathered round her, as if to shield her from every harm;
the timid birds nestled in her bosom, and the flowers grew fairer as
she looked upon them; while her gentle friends, with tears in their
bright eyes, folded their hands beseechingly, and smiled on her.

Kind thought came thronging to his mind, and he turned to look at the
two palaces. Violet’s, so fair and beautiful, with its rustling trees,
calm, sunny skies, and happy birds and flowers, all created by her
patient love and care. His own, so cold and dark and dreary, his empty
gardens where no flowers could bloom, no green trees dwell, or gay
birds sing, all desolate and dim;—and while he gazed, his own Spirits,
casting off their dark mantles, knelt before him and besought him not
to send them forth to blight the things the gentle Fairies loved so
much. “We have served you long and faithfully,” said they, “give us now
our freedom, that we may learn to be beloved by the sweet flowers we
have harmed so long. Grant the little Fairy’s prayer; and let her go
back to her own dear home. She has taught us that Love is mightier than
Fear. Choose the Flower crown, and we will be the truest subjects you
have ever had.”

Then, amid a burst of wild, sweet music, the Frost-King placed the
Flower crown on his head, and knelt to little Violet; while far and
near, over the broad green earth, sounded the voices of flowers,
singing their thanks to the gentle Fairy, and the summer wind was laden
with perfumes, which they sent as tokens of their gratitude; and
wherever she went, old trees bent down to fold their slender branches
round her, flowers laid their soft faces against her own, and whispered
blessings; even the humble moss bent over the little feet, and kissed
them as they passed.

The old King, surrounded by the happy Fairies, sat in Violet’s lovely
home, and watched his icy castle melt away beneath the bright sunlight;
while his Spirits, cold and gloomy no longer, danced with the Elves,
and waited on their King with loving eagerness. Brighter grew the
golden light, gayer sang the birds, and the harmonious voices of
grateful flowers, sounding over the earth, carried new joy to all their
gentle kindred.


Brighter shone the golden shadows;
On the cool wind softly came
The low, sweet tones of happy flowers,
Singing little Violet’s name.
’Mong the green trees was it whispered,
And the bright waves bore it on
To the lonely forest flowers,
Where the glad news had not gone.


Thus the Frost-King lost his kingdom,
And his power to harm and blight.
Violet conquered, and his cold heart
Warmed with music, love, and light;
And his fair home, once so dreary,
Gay with lovely Elves and flowers,
Brought a joy that never faded
Through the long bright summer hours.


Thus, by Violet’s magic power,
All dark shadows passed away,
And o’er the home of happy flowers
The golden light for ever lay.
Thus the Fairy mission ended,
And all Flower-Land was taught
The “Power of Love,” by gentle deeds
That little Violet wrought.


As Sunny Lock ceased, another little Elf came forward; and this was the
tale “Silver Wing” told.



EVA’S VISIT TO FAIRY-LAND.


Down among the grass and fragrant clover lay little Eva by the
brook-side, watching the bright waves, as they went singing by under
the drooping flowers that grew on its banks. As she was wondering where
the waters went, she heard a faint, low sound, as of far-off music. She
thought it was the wind, but not a leaf was stirring, and soon through
the rippling water came a strange little boat.

It was a lily of the valley, whose tall stem formed the mast, while the
broad leaves that rose from the roots, and drooped again till they
reached the water, were filled with gay little Elves, who danced to the
music of the silver lily-bells above, that rang a merry peal, and
filled the air with their fragrant breath.

On came the fairy boat, till it reached a moss-grown rock; and here it
stopped, while the Fairies rested beneath the violet-leaves, and sang
with the dancing waves.

Eva looked with wonder on their gay faces and bright garments, and in
the joy of her heart sang too, and threw crimson fruit for the little
folks to feast upon.

They looked kindly on the child, and, after whispering long among
themselves, two little bright-eyed Elves flew over the shining water,
and, lighting on the clover-blossoms, said gently, “Little maiden, many
thanks for your kindness; and our Queen bids us ask if you will go with
us to Fairy-Land, and learn what we can teach you.”

“Gladly would I go with you, dear Fairies,” said Eva, “but I cannot
sail in your little boat. See! I can hold you in my hand, and could not
live among you without harming your tiny kingdom, I am so large.”

Then the Elves laughed gayly, as they folded their arms about her,
saying, “You are a good child, dear Eva, to fear doing harm to those
weaker than yourself. You cannot hurt us now. Look in the water and see
what we have done.”

Eva looked into the brook, and saw a tiny child standing between the
Elves. “Now I can go with you,” said she, “but see, I can no longer
step from the bank to yonder stone, for the brook seems now like a
great river, and you have not given me wings like yours.”

But the Fairies took each a hand, and flew lightly over the stream. The
Queen and her subjects came to meet her, and all seemed glad to say
some kindly word of welcome to the little stranger. They placed a
flower-crown upon her head, laid their soft faces against her own, and
soon it seemed as if the gentle Elves had always been her friends.

“Now must we go home,” said the Queen, “and you shall go with us,
little one.”

Then there was a great bustle, as they flew about on shining wings,
some laying cushions of violet leaves in the boat, others folding the
Queen’s veil and mantle more closely round her, lest the falling dews
should chill her.

The cool waves’ gentle plashing against the boat, and the sweet chime
of the lily-bells, lulled little Eva to sleep, and when she woke it was
in Fairy-Land. A faint, rosy light, as of the setting sun, shone on the
white pillars of the Queen’s palace as they passed in, and the sleeping
flowers leaned gracefully on their stems, dreaming beneath their soft
green curtains. All was cool and still, and the Elves glided silently
about, lest they should break their slumbers. They led Eva to a bed of
pure white leaves, above which drooped the fragrant petals of a crimson
rose.

“You can look at the bright colors till the light fades, and then the
rose will sing you to sleep,” said the Elves, as they folded the soft
leaves about her, gently kissed her, and stole away.

Long she lay watching the bright shadows, and listening to the song of
the rose, while through the long night dreams of lovely things floated
like bright clouds through her mind; while the rose bent lovingly above
her, and sang in the clear moonlight.

With the sun rose the Fairies, and, with Eva, hastened away to the
fountain, whose cool waters were soon filled with little forms, and the
air ringing with happy voices, as the Elves floated in the blue waves
among the fair white lilies, or sat on the green moss, smoothing their
bright locks, and wearing fresh garlands of dewy flowers. At length the
Queen came forth, and her subjects gathered round her, and while the
flowers bowed their heads, and the trees hushed their rustling, the
Fairies sang their morning hymn to the Father of birds and blossoms,
who had made the earth so fair a home for them.

Then they flew away to the gardens, and soon, high up among the
tree-tops, or under the broad leaves, sat the Elves in little groups,
taking their breakfast of fruit and pure fresh dew; while the
bright-winged birds came fearlessly among them, pecking the same ripe
berries, and dipping their little beaks in the same flower-cups, and
the Fairies folded their arms lovingly about them, smoothed their soft
bosoms, and gayly sang to them.

“Now, little Eva,” said they, “you will see that Fairies are not idle,
wilful Spirits, as mortals believe. Come, we will show you what we do.”

They led her to a lovely room, through whose walls of deep green leaves
the light stole softly in. Here lay many wounded insects, and harmless
little creatures, whom cruel hands had hurt; and pale, drooping flowers
grew beside urns of healing herbs, from whose fresh leaves came a
faint, sweet perfume.

Eva wondered, but silently followed her guide, little Rose-Leaf, who
with tender words passed among the delicate blossoms, pouring dew on
their feeble roots, cheering them with her loving words and happy
smile.

Then she went to the insects; first to a little fly who lay in a
flower-leaf cradle.

“Do you suffer much, dear Gauzy-Wing?” asked the Fairy. “I will bind up
your poor little leg, and Zephyr shall rock you to sleep.” So she
folded the cool leaves tenderly about the poor fly, bathed his wings,
and brought him refreshing drink, while he hummed his thanks, and
forgot his pain, as Zephyr softly sung and fanned him with her waving
wings.

They passed on, and Eva saw beside each bed a Fairy, who with gentle
hands and loving words soothed the suffering insects. At length they
stopped beside a bee, who lay among sweet honeysuckle flowers, in a
cool, still place, where the summer wind blew in, and the green leaves
rustled pleasantly. Yet he seemed to find no rest, and murmured of the
pain he was doomed to bear. “Why must I lie here, while my kindred are
out in the pleasant fields, enjoying the sunlight and the fresh air,
and cruel hands have doomed me to this dark place and bitter pain when
I have done no wrong? Uncared for and forgotten, I must stay here among
these poor things who think only of themselves. Come here, Rose-Leaf,
and bind up my wounds, for I am far more useful than idle bird or fly.”

Then said the Fairy, while she bathed the broken wing,—

“Love-Blossom, you should not murmur. We may find happiness in seeking
to be patient even while we suffer. You are not forgotten or uncared
for, but others need our care more than you, and to those who take
cheerfully the pain and sorrow sent, do we most gladly give our help.
You need not be idle, even though lying here in darkness and sorrow;
you can be taking from your heart all sad and discontented feelings,
and if love and patience blossom there, you will be better for the
lonely hours spent here. Look on the bed beside you; this little dove
has suffered far greater pain than you, and all our care can never ease
it; yet through the long days he hath lain here, not an unkind word or
a repining sigh hath he uttered. Ah, Love-Blossom, the gentle bird can
teach a lesson you will be wiser and better for.”

Then a faint voice whispered, “Little Rose-Leaf, come quickly, or I
cannot thank you as I ought for all your loving care of me.”

So they passed to the bed beside the discontented bee, and here upon
the softest down lay the dove, whose gentle eyes looked gratefully upon
the Fairy, as she knelt beside the little couch, smoothed the soft
white bosom, folded her arms about it and wept sorrowing tears, while
the bird still whispered its gratitude and love.

“Dear Fairy, the fairest flowers have cheered me with their sweet
breath, fresh dew and fragrant leaves have been ever ready for me,
gentle hands to tend, kindly hearts to love; and for this I can only
thank you and say farewell.”

Then the quivering wings were still, and the patient little dove was
dead; but the bee murmured no longer, and the dew from the flowers fell
like tears around the quiet bed.

Sadly Rose-Leaf led Eva away, saying, “Lily-Bosom shall have a grave
tonight beneath our fairest blossoms, and you shall see that gentleness
and love are prized far above gold or beauty, here in Fairy-Land. Come
now to the Flower Palace, and see the Fairy Court.”

Beneath green arches, bright with birds and flowers, beside singing
waves, went Eva into a lofty hall. The roof of pure white lilies rested
on pillars of green clustering vines, while many-colored blossoms threw
their bright shadows on the walls, as they danced below in the deep
green moss, and their low, sweet voices sounded softly through the
sunlit palace, while the rustling leaves kept time.

Beside the throne stood Eva, and watched the lovely forms around her,
as they stood, each little band in its own color, with glistening
wings, and flower wands.

Suddenly the music grew louder and sweeter, and the Fairies knelt, and
bowed their heads, as on through the crowd of loving subjects came the
Queen, while the air was filled with gay voices singing to welcome her.

She placed the child beside her, saying, “Little Eva, you shall see now
how the flowers on your great earth bloom so brightly. A band of loving
little gardeners go daily forth from Fairy-Land, to tend and watch
them, that no harm may befall the gentle spirits that dwell beneath
their leaves. This is never known, for like all good it is unseen by
mortal eyes, and unto only pure hearts like yours do we make known our
secret. The humblest flower that grows is visited by our messengers,
and often blooms in fragrant beauty unknown, unloved by all save Fairy
friends, who seek to fill the spirits with all sweet and gentle
virtues, that they may not be useless on the earth; for the noblest
mortals stoop to learn of flowers. Now, Eglantine, what have you to
tell us of your rosy namesakes on the earth?”

From a group of Elves, whose rose-wreathed wands showed the flower they
loved, came one bearing a tiny urn, and, answering the Queen, she
said,—

“Over hill and valley they are blooming fresh and fair as summer sun
and dew can make them. No drooping stem or withered leaf tells of any
evil thought within their fragrant bosoms, and thus from the fairest of
their race have they gathered this sweet dew, as a token of their
gratitude to one whose tenderness and care have kept them pure and
happy; and this, the loveliest of their sisters, have I brought to
place among the Fairy flowers that never pass away.”

Eglantine laid the urn before the Queen, and placed the fragrant rose
on the dewy moss beside the throne, while a murmur of approval went
through the hall, as each elfin wand waved to the little Fairy who had
toiled so well and faithfully, and could bring so fair a gift to their
good Queen.

Then came forth an Elf bearing a withered leaf, while her many-colored
robe and the purple tulips in her hair told her name and charge.

“Dear Queen,” she sadly said, “I would gladly bring as pleasant tidings
as my sister, but, alas! my flowers are proud and wilful, and when I
went to gather my little gift of colored leaves for royal garments,
they bade me bring this withered blossom, and tell you they would serve
no longer one who will not make them Queen over all the other flowers.
They would yield neither dew nor honey, but proudly closed their leaves
and bid me go.”

“Your task has been too hard for you,” said the Queen kindly, as she
placed the drooping flower in the urn Eglantine had given, “you will
see how this dew from a sweet, pure heart will give new life and
loveliness even to this poor faded one. So can you, dear Rainbow, by
loving words and gentle teachings, bring back lost purity and peace to
those whom pride and selfishness have blighted. Go once again to the
proud flowers, and tell them when they are queen of their own hearts
they will ask no fairer kingdom. Watch more tenderly than ever over
them, see that they lack neither dew nor air, speak lovingly to them,
and let no unkind word or deed of theirs anger you. Let them see by
your patient love and care how much fairer they might be, and when next
you come, you will be laden with gifts from humble, loving flowers.”

Thus they told what they had done, and received from their Queen some
gentle chiding or loving word of praise.

“You will be weary of this,” said little Rose-Leaf to Eva; “come now
and see where we are taught to read the tales written on flower-leaves,
and the sweet language of the birds, and all that can make a Fairy
heart wiser and better.”

Then into a cheerful place they went, where were many groups of
flowers, among whose leaves sat the child Elves, and learned from their
flower-books all that Fairy hands had written there. Some studied how
to watch the tender buds, when to spread them to the sunlight, and when
to shelter them from rain; how to guard the ripening seeds, and when to
lay them in the warm earth or send them on the summer wind to far off
hills and valleys, where other Fairy hands would tend and cherish them,
till a sisterhood of happy flowers sprang up to beautify and gladden
the lonely spot where they had fallen. Others learned to heal the
wounded insects, whose frail limbs a breeze could shatter, and who,
were it not for Fairy hands, would die ere half their happy summer life
had gone. Some learned how by pleasant dreams to cheer and comfort
mortal hearts, by whispered words of love to save from evil deeds those
who had gone astray, to fill young hearts with gentle thoughts and pure
affections, that no sin might mar the beauty of the human flower; while
others, like mortal children, learned the Fairy alphabet. Thus the
Elves made loving friends by care and love, and no evil thing could
harm them, for those they helped to cherish and protect ever watched to
shield and save them.

Eva nodded to the gay little ones, as they peeped from among the leaves
at the stranger, and then she listened to the Fairy lessons. Several
tiny Elves stood on a broad leaf while the teacher sat among the petals
of a flower that bent beside them, and asked questions that none but
Fairies would care to know.

“Twinkle, if there lay nine seeds within a flower-cup and the wind bore
five away, how many would the blossom have?” “Four,” replied the little
one.

“Rosebud, if a Cowslip opens three leaves in one day and four the next,
how many rosy leaves will there be when the whole flower has bloomed?”

“Seven,” sang the gay little Elf.

“Harebell, if a silkworm spin one yard of Fairy cloth in an hour, how
many will it spin in a day?”

“Twelve,” said the Fairy child.

“Primrose, where lies Violet Island?”

“In the Lake of Ripples.”

“Lilla, you may bound Rose Land.”

“On the north by Ferndale, south by Sunny Wave River, east by the hill
of Morning Clouds, and west by the Evening Star.”

“Now, little ones,” said the teacher, “you may go to your painting,
that our visitor may see how we repair the flowers that earthly hands
have injured.”

Then Eva saw how, on large, white leaves, the Fairies learned to
imitate the lovely colors, and with tiny brushes to brighten the blush
on the anemone’s cheek, to deepen the blue of the violet’s eye, and add
new light to the golden cowslip.

“You have stayed long enough,” said the Elves at length, “we have many
things to show you. Come now and see what is our dearest work.”

So Eva said farewell to the child Elves, and hastened with little
Rose-Leaf to the gates. Here she saw many bands of Fairies, folded in
dark mantles that mortals might not know them, who, with the child
among them, flew away over hill and valley. Some went to the cottages
amid the hills, some to the sea-side to watch above the humble fisher
folks; but little Rose-Leaf and many others went into the noisy city.

Eva wondered within herself what good the tiny Elves could do in this
great place; but she soon learned, for the Fairy band went among the
poor and friendless, bringing pleasant dreams to the sick and old,
sweet, tender thoughts of love and gentleness to the young, strength to
the weak, and patient cheerfulness to the poor and lonely.

Then the child wondered no longer, but deeper grew her love for the
tender-hearted Elves, who left their own happy home to cheer and
comfort those who never knew what hands had clothed and fed them, what
hearts had given of their own joy, and brought such happiness to
theirs.

Long they stayed, and many a lesson little Eva learned: but when she
begged them to go back, they still led her on, saying, “Our work is not
yet done; shall we leave so many sad hearts when we may cheer them, so
many dark homes that we may brighten? We must stay yet longer, little
Eva, and you may learn yet more.”

Then they went into a dark and lonely room, and here they found a pale,
sad-eyed child, who wept bitter tears over a faded flower.

“Ah,” sighed the little one, “it was my only friend, and I cherished it
with all my lone heart’s love; ’t was all that made my sad life happy;
and it is gone.”

Tenderly the child fastened the drooping stem, and placed it where the
one faint ray of sunlight stole into the dreary room.

“Do you see,” said the Elves, “through this simple flower will we keep
the child pure and stainless amid the sin and sorrow around her. The
love of this shall lead her on through temptation and through grief,
and she shall be a spirit of joy and consolation to the sinful and the
sorrowing.”

And with busy love toiled the Elves amid the withered leaves, and new
strength was given to the flower; while, as day by day the friendless
child watered the growing buds, deeper grew her love for the unseen
friends who had given her one thing to cherish in her lonely home;
sweet, gentle thoughts filled her heart as she bent above it, and the
blossom’s fragrant breath was to her a whispered voice of all fair and
lovely things; and as the flower taught her, so she taught others.

The loving Elves brought her sweet dreams by night, and happy thoughts
by day, and as she grew in childlike beauty, pure and patient amid
poverty and sorrow, the sinful were rebuked, sorrowing hearts grew
light, and the weak and selfish forgot their idle fears, when they saw
her trustingly live on with none to aid or comfort her. The love she
bore the tender flower kept her own heart innocent and bright, and the
pure human flower was a lesson to those who looked upon it; and soon
the gloomy house was bright with happy hearts, that learned of the
gentle child to bear poverty and grief as she had done, to forgive
those who brought care and wrong to them, and to seek for happiness in
humble deeds of charity and love.

“Our work is done,” whispered the Elves, and with blessings on the two
fair flowers, they flew away to other homes;—to a blind old man who
dwelt alone with none to love him, till through long years of darkness
and of silent sorrow the heart within had grown dim and cold. No
sunlight could enter at the darkened eyes, and none were near to
whisper gentle words, to cheer and comfort.

Thus he dwelt forgotten and alone, seeking to give no joy to others,
possessing none himself. Life was dark and sad till the untiring Elves
came to his dreary home, bringing sunlight and love. They whispered
sweet words of comfort,—how, if the darkened eyes could find no light
without, within there might be never-failing happiness; gentle feelings
and sweet, loving thoughts could make the heart fair, if the gloomy,
selfish sorrow were but cast away, and all would be bright and
beautiful.

They brought light-hearted children, who gathered round him, making the
desolate home fair with their young faces, and his sad heart gay with
their sweet, childish voices. The love they bore he could not cast
away, sunlight stole in, the dark thoughts passed away, and the earth
was a pleasant home to him.

Thus their little hands led him back to peace and happiness, flowers
bloomed beside his door, and their fragrant breath brought happy
thoughts of pleasant valleys and green hills; birds sang to him, and
their sweet voices woke the music in his own soul, that never failed to
calm and comfort. Happy sounds were heard in his once lonely home, and
bright faces gathered round his knee, and listened tenderly while he
strove to tell them all the good that gentleness and love had done for
him.

Still the Elves watched near, and brighter grew the heart as kindly
thoughts and tender feelings entered in, and made it their home; and
when the old man fell asleep, above his grave little feet trod lightly,
and loving hands laid fragrant flowers.

Then went the Elves into the dreary prison-houses, where sad hearts
pined in lonely sorrow for the joy and freedom they had lost. To these
came the loving band with tender words, telling of the peace they yet
might win by patient striving and repentant tears, thus waking in their
bosoms all the holy feelings and sweet affections that had slept so
long.

They told pleasant tales, and sang their sweetest songs to cheer and
gladden, while the dim cells grew bright with the sunlight, and
fragrant with the flowers the loving Elves had brought, and by their
gentle teachings those sad, despairing hearts were filled with patient
hope and earnest longing to win back their lost innocence and joy.

Thus to all who needed help or comfort went the faithful Fairies; and
when at length they turned towards Fairy-Land, many were the grateful,
happy hearts they left behind.

Then through the summer sky, above the blossoming earth, they journeyed
home, happier for the joy they had given, wiser for the good they had
done.

All Fairy-Land was dressed in flowers, and the soft wind went singing
by, laden with their fragrant breath. Sweet music sounded through the
air, and troops of Elves in their gayest robes hastened to the palace
where the feast was spread.

Soon the bright hall was filled with smiling faces and fair forms, and
little Eva, as she stood beside the Queen, thought she had never seen a
sight so lovely.

The many-colored shadows of the fairest flowers played on the pure
white walls, and fountains sparkled in the sunlight, making music as
the cool waves rose and fell, while to and fro, with waving wings and
joyous voices, went the smiling Elves, bearing fruit and honey, or
fragrant garlands for each other’s hair.

Long they feasted, gayly they sang, and Eva, dancing merrily among
them, longed to be an Elf that she might dwell forever in so fair a
home.

At length the music ceased, and the Queen said, as she laid her hand on
little Eva’s shining hair:—

“Dear child, tomorrow we must bear you home, for, much as we long to
keep you, it were wrong to bring such sorrow to your loving earthly
friends; therefore we will guide you to the brook-side, and there say
farewell till you come again to visit us. Nay, do not weep, dear
Rose-Leaf; you shall watch over little Eva’s flowers, and when she
looks at them she will think of you. Come now and lead her to the Fairy
garden, and show her what we think our fairest sight. Weep no more, but
strive to make her last hours with us happy as you can.”

With gentle caresses and most tender words the loving Elves gathered
about the child, and, with Rose-Leaf by her side, they led her through
the palace, and along green, winding paths, till Eva saw what seemed a
wall of flowers rising before her, while the air was filled with the
most fragrant odors, and the low, sweet music as of singing blossoms.

“Where have you brought me, and what mean these lovely sounds?” asked
Eva.

“Look here, and you shall see,” said Rose-Leaf, as she bent aside the
vines, “but listen silently or you cannot hear.”

Then Eva, looking through the drooping vines, beheld a garden filled
with the loveliest flowers; fair as were all the blossoms she had seen
in Fairy-Land, none were so beautiful as these. The rose glowed with a
deeper crimson, the lily’s soft leaves were more purely white, the
crocus and humble cowslip shone like sunlight, and the violet was blue
as the sky that smiled above it.

“How beautiful they are,” whispered Eva, “but, dear Rose-Leaf, why do
you keep them here, and why call you this your fairest sight?”

“Look again, and I will tell you,” answered the Fairy.

Eva looked, and saw from every flower a tiny form come forth to welcome
the Elves, who all, save Rose-Leaf, had flown above the wall, and were
now scattering dew upon the flowers’ bright leaves and talking gayly
with the Spirits, who gathered around them, and seemed full of joy that
they had come. The child saw that each one wore the colors of the
flower that was its home. Delicate and graceful were the little forms,
bright the silken hair that fell about each lovely face; and Eva heard
the low, sweet murmur of their silvery voices and the rustle of their
wings. She gazed in silent wonder, forgetting she knew not who they
were, till the Fairy said,—

“These are the spirits of the flowers, and this the Fairy Home where
those whose hearts were pure and loving on the earth come to bloom in
fadeless beauty here, when their earthly life is past. The humblest
flower that blooms has a home with us, for outward beauty is a
worthless thing if all be not fair and sweet within. Do you see yonder
lovely spirit singing with my sister Moonlight? a clover blossom was
her home, and she dwelt unknown, unloved; yet patient and content,
bearing cheerfully the sorrows sent her. We watched and saw how fair
and sweet the humble flower grew, and then gladly bore her here, to
blossom with the lily and the rose. The flowers’ lives are often short,
for cruel hands destroy them; therefore is it our greatest joy to bring
them hither, where no careless foot or wintry wind can harm them, where
they bloom in quiet beauty, repaying our care by their love and
sweetest perfumes.”

“I will never break another flower,” cried Eva; “but let me go to them,
dear Fairy; I would gladly know the lovely spirits, and ask forgiveness
for the sorrow I have caused. May I not go in?”

“Nay, dear Eva, you are a mortal child, and cannot enter here; but I
will tell them of the kind little maiden who has learned to love them,
and they will remember you when you are gone. Come now, for you have
seen enough, and we must be away.”

On a rosy morning cloud, surrounded by the loving Elves, went Eva
through the sunny sky. The fresh wind bore them gently on, and soon
they stood again beside the brook, whose waves danced brightly as if to
welcome them.

“Now, ere we say farewell,” said the Queen, as they gathered nearer to
the child, “tell me, dear Eva, what among all our Fairy gifts will make
you happiest, and it shall be yours.”

“You good little Fairies,” said Eva, folding them in her arms, for she
was no longer the tiny child she had been in Fairy-Land, “you dear good
little Elves, what can I ask of you, who have done so much to make me
happy, and taught me so many good and gentle lessons, the memory of
which will never pass away? I can only ask of you the power to be as
pure and gentle as yourselves, as tender and loving to the weak and
sorrowing, as untiring in kindly deeds to all. Grant me this gift, and
you shall see that little Eva has not forgotten what you have taught
her.”

“The power shall be yours,” said the Elves, and laid their soft hands
on her head; “we will watch over you in dreams, and when you would have
tidings of us, ask the flowers in your garden, and they will tell you
all you would know. Farewell. Remember Fairy-Land and all your loving
friends.”

They clung about her tenderly, and little Rose-Leaf placed a flower
crown on her head, whispering softly, “When you would come to us again,
stand by the brook-side and wave this in the air, and we will gladly
take you to our home again. Farewell, dear Eva. Think of your little
Rose-Leaf when among the flowers.”

Long Eva watched their shining wings, and listened to the music of
their voices as they flew singing home, and when at length the last
little form had vanished among the clouds, she saw that all around her
where the Elves had been, the fairest flowers had sprung up, and the
lonely brook-side was a blooming garden.

Thus she stood among the waving blossoms, with the Fairy garland in her
hair, and happy feelings in her heart, better and wiser for her visit
to Fairy-Land.

“Now, Star-Twinkle, what have you to teach?” asked the Queen.

“Nothing but a little song I heard the hare-bells singing,” replied the
Fairy, and, taking her harp, sang, in a low, sweet voice:—



THE FLOWER’S LESSON.


There grew a fragrant rose-tree where the brook flows,
With two little tender buds, and one full rose;
When the sun went down to his bed in the west,
The little buds leaned on the rose-mother’s breast,
While the bright eyed stars their long watch kept,
And the flowers of the valley in their green cradles slept;
Then silently in odors they communed with each other,
The two little buds on the bosom of their mother.
“O sister,” said the little one, as she gazed at the sky,
“I wish that the Dew Elves, as they wander lightly by,
Would bring me a star; for they never grow dim,
And the Father does not need them to burn round him.
The shining drops of dew the Elves bring each day
And place in my bosom, so soon pass away;
But a star would glitter brightly through the long summer hours,
And I should be fairer than all my sister flowers.
That were better far than the dew-drops that fall
On the high and the low, and come alike to all.
I would be fair and stately, with a bright star to shine
And give a queenly air to this crimson robe of mine.”
And proudly she cried, “These fire-flies shall be
My jewels, since the stars can never come to me.”
Just then a tiny dew-drop that hung o’er the dell
On the breast of the bud like a soft star fell;
But impatiently she flung it away from her leaf,
And it fell on her mother like a tear of grief,
While she folded to her breast, with wilful pride,
A glittering fire-fly that hung by her side.
“Heed,” said the mother rose, “daughter mine,
Why shouldst thou seek for beauty not thine?
The Father hath made thee what thou now art;
And what he most loveth is a sweet, pure heart.
Then why dost thou take with such discontent
The loving gift which he to thee hath sent?
For the cool fresh dew will render thee far
More lovely and sweet than the brightest star;
They were made for Heaven, and can never come to shine
Like the fire-fly thou hast in that foolish breast of thine.
O my foolish little bud, do listen to thy mother;
Care only for true beauty, and seek for no other.
There will be grief and trouble in that wilful little heart;
Unfold thy leaves, my daughter, and let the fly depart.”
But the proud little bud would have her own will,
And folded the fire-fly more closely still;
Till the struggling insect tore open the vest
Of purple and green, that covered her breast.
When the sun came up, she saw with grief
The blooming of her sister bud leaf by leaf.
While she, once as fair and bright as the rest,
Hung her weary head down on her wounded breast.
Bright grew the sunshine, and the soft summer air
Was filled with the music of flowers singing there;
But faint grew the little bud with thirst and pain,
And longed for the cool dew; but now ’t was in vain.
Then bitterly she wept for her folly and pride,
As drooping she stood by her fair sister’s side.
Then the rose mother leaned the weary little head
On her bosom to rest, and tenderly she said:
“Thou hast learned, my little bud, that, whatever may betide,
Thou canst win thyself no joy by passion or by pride.
The loving Father sends the sunshine and the shower,
That thou mayst become a perfect little flower;—
The sweet dews to feed thee, the soft wind to cheer,
And the earth as a pleasant home, while thou art dwelling here.
Then shouldst thou not be grateful for all this kindly care,
And strive to keep thyself most innocent and fair?
Then seek, my little blossom, to win humility;
Be fair without, be pure within, and thou wilt happy be.
So when the quiet Autumn of thy fragrant life shall come,
Thou mayst pass away, to bloom in the Flower Spirits’ home.”
Then from the mother’s breast, where it still lay hid,
Into the fading bud the dew-drop gently slid;
Stronger grew the little form, and happy tears fell,
As the dew did its silent work, and the bud grew well,
While the gentle rose leaned, with motherly pride,
O’er the fair little ones that bloomed at her side.


Night came again, and the fire-flies flew;
But the bud let them pass, and drank of the dew;
While the soft stars shone, from the still summer heaven,
On the happy little flower that had learned the lesson given.


The music-loving Elves clapped their hands, as Star-Twinkle ceased; and
the Queen placed a flower crown, with a gentle smile, upon the Fairy’s
head, saying,—

“The little bud’s lesson shall teach us how sad a thing is pride, and
that humility alone can bring true happiness to flower and Fairy. You
shall come next, Zephyr.”

And the little Fairy, who lay rocking to and fro upon a fluttering
vine-leaf, thus began her story:—

“As I lay resting in the bosom of a cowslip that bent above the brook,
a little wind, tired of play, told me this tale of



LILY-BELL AND THISTLEDOWN.


Once upon a time, two little Fairies went out into the world, to seek
their fortune. Thistledown was as gay and gallant a little Elf as ever
spread a wing. His purple mantle, and doublet of green, were
embroidered with the brightest threads, and the plume in his cap came
always from the wing of the gayest butterfly.

But he was not loved in Fairy-Land, for, like the flower whose name and
colors he wore, though fair to look upon, many were the little thorns
of cruelty and selfishness that lay concealed by his gay mantle. Many a
gentle flower and harmless bird died by his hand, for he cared for
himself alone, and whatever gave him pleasure must be his, though happy
hearts were rendered sad, and peaceful homes destroyed.

Such was Thistledown; but far different was his little friend,
Lily-Bell. Kind, compassionate, and loving, wherever her gentle face
was seen, joy and gratitude were found; no suffering flower or insect,
that did not love and bless the kindly Fairy; and thus all Elf-Land
looked upon her as a friend.

Nor did this make her vain and heedless of others; she humbly dwelt
among them, seeking to do all the good she might; and many a houseless
bird and hungry insect that Thistledown had harmed did she feed and
shelter, and in return no evil could befall her, for so many friends
were all about her, seeking to repay her tenderness and love by their
watchful care.

She would not now have left Fairy-Land, but to help and counsel her
wild companion, Thistledown, who, discontented with his quiet home,
WOULD seek his fortune in the great world, and she feared he would
suffer from his own faults for others would not always be as gentle and
forgiving as his kindred. So the kind little Fairy left her home and
friends to go with him; and thus, side by side, they flew beneath the
bright summer sky.

On and on, over hill and valley, they went, chasing the gay
butterflies, or listening to the bees, as they flew from flower to
flower like busy little housewives, singing as they worked; till at
last they reached a pleasant garden, filled with flowers and green, old
trees.

“See,” cried Thistledown, “what a lovely home is here; let us rest
among the cool leaves, and hear the flowers sing, for I am sadly tired
and hungry.”

So into the quiet garden they went, and the winds gayly welcomed them,
while the flowers nodded on their stems, offering their bright leaves
for the Elves to rest upon, and fresh, sweet honey to refresh them.

“Now, dear Thistle, do not harm these friendly blossoms,” said
Lily-Bell; “see how kindly they spread their leaves, and offer us their
dew. It would be very wrong in you to repay their care with cruelty and
pain. You will be tender for my sake, dear Thistle.”

Then she went among the flowers, and they bent lovingly before her, and
laid their soft leaves against her little face, that she might see how
glad they were to welcome one so good and gentle, and kindly offered
their dew and honey to the weary little Fairy, who sat among their
fragrant petals and looked smilingly on the happy blossoms, who, with
their soft, low voices, sang her to sleep.

While Lily-Bell lay dreaming among the rose-leaves, Thistledown went
wandering through the garden. First he robbed the bees of their honey,
and rudely shook the little flowers, that he might get the dew they had
gathered to bathe their buds in. Then he chased the bright winged
flies, and wounded them with the sharp thorn he carried for a sword; he
broke the spider’s shining webs, lamed the birds, and soon wherever he
passed lay wounded insects and drooping flowers; while the winds
carried the tidings over the garden, and bird and blossom looked upon
him as an evil spirit, and fled away or closed their leaves, lest he
should harm them.

Thus he went, leaving sorrow and pain behind him, till he came to the
roses where Lily-Bell lay sleeping. There, weary of his cruel sport, he
stayed to rest beneath a graceful rose-tree, where grew one blooming
flower and a tiny bud.

“Why are you so slow in blooming, little one? You are too old to be
rocked in your green cradle longer, and should be out among your sister
flowers,” said Thistle, as he lay idly in the shadow of the tree.

“My little bud is not yet strong enough to venture forth,” replied the
rose, as she bent fondly over it; “the sunlight and the rain would
blight her tender form, were she to blossom now, but soon she will be
fit to bear them; till then she is content to rest beside her mother,
and to wait.”

“You silly flower,” said Thistledown, “see how quickly I will make you
bloom! your waiting is all useless.” And speaking thus, he pulled
rudely apart the folded leaves, and laid them open to the sun and air;
while the rose mother implored the cruel Fairy to leave her little bud
untouched.

“It is my first, my only one,” said she, “and I have watched over it
with such care, hoping it would soon bloom beside me; and now you have
destroyed it. How could you harm the little helpless one, that never
did aught to injure you?” And while her tears fell like summer rain,
she drooped in grief above the little bud, and sadly watched it fading
in the sunlight; but Thistledown, heedless of the sorrow he had given,
spread his wings and flew away.

Soon the sky grew dark, and heavy drops began to fall. Then Thistle
hastened to the lily, for her cup was deep, and the white leaves fell
like curtains over the fragrant bed; he was a dainty little Elf, and
could not sleep among the clovers and bright buttercups. But when he
asked the flower to unfold her leaves and take him in, she turned her
pale, soft face away, and answered sadly, “I must shield my little
drooping sisters whom you have harmed, and cannot let you in.”

Then Thistledown was very angry, and turned to find shelter among the
stately roses; but they showed their sharp thorns, and, while their
rosy faces glowed with anger, told him to begone, or they would repay
him for the wrong he had done their gentle kindred.

He would have stayed to harm them, but the rain fell fast, and he
hurried away, saying, “The tulips will take me in, for I have praised
their beauty, and they are vain and foolish flowers.”

But when he came, all wet and cold, praying for shelter among their
thick leaves, they only laughed and said scornfully, “We know you, and
will not let you in, for you are false and cruel, and will only bring
us sorrow. You need not come to us for another mantle, when the rain
has spoilt your fine one; and do not stay here, or we will do you
harm.”

Then they waved their broad leaves stormily, and scattered the heavy
drops on his dripping garments.

“Now must I go to the humble daisies and blue violets,” said Thistle,
“they will be glad to let in so fine a Fairy, and I shall die in this
cold wind and rain.”

So away he flew, as fast as his heavy wings would bear him, to the
daisies; but they nodded their heads wisely, and closed their leaves
yet closer, saying sharply,—

“Go away with yourself, and do not imagine we will open our leaves to
you, and spoil our seeds by letting in the rain. It serves you rightly;
to gain our love and confidence, and repay it by such cruelty! You will
find no shelter here for one whose careless hand wounded our little
friend Violet, and broke the truest heart that ever beat in a flower’s
breast. We are very angry with you, wicked Fairy; go away and hide
yourself.”

“Ah,” cried the shivering Elf, “where can I find shelter? I will go to
the violets: they will forgive and take me in.”

But the daisies had spoken truly; the gentle little flower was dead,
and her blue-eyed sisters were weeping bitterly over her faded leaves.

“Now I have no friends,” sighed poor Thistledown, “and must die of
cold. Ah, if I had but minded Lily-Bell, I might now be dreaming
beneath some flower’s leaves.”

“Others can forgive and love, beside Lily-Bell and Violet,” said a
faint, sweet voice; “I have no little bud to shelter now, and you can
enter here.” It was the rose mother that spoke, and Thistle saw how
pale the bright leaves had grown, and how the slender stem was bowed.
Grieved, ashamed, and wondering at the flower’s forgiving words, he
laid his weary head on the bosom he had filled with sorrow, and the
fragrant leaves were folded carefully about him.

But he could find no rest. The rose strove to comfort him; but when she
fancied he was sleeping, thoughts of her lost bud stole in, and the
little heart beat so sadly where he lay, that no sleep came; while the
bitter tears he had caused to flow fell more coldly on him than the
rain without. Then he heard the other flowers whispering among
themselves of his cruelty, and the sorrow he had brought to their happy
home; and many wondered how the rose, who had suffered most, could yet
forgive and shelter him.

“Never could I forgive one who had robbed me of my children. I could
bow my head and die, but could give no happiness to one who had taken
all my own,” said Hyacinth, bending fondly over the little ones that
blossomed by her side.

“Dear Violet is not the only one who will leave us,” sobbed little
Mignonette; “the rose mother will fade like her little bud, and we
shall lose our gentlest teacher. Her last lesson is forgiveness; let us
show our love for her, and the gentle stranger Lily-Bell, by allowing
no unkind word or thought of him who has brought us all this grief.”

The angry words were hushed, and through the long night nothing was
heard but the dropping of the rain, and the low sighs of the rose.

Soon the sunlight came again, and with it Lily-Bell seeking for
Thistledown; but he was ashamed, and stole away.

When the flowers told their sorrow to kind-hearted Lily-Bell, she wept
bitterly at the pain her friend had given, and with loving words strove
to comfort those whom he had grieved; with gentle care she healed the
wounded birds, and watched above the flowers he had harmed, bringing
each day dew and sunlight to refresh and strengthen, till all were well
again; and though sorrowing for their dead friends, still they forgave
Thistle for the sake of her who had done so much for them. Thus,
erelong, buds fairer than that she had lost lay on the rose mother’s
breast, and for all she had suffered she was well repaid by the love of
Lily-Bell and her sister flowers.

And when bird, bee, and blossom were strong and fair again, the gentle
Fairy said farewell, and flew away to seek her friend, leaving behind
many grateful hearts, who owed their joy and life to her.


Meanwhile, over hill and dale went Thistledown, and for a time was kind
and gentle to every living thing. He missed sadly the little friend who
had left her happy home to watch over him, but he was too proud to own
his fault, and so went on, hoping she would find him.

One day he fell asleep, and when he woke the sun had set, and the dew
began to fall; the flower-cups were closed, and he had nowhere to go,
till a friendly little bee, belated by his heavy load of honey, bid the
weary Fairy come with him.

“Help me to bear my honey home, and you can stay with us tonight,” he
kindly said.

So Thistle gladly went with him, and soon they came to a pleasant
garden, where among the fairest flowers stood the hive, covered with
vines and overhung with blossoming trees. Glow-worms stood at the door
to light them home, and as they passed in, the Fairy thought how
charming it must be to dwell in such a lovely place. The floor of wax
was pure and white as marble, while the walls were formed of golden
honey-comb, and the air was fragrant with the breath of flowers.

“You cannot see our Queen to-night,” said the little bee, “but I will
show you to a bed where you can rest.”

And he led the tired Fairy to a little cell, where on a bed of
flower-leaves he folded his wings and fell asleep.

As the first ray of sunlight stole in, he was awakened by sweet music.
It was the morning song of the bees.


“Awake! awake! for the earliest gleam
Of golden sunlight shines
On the rippling waves, that brightly flow
Beneath the flowering vines.
Awake! awake! for the low, sweet chant
Of the wild-birds’ morning hymn
Comes floating by on the fragrant air,
Through the forest cool and dim;
Then spread each wing,
And work, and sing,
Through the long, bright sunny hours;
O’er the pleasant earth
We journey forth,
For a day among the flowers.


“Awake! awake! for the summer wind
Hath bidden the blossoms unclose,
Hath opened the violet’s soft blue eye,
And wakened the sleeping rose.
And lightly they wave on their slender stems
Fragrant, and fresh, and fair,
Waiting for us, as we singing come
To gather our honey-dew there.
Then spread each wing,
And work, and sing,
Through the long, bright sunny hours;
O’er the pleasant earth
We journey forth,
For a day among the flowers!”


Soon his friend came to bid him rise, as the Queen desired to speak
with him. So, with his purple mantle thrown gracefully over his
shoulder, and his little cap held respectfully in his hand, he followed
Nimble-Wing to the great hall, where the Queen was being served by her
little pages. Some bore her fresh dew and honey, some fanned her with
fragrant flower-leaves, while others scattered the sweetest perfumes on
the air.

“Little Fairy,” said the Queen, “you are welcome to my palace; and we
will gladly have you stay with us, if you will obey our laws. We do not
spend the pleasant summer days in idleness and pleasure, but each one
labors for the happiness and good of all. If our home is beautiful, we
have made it so by industry; and here, as one large, loving family, we
dwell; no sorrow, care, or discord can enter in, while all obey the
voice of her who seeks to be a wise and gentle Queen to them. If you
will stay with us, we will teach you many things. Order, patience,
industry, who can teach so well as they who are the emblems of these
virtues?

“Our laws are few and simple. You must each day gather your share of
honey, see that your cell is sweet and fresh, as you yourself must be;
rise with the sun, and with him to sleep. You must harm no flower in
doing your work, nor take more than your just share of honey; for they
so kindly give us food, it were most cruel to treat them with aught
save gentleness and gratitude. Now will you stay with us, and learn
what even mortals seek to know, that labor brings true happiness?”

And Thistle said he would stay and dwell with them; for he was tired of
wandering alone, and thought he might live here till Lily-Bell should
come, or till he was weary of the kind-hearted bees. Then they took
away his gay garments, and dressed him like themselves, in the black
velvet cloak with golden bands across his breast.

“Now come with us,” they said. So forth into the green fields they
went, and made their breakfast among the dewy flowers; and then till
the sun set they flew from bud to blossom, singing as they went; and
Thistle for a while was happier than when breaking flowers and harming
gentle birds.

But he soon grew tired of working all day in the sun, and longed to be
free again. He could find no pleasure with the industrious bees, and
sighed to be away with his idle friends, the butterflies; so while the
others worked he slept or played, and then, in haste to get his share,
he tore the flowers, and took all they had saved for their own food.
Nor was this all; he told such pleasant tales of the life he led before
he came to live with them, that many grew unhappy and discontented, and
they who had before wished no greater joy than the love and praise of
their kind Queen, now disobeyed and blamed her for all she had done for
them.

Long she bore with their unkind words and deeds; and when at length she
found it was the ungrateful Fairy who had wrought this trouble in her
quiet kingdom, she strove, with sweet, forgiving words, to show him all
the wrong he had done; but he would not listen, and still went on
destroying the happiness of those who had done so much for him.

Then, when she saw that no kindness could touch his heart, she said:—

“Thistledown, we took you in, a friendless stranger, fed and clothed
you, and made our home as pleasant to you as we could; and in return
for all our care, you have brought discontent and trouble to my
subjects, grief and care to me. I cannot let my peaceful kingdom be
disturbed by you; therefore go and seek another home. You may find
other friends, but none will love you more than we, had you been worthy
of it; so farewell.” And the doors of the once happy home he had
disturbed were closed behind him.

Then he was very angry, and determined to bring some great sorrow on
the good Queen. So he sought out the idle, wilful bees, whom he had
first made discontented, bidding them follow him, and win the honey the
Queen had stored up for the winter.

“Let us feast and make merry in the pleasant summer-time,” said
Thistle; “winter is far off, why should we waste these lovely days,
toiling to lay up the food we might enjoy now. Come, we will take what
we have made, and think no more of what the Queen has said.”

So while the industrious bees were out among the flowers, he led the
drones to the hive, and took possession of the honey, destroying and
laying waste the home of the kind bees; then, fearing that in their
grief and anger they might harm him, Thistle flew away to seek new
friends.


After many wanderings, he came at length to a great forest, and here
beside a still lake he stayed to rest. Delicate wood-flowers grew near
him in the deep green moss, with drooping heads, as if they listened to
the soft wind singing among the pines. Bright-eyed birds peeped at him
from their nests, and many-colored insects danced above the cool, still
lake.

“This is a pleasant place,” said Thistle; “it shall be my home for a
while. Come hither, blue dragon-fly, I would gladly make a friend of
you, for I am all alone.”

The dragon-fly folded his shining wings beside the Elf, listened to the
tale he told, promised to befriend the lonely one, and strove to make
the forest a happy home to him.

So here dwelt Thistle, and many kind friends gathered round him, for he
spoke gently to them, and they knew nothing of the cruel deeds he had
done; and for a while he was happy and content. But at length he grew
weary of the gentle birds, and wild-flowers, and sought new pleasure in
destroying the beauty he was tired of; and soon the friends who had so
kindly welcomed him looked upon him as an evil spirit, and shrunk away
as he approached.

At length his friend the dragon-fly besought him to leave the quiet
home he had disturbed. Then Thistle was very angry, and while the
dragon-fly was sleeping among the flowers that hung over the lake, he
led an ugly spider to the spot, and bade him weave his nets about the
sleeping insect, and bind him fast. The cruel spider gladly obeyed the
ungrateful Fairy; and soon the poor fly could move neither leg nor
wing. Then Thistle flew away through the wood, leaving sorrow and
trouble behind him.

He had not journeyed far before he grew weary, and lay down to rest.
Long he slept, and when he awoke, and tried to rise, his hands and
wings were bound; while beside him stood two strange little figures,
with dark faces and garments, that rustled like withered leaves; who
cried to him, as he struggled to get free,—

“Lie still, you naughty Fairy, you are in the Brownies’ power, and
shall be well punished for your cruelty ere we let you go.”

So poor Thistle lay sorrowfully, wondering what would come of it, and
wishing Lily-Bell would come to help and comfort him; but he had left
her, and she could not help him now.

Soon a troop of Brownies came rustling through the air, and gathered
round him, while one who wore an acorn-cup on his head, and was their
King, said, as he stood beside the trembling Fairy,—

“You have done many cruel things, and caused much sorrow to happy
hearts; now you are in my power, and I shall keep you prisoner till you
have repented. You cannot dwell on the earth without harming the fair
things given you to enjoy, so you shall live alone in solitude and
darkness, till you have learned to find happiness in gentle deeds, and
forget yourself in giving joy to others. When you have learned this, I
will set you free.”

Then the Brownies bore him to a high, dark rock, and, entering a little
door, led him to a small cell, dimly lighted by a crevice through which
came a single gleam of sunlight; and there, through long, long days,
poor Thistle sat alone, and gazed with wistful eyes at the little
opening, longing to be out on the green earth. No one came to him, but
the silent Brownies who brought his daily food; and with bitter tears
he wept for Lily-Bell, mourning his cruelty and selfishness, seeking to
do some kindly deed that might atone for his wrong-doing.

A little vine that grew outside his prison rock came creeping up, and
looked in through the crevice, as if to cheer the lonely Fairy, who
welcomed it most gladly, and daily sprinkled its soft leaves with his
small share of water, that the little vine might live, even if it
darkened more and more his dim cell.

The watchful Brownies saw this kind deed, and brought him fresh
flowers, and many things, which Thistle gratefully received, though he
never knew it was his kindness to the vine that gained for him these
pleasures.

Thus did poor Thistle strive to be more gentle and unselfish, and grew
daily happier and better.

Now while Thistledown was a captive in the lonely cell, Lily-Bell was
seeking him far and wide, and sadly traced him by the sorrowing hearts
he had left behind.

She healed the drooping flowers, cheered the Queen Bee’s grief, brought
back her discontented subjects, restored the home to peace and order,
and left them blessing her.

Thus she journeyed on, till she reached the forest where Thistledown
had lost his freedom. She unbound the starving dragon-fly, and tended
the wounded birds; but though all learned to love her, none could tell
where the Brownies had borne her friend, till a little wind came
whispering by, and told her that a sweet voice had been heard, singing
Fairy songs, deep in a moss-grown rock.

Then Lily-Bell went seeking through the forest, listening for the
voice. Long she looked and listened in vain; when one day, as she was
wandering through a lonely dell, she heard a faint, low sound of music,
and soon a distant voice mournfully singing,—


“Bright shines the summer sun,
Soft is the summer air;
Gayly the wood-birds sing,
Flowers are blooming fair.


“But, deep in the dark, cold rock,
Sadly I dwell,
Longing for thee, dear friend,
Lily-Bell! Lily-Bell!”


“Thistle, dear Thistle, where are you?” joyfully cried Lily-Bell, as
she flew from rock to rock. But the voice was still, and she would have
looked in vain, had she not seen a little vine, whose green leaves
fluttering to and fro seemed beckoning her to come; and as she stood
among its flowers she sang,—


“Through sunlight and summer air
I have sought for thee long,
Guided by birds and flowers,
And now by thy song.


“Thistledown! Thistledown!
O’er hill and dell
Hither to comfort thee
Comes Lily-Bell.”


Then from the vine-leaves two little arms were stretched out to her,
and Thistledown was found. So Lily-Bell made her home in the shadow of
the vine, and brought such joy to Thistle, that his lonely cell seemed
pleasanter to him than all the world beside; and he grew daily more
like his gentle friend. But it did not last long, for one day she did
not come. He watched and waited long, for the little face that used to
peep smiling in through the vine-leaves. He called and beckoned through
the narrow opening, but no Lily-Bell answered; and he wept sadly as he
thought of all she had done for him, and that now he could not go to
seek and help her, for he had lost his freedom by his own cruel and
wicked deeds.

At last he besought the silent Brownie earnestly to tell him whither
she had gone.

“O let me go to her,” prayed Thistle; “if she is in sorrow, I will
comfort her, and show my gratitude for all she has done for me: dear
Brownie, set me free, and when she is found I will come and be your
prisoner again. I will bear and suffer any danger for her sake.”

“Lily-Bell is safe,” replied the Brownie; “come, you shall learn the
trial that awaits you.”

Then he led the wondering Fairy from his prison, to a group of tall,
drooping ferns, beneath whose shade a large white lily had been placed,
forming a little tent, within which, on a couch of thick green moss,
lay Lily-Bell in a deep sleep; the sunlight stole softly in, and all
was cool and still.

“You cannot wake her,” said the Brownie, as Thistle folded his arms
tenderly about her. “It is a magic slumber, and she will not wake till
you shall bring hither gifts from the Earth, Air, and Water Spirits. ’T
is a long and weary task, for you have made no friends to help you, and
will have to seek for them alone. This is the trial we shall give you;
and if your love for Lily-Bell be strong enough to keep you from all
cruelty and selfishness, and make you kind and loving as you should be,
she will awake to welcome you, and love you still more fondly than
before.”

Then Thistle, with a last look on the little friend he loved so well,
set forth alone to his long task.


The home of the Earth Spirits was the first to find, and no one would
tell him where to look. So far and wide he wandered, through gloomy
forests and among lonely hills, with none to cheer him when sad and
weary, none to guide him on his way.

On he went, thinking of Lily-Bell, and for her sake bearing all; for in
his quiet prison many gentle feelings and kindly thoughts had sprung up
in his heart, and he now strove to be friends with all, and win for
himself the love and confidence of those whom once he sought to harm
and cruelly destroy.

But few believed him; for they remembered his false promises and evil
deeds, and would not trust him now; so poor Thistle found few to love
or care for him.

Long he wandered, and carefully he sought; but could not find the Earth
Spirits’ home. And when at length he reached the pleasant garden where
he and Lily-Bell first parted, he said within himself,—

“Here I will stay awhile, and try to win by kindly deeds the flowers’
forgiveness for the pain and sorrow I brought them long ago; and they
may learn to love and trust me. So, even if I never find the Spirits, I
shall be worthier of Lily-Bell’s affection if I strive to atone for the
wrong I have done.”

Then he went among the flowers, but they closed their leaves, and
shrank away, trembling with fear; while the birds fled to hide among
the leaves as he passed.

This grieved poor Thistle, and he longed to tell them how changed he
had become; but they would not listen. So he tried to show, by quiet
deeds of kindness, that he meant no harm to them; and soon the
kind-hearted birds pitied the lonely Fairy, and when he came near sang
cheering songs, and dropped ripe berries in his path, for he no longer
broke their eggs, or hurt their little ones.

And when the flowers saw this, and found the once cruel Elf now
watering and tending little buds, feeding hungry insects, and helping
the busy ants to bear their heavy loads, they shared the pity of the
birds, and longed to trust him; but they dared not yet.

He came one day, while wandering through the garden, to the little rose
he had once harmed so sadly. Many buds now bloomed beside her, and her
soft face glowed with motherly pride, as she bent fondly over them. But
when Thistle came, he saw with sorrow how she bade them close their
green curtains, and conceal themselves beneath the leaves, for there
was danger near; and, drooping still more closely over them, she seemed
to wait with trembling fear the cruel Fairy’s coming.

But no rude hand tore her little ones away, no unkind words were
spoken; but a soft shower of dew fell lightly on them, and Thistle,
bending tenderly above them, said,—

“Dear flower, forgive the sorrow I once brought you, and trust me now
for Lily-Bell’s sake. Her gentleness has changed my cruelty to
kindness, and I would gladly repay all for the harm I have done; but
none will love and trust me now.”

Then the little rose looked up, and while the dew-drops shone like
happy tears upon her leaves, she said,—

“I WILL love and trust you, Thistle, for you are indeed much changed.
Make your home among us, and my sister flowers will soon learn to love
you as you deserve. Not for sweet Lily-Bell’s sake, but for your own,
will I become your friend; for you are kind and gentle now, and worthy
of our love. Look up, my little ones, there is no danger near; look up,
and welcome Thistle to our home.”

Then the little buds raised their rosy faces, danced again upon their
stems, and nodded kindly at Thistle, who smiled on them through happy
tears, and kissed the sweet, forgiving rose, who loved and trusted him
when most forlorn and friendless.

But the other flowers wondered among themselves, and Hyacinth said,—

“If Rose-Leaf is his friend, surely we may be; yet still I fear he may
soon grow weary of this gentleness, and be again the wicked Fairy he
once was, and we shall suffer for our kindness to him now.”

“Ah, do not doubt him!” cried warm-hearted little Mignonette; “surely
some good spirit has changed the wicked Thistle into this good little
Elf. See how tenderly he lifts aside the leaves that overshadow pale
Harebell, and listen now how softly he sings as he rocks little
Eglantine to sleep. He has done many friendly things, though none save
Rose-Leaf has been kind to him, and he is very sad. Last night when I
awoke to draw my curtains closer, he sat weeping in the moonlight, so
bitterly, I longed to speak a kindly word to him. Dear sisters, let us
trust him.”

And they all said little Mignonette was right; and, spreading wide
their leaves, they bade him come, and drink their dew, and lie among
the fragrant petals, striving to cheer his sorrow. Thistle told them
all, and, after much whispering together, they said,—

“Yes, we will help you to find the Earth Spirits, for you are striving
to be good, and for love of Lily-Bell we will do much for you.”

So they called a little bright-eyed mole, and said, “Downy-Back, we
have given you a pleasant home among our roots, and you are a grateful
little friend; so will you guide dear Thistle to the Earth Spirits’
home?”

Downy-Back said, “Yes,” and Thistle, thanking the kindly flowers,
followed his little guide, through long, dark galleries, deeper and
deeper into the ground; while a glow-worm flew before to light the way.
On they went, and after a while, reached a path lit up by bright jewels
hung upon the walls. Here Downy-Back, and Glimmer, the glow-worm, left
him, saying,—

“We can lead you no farther; you must now go on alone, and the music of
the Spirits will guide you to their home.”

Then they went quickly up the winding path, and Thistle, guided by the
sweet music, went on alone.

He soon reached a lovely spot, whose golden halls were bright with
jewels, which sparkled brightly, and threw many-colored shadows on the
shining garments of the little Spirits, who danced below to the melody
of soft, silvery bells.

Long Thistle stood watching the brilliant forms that flashed and
sparkled round him; but he missed the flowers and the sunlight, and
rejoiced that he was not an Earth Spirit.

At last they spied him out, and, gladly welcoming him, bade him join in
their dance. But Thistledown was too sad for that, and when he told
them all his story they no longer urged, but sought to comfort him; and
one whom they called little Sparkle (for her crown and robe shone with
the brightest diamonds), said: “You will have to work for us, ere you
can win a gift to show the Brownies; do you see those golden bells that
make such music, as we wave them to and fro? We worked long and hard
ere they were won, and you can win one of those, if you will do the
task we give you.”

And Thistle said, “No task will be too hard for me to do for dear
Lily-Bell’s sake.”

Then they led him to a strange, dark place, lit up with torches; where
troops of Spirits flew busily to and fro, among damp rocks, and through
dark galleries that led far down into the earth. “What do they here?”
asked Thistle.

“I will tell,” replied little Sparkle, “for I once worked here myself.
Some of them watch above the flower-roots, and keep them fresh and
strong; others gather the clear drops that trickle from the damp rocks,
and form a little spring, which, growing ever larger, rises to the
light above, and gushes forth in some green field or lonely forest;
where the wild-birds come to drink, and wood-flowers spread their
thirsty leaves above the clear, cool waves, as they go dancing away,
carrying joy and freshness wherever they go. Others shape the bright
jewels into lovely forms, and make the good-luck pennies which we give
to mortals whom we love. And here you must toil till the golden flower
is won.”

Then Thistle went among the Spirits, and joined in their tasks; he
tended the flower-roots, gathered the water-drops, and formed the
good-luck pennies. Long and hard he worked, and was often sad and
weary, often tempted by unkind and selfish thoughts; but he thought of
Lily-Bell, and strove to be kind and loving as she had been; and soon
the Spirits learned to love the patient Fairy, who had left his home to
toil among them for the sake of his gentle friend.

At length came little Sparkle to him, saying, “You have done enough;
come now, and dance and feast with us, for the golden flower is won.”

But Thistle could not stay, for half his task was not yet done; and he
longed for sunlight and Lily-Bell. So, taking a kind farewell, he
hastened through the torch-lit path up to the light again; and,
spreading his wings, flew over hill and dale till he reached the forest
where Lily-Bell lay sleeping.

It was early morning, and the rosy light shone brightly through the
lily-leaves upon her, as Thistle entered, and laid his first gift at
the Brownie King’s feet.

“You have done well,” said he, “we hear good tidings of you from bird
and flower, and you are truly seeking to repair the evil you have done.
Take now one look at your little friend, and then go forth to seek from
the Air Spirits your second gift.”

Then Thistle said farewell again to Lily-Bell, and flew far and wide
among the clouds, seeking the Air Spirits; but though he wandered till
his weary wings could bear him no longer, it was in vain. So, faint and
sad, he lay down to rest on a broad vine-leaf, that fluttered gently in
the wind; and as he lay, he saw beneath him the home of the kind bees
whom he had so disturbed, and Lily-Bell had helped and comforted.

“I will seek to win their pardon, and show them that I am no longer the
cruel Fairy who so harmed them,” thought Thistle, “and when they become
again my friends, I will ask their help to find the Air Spirits; and if
I deserve it, they will gladly aid me on my way.”

So he flew down into the field below, and hastened busily from flower
to flower, till he had filled a tiny blue-bell with sweet, fresh honey.
Then he stole softly to the hive, and, placing it near the door,
concealed himself to watch. Soon his friend Nimble-Wing came flying
home, and when he spied the little cup, he hummed with joy, and called
his companions around him.

“Surely, some good Elf has placed it here for us,” said they; “let us
bear it to our Queen; it is so fresh and fragrant it will be a fit gift
for her”; and they joyfully took it in, little dreaming who had placed
it there.

So each day Thistle filled a flower-cup, and laid it at the door; and
each day the bees wondered more and more, for many strange things
happened. The field-flowers told of the good spirit who watched above
them, and the birds sang of the same kind little Elf bringing soft moss
for their nests, and food for their hungry young ones; while all around
the hive had grown fairer since the Fairy came.

But the bees never saw him, for he feared he had not yet done enough to
win their forgiveness and friendship; so he lived alone among the
vines, daily bringing them honey, and doing some kindly action.

At length, as he lay sleeping in a flower-bell, a little bee came
wandering by, and knew him for the wicked Thistle; so he called his
friends, and, as they flew murmuring around him, he awoke.

“What shall we do to you, naughty Elf?” said they. “You are in our
power, and we will sting you if you are not still.”

“Let us close the flower-leaves around him and leave him here to
starve,” cried one, who had not yet forgotten all the sorrow Thistle
had caused them long ago.

“No, no, that were very cruel, dear Buzz,” said little Hum; “let us
take him to our Queen, and she will tell us how to show our anger for
the wicked deeds he did. See how bitterly he weeps; be kind to him, he
will not harm us more.”

“You good little Hum!” cried a kind-hearted robin who had hopped near
to listen to the bees. “Dear friends, do you not know that this is the
good Fairy who has dwelt so quietly among us, watching over bird and
blossom, giving joy to all he helps? It is HE who brings the honey-cup
each day to you, and then goes silently away, that you may never know
who works so faithfully for you. Be kind to him, for if he has done
wrong, he has repented of it, as you may see.”

“Can this be naughty Thistle?” said Nimble-Wing.

“Yes, it is I,” said Thistle, “but no longer cruel and unkind. I have
tried to win your love by patient industry. Ah, trust me now, and you
shall see I am not naughty Thistle any more.”

Then the wondering bees led him to their Queen, and when he had told
his tale, and begged their forgiveness, it was gladly given; and all
strove to show him that he was loved and trusted. Then he asked if they
could tell him where the Air Spirits dwelt, for he must not forget dear
Lily-Bell; and to his great joy the Queen said, “Yes,” and bade little
Hum guide Thistle to Cloud-Land.

Little Hum joyfully obeyed; and Thistle followed him, as he flew higher
and higher among the soft clouds, till in the distance they saw a
radiant light.

“There is their home, and I must leave you now, dear Thistle,” said the
little bee; and, bidding him farewell, he flew singing back; while
Thistle, following the light, soon found himself in the Air Spirits’
home.

The sky was gold and purple like an autumn sunset, and long walls of
brilliant clouds lay round him. A rosy light shone through the silver
mist, on gleaming columns and the rainbow roof; soft, fragrant winds
went whispering by, and airy little forms were flitting to and fro.

Long Thistle wondered at the beauty round him; and then he went among
the shining Spirits, told his tale, and asked a gift.

But they answered like the Earth Spirits. “You must serve us first, and
then we will gladly give you a robe of sunlight like our own.”

And then they told him how they wafted flower-seeds over the earth, to
beautify and brighten lonely spots; how they watched above the blossoms
by day, and scattered dews at night, brought sunlight into darkened
places, and soft winds to refresh and cheer.

“These are the things we do,” said they, “and you must aid us for a
time.”

And Thistle gladly went with the lovely Spirits; by day he joined the
sunlight and the breeze in their silent work; by night, with Star-Light
and her sister spirits, he flew over the moon-lit earth, dropping cool
dew upon the folded flowers, and bringing happy dreams to sleeping
mortals. Many a kind deed was done, many a gentle word was spoken; and
each day lighter grew his heart, and stronger his power of giving joy
to others.

At length Star-Light bade him work no more, and gladly gave him the
gift he had won. Then his second task was done, and he flew gayly back
to the green earth and slumbering Lily-Bell.

The silvery moonlight shone upon her, as he came to give his second
gift; and the Brownie spoke more kindly than before.

“One more trial, Thistle, and she will awake. Go bravely forth and win
your last and hardest gift.”


Then with a light heart Thistle journeyed away to the brooks and
rivers, seeking the Water Spirits. But he looked in vain; till,
wandering through the forest where the Brownies took him captive, he
stopped beside the quiet lake.

As he stood here he heard a sound of pain, and, looking in the tall
grass at his side, he saw the dragon-fly whose kindness he once repayed
by pain and sorrow, and who now lay suffering and alone.

Thistle bent tenderly beside him, saying, “Dear Flutter, do not fear
me. I will gladly ease your pain, if you will let me; I am your friend,
and long to show you how I grieve for all the wrong I did you, when you
were so kind to me. Forgive, and let me help and comfort you.”

Then he bound up the broken wing, and spoke so tenderly that Flutter
doubted him no longer, and was his friend again.

Day by day did Thistle watch beside him, making little beds of cool,
fresh moss for him to rest upon, fanning him when he slept, and singing
sweet songs to cheer him when awake. And often when poor Flutter longed
to be dancing once again over the blue waves, the Fairy bore him in his
arms to the lake, and on a broad leaf, with a green flag for a sail,
they floated on the still water; while the dragon-fly’s companions flew
about them, playing merry games.

At length the broken wing was well, and Thistle said he must again seek
the Water Spirits. “I can tell you where to find them,” said Flutter;
“you must follow yonder little brook, and it will lead you to the sea,
where the Spirits dwell. I would gladly do more for you, dear Thistle,
but I cannot, for they live deep beneath the waves. You will find some
kind friend to aid you on your way; and so farewell.”

Thistle followed the little brook, as it flowed through field and
valley, growing ever larger, till it reached the sea. Here the wind
blew freshly, and the great waves rolled and broke at Thistle’s feet,
as he stood upon the shore, watching the billows dancing and sparkling
in the sun.

“How shall I find the Spirits in this great sea, with none to help or
guide me? Yet it is my last task, and for Lily-Bell’s sake I must not
fear or falter now,” said Thistle. So he flew hither and thither over
the sea, looking through the waves. Soon he saw, far below, the
branches of the coral tree.

“They must be here,” thought he, and, folding his wings, he plunged
into the deep, cold sea. But he saw only fearful monsters and dark
shapes that gathered round him; and, trembling with fear, he struggled
up again.

The great waves tossed him to and fro, and cast him bruised and faint
upon the shore. Here he lay weeping bitterly, till a voice beside him
said, “Poor little Elf, what has befallen you? These rough waves are
not fit playmates for so delicate a thing as you. Tell me your sorrow,
and I will comfort you.”

And Thistle, looking up, saw a white sea-bird at his side, who tried
with friendly words to cheer him. So he told all his wanderings, and
how he sought the Sea Spirits.

“Surely, if bee and blossom do their part to help you, birds should aid
you too,” said the Sea-bird. “I will call my friend, the Nautilus, and
he will bear you safely to the Coral Palace where the Spirits dwell.”

So, spreading his great wings, he flew away, and soon Thistle saw a
little boat come dancing over the waves, and wait beside the shore for
him.

In he sprang. Nautilus raised his little sail to the wind, and the
light boat glided swiftly over the blue sea. At last Thistle cried, “I
see lovely arches far below; let me go, it is the Spirits’ home.”

“Nay, close your eyes, and trust to me. I will bear you safely down,”
said Nautilus.

So Thistle closed his eyes, and listened to the murmur of the sea, as
they sank slowly through the waves. The soft sound lulled him to sleep,
and when he awoke the boat was gone, and he stood among the Water
Spirits, in their strange and lovely home.

Lofty arches of snow-white coral bent above him, and the walls of
brightly tinted shells were wreathed with lovely sea-flowers, and the
sunlight shining on the waves cast silvery shadows on the ground, where
sparkling stones glowed in the sand. A cool, fresh wind swept through
the waving garlands of bright sea-moss, and the distant murmur of
dashing waves came softly on the air. Soon troops of graceful Spirits
flitted by, and when they found the wondering Elf, they gathered round
him, bringing pearl-shells heaped with precious stones, and all the
rare, strange gifts that lie beneath the sea. But Thistle wished for
none of these, and when his tale was told, the kindly Spirits pitied
him; and little Pearl sighed, as she told him of the long and weary
task he must perform, ere he could win a crown of snow-white pearls
like those they wore. But Thistle had gained strength and courage in
his wanderings, and did not falter now, when they led him to a place
among the coral-workers, and told him he must labor here, till the
spreading branches reached the light and air, through the waves that
danced above.

With a patient hope that he might yet be worthy of Lily-Bell, the Fairy
left the lovely spirits and their pleasant home, to toil among the
coral-builders, where all was strange and dim. Long, long, he worked;
but still the waves rolled far above them, and his task was not yet
done; and many bitter tears poor Thistle shed, and sadly he pined for
air and sunlight, the voice of birds, and breath of flowers. Often,
folded in the magic garments which the Spirits gave him, that he might
pass unharmed among the fearful creatures dwelling there, he rose to
the surface of the sea, and, gliding through the waves, gazed longingly
upon the hills, now looking blue and dim so far away, or watched the
flocks of summer birds, journeying to a warmer land; and they brought
sad memories of green old forests, and sunny fields, to the lonely
little Fairy floating on the great, wild sea.

Day after day went by, and slowly Thistle’s task drew towards an end.
Busily toiled the coral-workers, but more busily toiled he; insect and
Spirit daily wondered more and more, at the industry and patience of
the silent little Elf, who had a friendly word for all, though he never
joined them in their sport.

Higher and higher grew the coral-boughs, and lighter grew the Fairy’s
heart, while thoughts of dear Lily-Bell cheered him on, as day by day
he steadily toiled; and when at length the sun shone on his work, and
it was done, he stayed but to take the garland he had won, and to thank
the good Spirits for their love and care. Then up through the cold,
blue waves he swiftly glided, and, shaking the bright drops from his
wings, soared singing up to the sunny sky.


On through the fragrant air went Thistle, looking with glad face upon
the fair, fresh earth below, where flowers looked smiling up, and green
trees bowed their graceful heads as if to welcome him. Soon the forest
where Lily-Bell lay sleeping rose before him, and as he passed along
the cool, dim wood-paths, never had they seemed so fair.

But when he came where his little friend had slept, it was no longer
the dark, silent spot where he last saw her. Garlands hung from every
tree, and the fairest flowers filled the air with their sweet breath.
Bird’s gay voices echoed far and wide, and the little brook went
singing by, beneath the arching ferns that bent above it; green leaves
rustled in the summer wind, and the air was full of music. But the
fairest sight was Lily-Bell, as she lay on the couch of velvet moss
that Fairy hands had spread. The golden flower lay beside her, and the
glittering robe was folded round her little form. The warmest sunlight
fell upon her, and the softest breezes lifted her shining hair.

Happy tears fell fast, as Thistle folded his arms around her, crying,
“O Lily-Bell, dear Lily-Bell, awake! I have been true to you, and now
my task is done.”

Then, with a smile, Lily-Bell awoke, and looked with wondering eyes
upon the beauty that had risen round her.

“Dear Thistle, what mean these fair things, and why are we in this
lovely place?”

“Listen, Lily-Bell,” said the Brownie King, as he appeared beside her.
And then he told all that Thistle had done to show his love for her;
how he had wandered far and wide to seek the Fairy gifts, and toiled
long and hard to win them; how he had been loving, true, and tender,
when most lonely and forsaken.

“Bird, bee, and blossom have forgiven him, and none is more loved and
trusted now by all, than the once cruel Thistle,” said the King, as he
bent down to the happy Elf, who bowed low before him.

“You have learned the beauty of a gentle, kindly heart, dear Thistle;
and you are now worthy to become the friend of her for whom you have
done so much. Place the crown upon her head, for she is Queen of all
the Forest Fairies now.”

And as the crown shone on the head that Lily-Bell bent down on
Thistle’s breast, the forest seemed alive with little forms, who sprang
from flower and leaf, and gathered round her, bringing gifts for their
new Queen.

“If I am Queen, then you are King, dear Thistle,” said the Fairy. “Take
the crown, and I will have a wreath of flowers. You have toiled and
suffered for my sake, and you alone should rule over these little Elves
whose love you have won.”

“Keep your crown, Lily-Bell, for yonder come the Spirits with their
gifts to Thistle,” said the Brownie. And, as he pointed with his wand,
out from among the mossy roots of an old tree came trooping the Earth
Spirits, their flower-bells ringing softly as they came, and their
jewelled garments glittering in the sun. On to where Thistledown stood
beneath the shadow of the flowers, with Lily-Bell beside him, went the
Spirits; and then forth sprang little Sparkle, waving a golden flower,
whose silvery music filled the air. “Dear Thistle,” said the shining
Spirit, “what you toiled so faithfully to win for another, let us offer
now as a token of our love for you.”

As she ceased, down through the air came floating bands of lovely Air
Spirits, bringing a shining robe, and they too told their love for the
gentle Fairy who had dwelt with them.

Then softly on the breeze came distant music, growing ever nearer, till
over the rippling waves came the singing Water Spirits, in their boats
of many-colored shells; and as they placed their glittering crown on
Thistle’s head, loud rang the flowers, and joyously sang the birds,
while all the Forest Fairies cried, with silvery voices, “Lily-Bell and
Thistledown! Long live our King and Queen!”

“Have you a tale for us too, dear Violet-Eye?” said the Queen, as
Zephyr ceased. The little Elf thus named looked from among the
flower-leaves where she sat, and with a smile replied, “As I was
weaving garlands in the field, I heard a primrose tell this tale to her
friend Golden-Rod.”



LITTLE BUD.


In a great forest, high up among the green boughs, lived Bird
Brown-Breast, and his bright-eyed little mate. They were now very
happy; their home was done, the four blue eggs lay in the soft nest,
and the little wife sat still and patient on them, while the husband
sang, and told her charming tales, and brought her sweet berries and
little worms.

Things went smoothly on, till one day she found in the nest a little
white egg, with a golden band about it.

“My friend,” cried she, “come and see! Where can this fine egg have
come from? My four are here, and this also; what think you of it?”

The husband shook his head gravely, and said, “Be not alarmed, my love;
it is doubtless some good Fairy who has given us this, and we shall
find some gift within; do not let us touch it, but do you sit carefully
upon it, and we shall see in time what has been sent us.”

So they said nothing about it, and soon their home had four little
chirping children; and then the white egg opened, and, behold, a little
maiden lay singing within. Then how amazed were they, and how they
welcomed her, as she lay warm beneath the mother’s wing, and how the
young birds did love her.

Great joy was in the forest, and proud were the parents of their
family, and still more of the little one who had come to them; while
all the neighbors flocked in, to see Dame Brown-Breast’s little child.
And the tiny maiden talked to them, and sang so merrily, that they
could have listened for ever. Soon she was the joy of the whole forest,
dancing from tree to tree, making every nest her home, and none were
ever so welcome as little Bud; and so they lived right merrily in the
green old forest.

The father now had much to do to supply his family with food, and
choice morsels did he bring little Bud. The wild fruits were her food,
the fresh dew in the flower-cups her drink, while the green leaves
served her for little robes; and thus she found garments in the flowers
of the field, and a happy home with Mother Brown-Breast; and all in the
wood, from the stately trees to the little mosses in the turf, were
friends to the merry child.

And each day she taught the young birds sweet songs, and as their gay
music rang through the old forest, the stern, dark pines ceased their
solemn waving, that they might hear the soft sounds stealing through
the dim wood-paths, and mortal children came to listen, saying softly,
“Hear the flowers sing, and touch them not, for the Fairies are here.”

Then came a band of sad little Elves to Bud, praying that they might
hear the sweet music; and when she took them by the hand, and spoke
gently to them, they wept and said sadly, when she asked them whence
they came,—

“We dwelt once in Fairy-Land, and O how happy were we then! But alas!
we were not worthy of so fair a home, and were sent forth into the cold
world. Look at our robes, they are like the withered leaves; our wings
are dim, our crowns are gone, and we lead sad, lonely lives in this
dark forest. Let us stay with you; your gay music sounds like Fairy
songs, and you have such a friendly way with you, and speak so gently
to us. It is good to be near one so lovely and so kind; and you can
tell us how we may again become fair and innocent. Say we may stay with
you, kind little maiden.”

And Bud said, “Yes,” and they stayed; but her kind little heart was
grieved that they wept so sadly, and all she could say could not make
them happy; till at last she said,—

“Do not weep, and I will go to Queen Dew-Drop, and beseech her to let
you come back. I will tell her that you are repentant, and will do
anything to gain her love again; that you are sad, and long to be
forgiven. This will I say, and more, and trust she will grant my
prayer.”

“She will not say no to you, dear Bud,” said the poor little Fairies;
“she will love you as we do, and if we can but come again to our lost
home, we cannot give you thanks enough. Go, Bud, and if there be power
in Fairy gifts, you shall be as happy as our hearts’ best love can make
you.”

The tidings of Bud’s departure flew through the forest, and all her
friends came to say farewell, as with the morning sun she would go; and
each brought some little gift, for the land of Fairies was far away,
and she must journey long.

“Nay, you shall not go on your feet, my child,” said Mother
Brown-Breast; “your friend Golden-Wing shall carry you. Call him
hither, that I may seat you rightly, for if you should fall off my
heart would break.”

Then up came Golden-Wing, and Bud was safely seated on the cushion of
violet-leaves; and it was really charming to see her merry little face,
peeping from under the broad brim of her cow-slip hat, as her butterfly
steed stood waving his bright wings in the sunlight. Then came the bee
with his yellow honey-bags, which he begged she would take, and the
little brown spider that lived under the great leaves brought a veil
for her hat, and besought her to wear it, lest the sun should shine too
brightly; while the ant came bringing a tiny strawberry, lest she
should miss her favorite fruit. The mother gave her good advice, and
the papa stood with his head on one side, and his round eyes twinkling
with delight, to think that his little Bud was going to Fairy-Land.

Then they all sang gayly together, till she passed out of sight over
the hills, and they saw her no more.


And now Bud left the old forest far behind her. Golden-Wing bore her
swiftly along, and she looked down on the green mountains, and the
peasant’s cottages, that stood among overshadowing trees; and the earth
looked bright, with its broad, blue rivers winding through soft
meadows, the singing birds, and flowers, who kept their bright eyes
ever on the sky.

And she sang gayly as they floated in the clear air, while her friend
kept time with his waving wings, and ever as they went along all grew
fairer; and thus they came to Fairy-Land.

As Bud passed through the gates, she no longer wondered that the exiled
Fairies wept and sorrowed for the lovely home they had lost. Bright
clouds floated in the sunny sky, casting a rainbow light on the Fairy
palaces below, where the Elves were dancing; while the low, sweet
voices of the singing flowers sounded softly through the fragrant air,
and mingled with the music of the rippling waves, as they flowed on
beneath the blossoming vines that drooped above them.

All was bright and beautiful; but kind little Bud would not linger, for
the forms of the weeping Fairies were before her; and though the
blossoms nodded gayly on their stems to welcome her, and the soft winds
kissed her cheek, she would not stay, but on to the Flower Palace she
went, into a pleasant hall whose walls were formed of crimson roses,
amid whose leaves sat little Elves, making sweet music on their harps.
When they saw Bud, they gathered round her, and led her through the
flower-wreathed arches to a group of the most beautiful Fairies, who
were gathered about a stately lily, in whose fragrant cup sat one whose
purple robe and glittering crown told she was their Queen.

Bud knelt before her, and, while tears streamed down her little face,
she told her errand, and pleaded earnestly that the exiled Fairies
might be forgiven, and not be left to pine far from their friends and
kindred. And as she prayed, many wept with her; and when she ceased,
and waited for her answer, many knelt beside her, praying forgiveness
for the unhappy Elves.

With tearful eyes, Queen Dew-Drop replied,—

“Little maiden, your prayer has softened my heart. They shall not be
left sorrowing and alone, nor shall you go back without a kindly word
to cheer and comfort them. We will pardon their fault, and when they
can bring hither a perfect Fairy crown, robe, and wand, they shall be
again received as children of their loving Queen. The task is hard, for
none but the best and purest can form the Fairy garments; yet with
patience they may yet restore their robes to their former brightness.
Farewell, good little maiden; come with them, for but for you they
would have dwelt for ever without the walls of Fairy-Land.”

“Good speed to you, and farewell,” cried they all, as, with loving
messages to their poor friends, they bore her to the gates.


Day after day toiled little Bud, cheering the Fairies, who, angry and
disappointed, would not listen to her gentle words, but turned away and
sat alone weeping. They grieved her kind heart with many cruel words;
but patiently she bore with them, and when they told her they could
never perform so hard a task, and must dwell for ever in the dark
forest, she answered gently, that the snow-white lily must be planted,
and watered with repentant tears, before the robe of innocence could be
won; that the sun of love must shine in their hearts, before the light
could return to their dim crowns, and deeds of kindness must be
performed, ere the power would come again to their now useless wands.

Then they planted the lilies; but they soon drooped and died, and no
light came to their crowns. They did no gentle deeds, but cared only
for themselves; and when they found their labor was in vain, they tried
no longer, but sat weeping. Bud, with ceaseless toil and patient care,
tended the lilies, which bloomed brightly, the crowns grew bright, and
in her hands the wands had power over birds and blossoms, for she was
striving to give happiness to others, forgetful of herself. And the
idle Fairies, with thankful words, took the garments from her, and then
with Bud went forth to Fairy-Land, and stood with beating hearts before
the gates; where crowds of Fairy friends came forth to welcome them.

But when Queen Dew-Drop touched them with her wand, as they passed in,
the light faded from their crowns, their robes became like withered
leaves, and their wands were powerless.

Amid the tears of all the Fairies, the Queen led them to the gates, and
said,—

“Farewell! It is not in my power to aid you; innocence and love are not
within your hearts, and were it not for this untiring little maiden,
who has toiled while you have wept, you never would have entered your
lost home. Go and strive again, for till all is once more fair and
pure, I cannot call you mine.”

“Farewell!” sang the weeping Fairies, as the gates closed on their
outcast friends; who, humbled and broken-hearted, gathered around Bud;
and she, with cheering words, guided them back to the forest.


Time passed on, and the Fairies had done nothing to gain their lovely
home again. They wept no longer, but watched little Bud, as she daily
tended the flowers, restoring their strength and beauty, or with gentle
words flew from nest to nest, teaching the little birds to live happily
together; and wherever she went blessings fell, and loving hearts were
filled with gratitude.

Then, one by one, the Elves secretly did some little work of kindness,
and found a quiet joy come back to repay them. Flowers looked lovingly
up as they passed, birds sang to cheer them when sad thoughts made them
weep. And soon little Bud found out their gentle deeds, and her
friendly words gave them new strength. So day after day they followed
her, and like a band of guardian spirits they flew far and wide,
carrying with them joy and peace.

And not only birds and flowers blessed them, but human beings also; for
with tender hands they guided little children from danger, and kept
their young hearts free from evil thoughts; they whispered soothing
words to the sick, and brought sweet odors and fair flowers to their
lonely rooms. They sent lovely visions to the old and blind, to make
their hearts young and bright with happy thoughts.

But most tenderly did they watch over the poor and sorrowing, and many
a poor mother blessed the unseen hands that laid food before her hungry
little ones, and folded warm garments round their naked limbs. Many a
poor man wondered at the fair flowers that sprang up in his little
garden-plot, cheering him with their bright forms, and making his
dreary home fair with their loveliness, and looked at his once barren
field, where now waved the golden corn, turning its broad leaves to the
warm sun, and promising a store of golden ears to give him food; while
the care-worn face grew bright, and the troubled heart filled with
gratitude towards the invisible spirits who had brought him such joy.

Thus time passed on, and though the exiled Fairies longed often for
their home, still, knowing they did not deserve it, they toiled on,
hoping one day to see the friends they had lost; while the joy of their
own hearts made their life full of happiness.

One day came little Bud to them, saying,—

“Listen, dear friends. I have a hard task to offer you. It is a great
sacrifice for you light loving Fairies to dwell through the long winter
in the dark, cold earth, watching over the flower roots, to keep them
free from the little grubs and worms that seek to harm them. But in the
sunny Spring when they bloom again, their love and gratitude will give
you happy homes among their bright leaves.

“It is a wearisome task, and I can give you no reward for all your
tender care, but the blessings of the gentle flowers you will have
saved from death. Gladly would I aid you; but my winged friends are
preparing for their journey to warmer lands, and I must help them teach
their little ones to fly, and see them safely on their way. Then,
through the winter, must I seek the dwellings of the poor and
suffering, comfort the sick and lonely, and give hope and courage to
those who in their poverty are led astray. These things must I do; but
when the flowers bloom again I will be with you, to welcome back our
friends from over the sea.”

Then, with tears, the Fairies answered, “Ah, good little Bud, you have
taken the hardest task yourself, and who will repay you for all your
deeds of tenderness and mercy in the great world? Should evil befall
you, our hearts would break. We will labor trustingly in the earth, and
thoughts of you shall cheer us on; for without you we had been
worthless beings, and never known the joy that kindly actions bring.
Yes, dear Bud, we will gladly toil among the roots, that the fair
flowers may wear their gayest robes to welcome you.”

Then deep in the earth the Fairies dwelt, and no frost or snow could
harm the blossoms they tended. Every little seed was laid in the soft
earth, watered, and watched. Tender roots were folded in withered
leaves, that no chilling drops might reach them; and safely dreamed the
flowers, till summer winds should call them forth; while lighter grew
each Fairy heart, as every gentle deed was tenderly performed.

At length the snow was gone, and they heard little voices calling them
to come up; but patiently they worked, till seed and root were green
and strong. Then, with eager feet, they hastened to the earth above,
where, over hill and valley, bright flowers and budding trees smiled in
the warm sunlight, blossoms bent lovingly before them, and rang their
colored bells, till the fragrant air was full of music; while the
stately trees waved their great arms above them, and scattered soft
leaves at their feet.

Then came the merry birds, making the wood alive with their gay voices,
calling to one another, as they flew among the vines, building their
little homes. Long waited the Elves, and at last she came with Father
Brown-Breast. Happy days passed; and summer flowers were in their
fullest beauty, when Bud bade the Fairies come with her.


Mounted on bright-winged butterflies, they flew over forest and meadow,
till with joyful eyes they saw the flower-crowned walls of Fairy-Land.

Before the gates they stood, and soon troops of loving Elves came forth
to meet them. And on through the sunny gardens they went, into the Lily
Hall, where, among the golden stamens of a graceful flower, sat the
Queen; while on the broad, green leaves around it stood the brighteyed
little maids of honor.

Then, amid the deep silence, little Bud, leading the Fairies to the
throne, said,—

“Dear Queen, I here bring back your subjects, wiser for their sorrow,
better for their hard trial; and now might any Queen be proud of them,
and bow to learn from them that giving joy and peace to others brings
it fourfold to us, bearing a double happiness in the blessings to those
we help. Through the dreary months, when they might have dwelt among
fair Southern flowers, beneath a smiling sky, they toiled in the dark
and silent earth, filling the hearts of the gentle Flower Spirits with
grateful love, seeking no reward but the knowledge of their own good
deeds, and the joy they always bring. This they have done unmurmuringly
and alone; and now, far and wide, flower blessings fall upon them, and
the summer winds bear the glad tidings unto those who droop in sorrow,
and new joy and strength it brings, as they look longingly for the
friends whose gentle care hath brought such happiness to their fair
kindred.

“Are they not worthy of your love, dear Queen? Have they not won their
lovely home? Say they are pardoned, and you have gained the love of
hearts pure as the snow-white robes now folded over them.”

As Bud ceased, she touched the wondering Fairies with her wand, and the
dark faded garments fell away; and beneath, the robes of lily-leaves
glittered pure and spotless in the sun-light. Then, while happy tears
fell, Queen Dew-Drop placed the bright crowns on the bowed heads of the
kneeling Fairies, and laid before them the wands their own good deeds
had rendered powerful.

They turned to thank little Bud for all her patient love, but she was
gone; and high above, in the clear air, they saw the little form
journeying back to the quiet forest.

She needed no reward but the joy she had given. The Fairy hearts were
pure again, and her work was done; yet all Fairy-Land had learned a
lesson from gentle little Bud.


“Now, little Sunbeam, what have you to tell us?” said the Queen,
looking down on a bright-eyed Elf, who sat half hidden in the deep moss
at her feet.

“I too, like Star-Twinkle, have nothing but a song to offer,” replied
the Fairy; and then, while the nightingale’s sweet voice mingled with
her own, she sang,—



CLOVER-BLOSSOM.


In a quiet, pleasant meadow,
Beneath a summer sky,
Where green old trees their branches waved,
And winds went singing by;
Where a little brook went rippling
So musically low,
And passing clouds cast shadows
On the waving grass below;
Where low, sweet notes of brooding birds
Stole out on the fragrant air,
And golden sunlight shone undimmed
On all most fresh and fair;—
There bloomed a lovely sisterhood
Of happy little flowers,
Together in this pleasant home,
Through quiet summer hours.
No rude hand came to gather them,
No chilling winds to blight;
Warm sunbeams smiled on them by day,
And soft dews fell at night.
So here, along the brook-side,
Beneath the green old trees,
The flowers dwelt among their friends,
The sunbeams and the breeze.


One morning, as the flowers awoke,
Fragrant, and fresh, and fair,
A little worm came creeping by,
And begged a shelter there.
“Ah! pity and love me,” sighed the worm,
“I am lonely, poor, and weak;
A little spot for a resting-place,
Dear flowers, is all I seek.
I am not fair, and have dwelt unloved
By butterfly, bird, and bee.
They little knew that in this dark form
Lay the beauty they yet may see.
Then let me lie in the deep green moss,
And weave my little tomb,
And sleep my long, unbroken sleep
Till Spring’s first flowers come.
Then will I come in a fairer dress,
And your gentle care repay
By the grateful love of the humble worm;
Kind flowers, O let me stay!”
But the wild rose showed her little thorns,
While her soft face glowed with pride;
The violet hid beneath the drooping ferns,
And the daisy turned aside.
Little Houstonia scornfully laughed,
As she danced on her slender stem;
While the cowslip bent to the rippling waves,
And whispered the tale to them.
A blue-eyed grass looked down on the worm,
As it silently turned away,
And cried, “Thou wilt harm our delicate leaves,
And therefore thou canst not stay.”
Then a sweet, soft voice, called out from far,
“Come hither, poor worm, to me;
The sun lies warm in this quiet spot,
And I’ll share my home with thee.”
The wondering flowers looked up to see
Who had offered the worm a home:
’T was a clover-blossom, whose fluttering leaves
Seemed beckoning him to come;
It dwelt in a sunny little nook,
Where cool winds rustled by,
And murmuring bees and butterflies came,
On the flower’s breast to lie.
Down through the leaves the sunlight stole,
And seemed to linger there,
As if it loved to brighten the home
Of one so sweet and fair.
Its rosy face smiled kindly down,
As the friendless worm drew near;
And its low voice, softly whispering, said
“Poor thing, thou art welcome here;
Close at my side, in the soft green moss,
Thou wilt find a quiet bed,
Where thou canst softly sleep till Spring,
With my leaves above thee spread.
I pity and love thee, friendless worm,
Though thou art not graceful or fair;
For many a dark, unlovely form,
Hath a kind heart dwelling there;
No more o’er the green and pleasant earth,
Lonely and poor, shalt thou roam,
For a loving friend hast thou found in me,
And rest in my little home.”
Then, deep in its quiet mossy bed,
Sheltered from sun and shower,
The grateful worm spun its winter tomb,
In the shadow of the flower.
And Clover guarded well its rest,
Till Autumn’s leaves were sere,
Till all her sister flowers were gone,
And her winter sleep drew near.
Then her withered leaves were softly spread
O’er the sleeping worm below,
Ere the faithful little flower lay
Beneath the winter snow.


Spring came again, and the flowers rose
From their quiet winter graves,
And gayly danced on their slender stems,
And sang with the rippling waves.
Softly the warm winds kissed their cheeks;
Brightly the sunbeams fell,
As, one by one, they came again
In their summer homes to dwell.
And little Clover bloomed once more,
Rosy, and sweet, and fair,
And patiently watched by the mossy bed,
For the worm still slumbered there.
Then her sister flowers scornfully cried,
As they waved in the summer air,
“The ugly worm was friendless and poor;
Little Clover, why shouldst thou care?
Then watch no more, nor dwell alone,
Away from thy sister flowers;
Come, dance and feast, and spend with us
These pleasant summer hours.
We pity thee, foolish little flower,
To trust what the false worm said;
He will not come in a fairer dress,
For he lies in the green moss dead.”
But little Clover still watched on,
Alone in her sunny home;
She did not doubt the poor worm’s truth,
And trusted he would come.


At last the small cell opened wide,
And a glittering butterfly,
From out the moss, on golden wings,
Soared up to the sunny sky.
Then the wondering flowers cried aloud,
“Clover, thy watch was vain;
He only sought a shelter here,
And never will come again.”
And the unkind flowers danced for joy,
When they saw him thus depart;
For the love of a beautiful butterfly
Is dear to a flower’s heart.
They feared he would stay in Clover’s home,
And her tender care repay;
So they danced for joy, when at last he rose
And silently flew away.
Then little Clover bowed her head,
While her soft tears fell like dew;
For her gentle heart was grieved, to find
That her sisters’ words were true,
And the insect she had watched so long
When helpless, poor, and lone,
Thankless for all her faithful care,
On his golden wings had flown.
But as she drooped, in silent grief,
She heard little Daisy cry,
“O sisters, look! I see him now,
Afar in the sunny sky;
He is floating back from Cloud-Land now,
Borne by the fragrant air.
Spread wide your leaves, that he may choose
The flower he deems most fair.”
Then the wild rose glowed with a deeper blush,
As she proudly waved on her stem;
The Cowslip bent to the clear blue waves,
And made her mirror of them.
Little Houstonia merrily danced,
And spread her white leaves wide;
While Daisy whispered her joy and hope,
As she stood by her gay friends’ side.
Violet peeped from the tall green ferns,
And lifted her soft blue eye
To watch the glittering form, that shone
Afar in the summer sky.
They thought no more of the ugly worm,
Who once had wakened their scorn;
But looked and longed for the butterfly now,
As the soft wind bore him on.


Nearer and nearer the bright form came,
And fairer the blossoms grew;
Each welcomed him, in her sweetest tones;
Each offered her honey and dew.
But in vain did they beckon, and smile, and call,
And wider their leaves unclose;
The glittering form still floated on,
By Violet, Daisy, and Rose.
Lightly it flew to the pleasant home
Of the flower most truly fair,
On Clover’s breast he softly lit,
And folded his bright wings there.
“Dear flower,” the butterfly whispered low,
“Long hast thou waited for me;
Now I am come, and my grateful love
Shall brighten thy home for thee;
Thou hast loved and cared for me, when alone,
Hast watched o’er me long and well;
And now will I strive to show the thanks
The poor worm could not tell.
Sunbeam and breeze shall come to thee,
And the coolest dews that fall;
Whate’er a flower can wish is thine,
For thou art worthy all.
And the home thou shared with the friendless worm
The butterfly’s home shall be;
And thou shalt find, dear, faithful flower,
A loving friend in me.”
Then, through the long, bright summer hours
Through sunshine and through shower,
Together in their happy home
Dwelt butterfly and flower.


“Ah, that is very lovely,” cried the Elves, gathering round little
Sunbeam as she ceased, to place a garland in her hair and praise her
song.

“Now,” said the Queen, “call hither Moon-light and Summer-Wind, for
they have seen many pleasant things in their long wanderings, and will
gladly tell us them.”

“Most joyfully will we do our best, dear Queen,” said the Elves, as
they folded their wings beside her.

“Now, Summer-Wind,” said Moonlight, “till your turn comes, do you sit
here and fan me while I tell this tale of



LITTLE ANNIE’S DREAM;
OR,
THE FAIRY FLOWER.


In a large and pleasant garden sat little Annie all alone, and she
seemed very sad, for drops that were not dew fell fast upon the flowers
beside her, who looked wonderingly up, and bent still nearer, as if
they longed to cheer and comfort her. The warm wind lifted up her
shining hair and softly kissed her cheek, while the sunbeams, looking
most kindly in her face, made little rainbows in her tears, and
lingered lovingly about her. But Annie paid no heed to sun, or wind, or
flower; still the bright tears fell, and she forgot all but her sorrow.

“Little Annie, tell me why you weep,” said a low voice in her ear; and,
looking up, the child beheld a little figure standing on a vine-leaf at
her side; a lovely face smiled on her, from amid bright locks of hair,
and shining wings were folded on a white and glittering robe, that
fluttered in the wind.

“Who are you, lovely little thing?” cried Annie, smiling through her
tears.

“I am a Fairy, little child, and am come to help and comfort you; now
tell me why you weep, and let me be your friend,” replied the spirit,
as she smiled more kindly still on Annie’s wondering face.

“And are you really, then, a little Elf, such as I read of in my fairy
books? Do you ride on butterflies, sleep in flower-cups, and live among
the clouds?”

“Yes, all these things I do, and many stranger still, that all your
fairy books can never tell; but now, dear Annie,” said the Fairy,
bending nearer, “tell me why I found no sunshine on your face; why are
these great drops shining on the flowers, and why do you sit alone when
BIRD and BEE are calling you to play?”

“Ah, you will not love me any more if I should tell you all,” said
Annie, while the tears began to fall again; “I am not happy, for I am
not good; how shall I learn to be a patient, gentle child? good little
Fairy, will you teach me how?”

“Gladly will I aid you, Annie, and if you truly wish to be a happy
child, you first must learn to conquer many passions that you cherish
now, and make your heart a home for gentle feelings and happy thoughts;
the task is hard, but I will give this fairy flower to help and counsel
you. Bend hither, that I may place it in your breast; no hand can take
it hence, till I unsay the spell that holds it there.”

As thus she spoke, the Elf took from her bosom a graceful flower, whose
snow-white leaves shone with a strange, soft light. “This is a fairy
flower,” said the Elf, “invisible to every eye save yours; now listen
while I tell its power, Annie. When your heart is filled with loving
thoughts, when some kindly deed has been done, some duty well
performed, then from the flower there will arise the sweetest, softest
fragrance, to reward and gladden you. But when an unkind word is on
your lips, when a selfish, angry feeling rises in your heart, or an
unkind, cruel deed is to be done, then will you hear the soft, low
chime of the flower-bell; listen to its warning, let the word remain
unspoken, the deed undone, and in the quiet joy of your own heart, and
the magic perfume of your bosom flower, you will find a sweet reward.”

“O kind and generous Fairy, how can I ever thank you for this lovely
gift!” cried Annie. “I will be true, and listen to my little bell
whenever it may ring. But shall I never see YOU more? Ah! if you would
only stay with me, I should indeed be good.”

“I cannot stay now, little Annie,” said the Elf, “but when another
Spring comes round, I shall be here again, to see how well the fairy
gift has done its work. And now farewell, dear child; be faithful to
yourself, and the magic flower will never fade.”

Then the gentle Fairy folded her little arms around Annie’s neck, laid
a soft kiss on her cheek, and, spreading wide her shining wings, flew
singing up among the white clouds floating in the sky.

And little Annie sat among her flowers, and watched with wondering joy
the fairy blossom shining on her breast.

The pleasant days of Spring and Summer passed away, and in little
Annie’s garden Autumn flowers were blooming everywhere, with each day’s
sun and dew growing still more beautiful and bright; but the fairy
flower, that should have been the loveliest of all, hung pale and
drooping on little Annie’s bosom; its fragrance seemed quite gone, and
the clear, low music of its warning chime rang often in her ear.

When first the Fairy placed it there, she had been pleased with her new
gift, and for a while obeyed the fairy bell, and often tried to win
some fragrance from the flower, by kind and pleasant words and actions;
then, as the Fairy said, she found a sweet reward in the strange, soft
perfume of the magic blossom, as it shone upon her breast; but selfish
thoughts would come to tempt her, she would yield, and unkind words
fell from her lips; and then the flower drooped pale and scentless, the
fairy bell rang mournfully, Annie would forget her better resolutions,
and be again a selfish, wilful little child.

At last she tried no longer, but grew angry with the faithful flower,
and would have torn it from her breast; but the fairy spell still held
it fast, and all her angry words but made it ring a louder, sadder
peal. Then she paid no heed to the silvery music sounding in her ear,
and each day grew still more unhappy, discontented, and unkind; so,
when the Autumn days came round, she was no better for the gentle
Fairy’s gift, and longed for Spring, that it might be returned; for now
the constant echo of the mournful music made her very sad.

One sunny morning, when the fresh, cool Winds were blowing, and not a
cloud was in the sky, little Annie walked among her flowers, looking
carefully into each, hoping thus to find the Fairy, who alone could
take the magic blossom from her breast. But she lifted up their
drooping leaves, peeped into their dewy cups in vain; no little Elf lay
hidden there, and she turned sadly from them all, saying, “I will go
out into the fields and woods, and seek her there. I will not listen to
this tiresome music more, nor wear this withered flower longer.” So out
into the fields she went, where the long grass rustled as she passed,
and timid birds looked at her from their nests; where lovely
wild-flowers nodded in the wind, and opened wide their fragrant leaves,
to welcome in the murmuring bees, while butterflies, like winged
flowers, danced and glittered in the sun.

Little Annie looked, searched, and asked them all if any one could tell
her of the Fairy whom she sought; but the birds looked wonderingly at
her with their soft, bright eyes, and still sang on; the flowers nodded
wisely on their stems, but did not speak, while butterfly and bee
buzzed and fluttered away, one far too busy, the other too idle, to
stay and tell her what she asked.

Then she went through broad fields of yellow grain, that waved around
her like a golden forest; here crickets chirped, grasshoppers leaped,
and busy ants worked, but they could not tell her what she longed to
know.

“Now will I go among the hills,” said Annie, “she may be there.” So up
and down the green hill-sides went her little feet; long she searched
and vainly she called; but still no Fairy came. Then by the river-side
she went, and asked the gay dragon-flies, and the cool white lilies, if
the Fairy had been there; but the blue waves rippled on the white sand
at her feet, and no voice answered her.

Then into the forest little Annie went; and as she passed along the
dim, cool paths, the wood-flowers smiled up in her face, gay squirrels
peeped at her, as they swung amid the vines, and doves cooed softly as
she wandered by; but none could answer her. So, weary with her long and
useless search, she sat amid the ferns, and feasted on the rosy
strawberries that grew beside her, watching meanwhile the crimson
evening clouds that glowed around the setting sun.

The night-wind rustled through the boughs, rocking the flowers to
sleep; the wild birds sang their evening hymns, and all within the wood
grew calm and still; paler and paler grew the purple light, lower and
lower drooped little Annie’s head, the tall ferns bent to shield her
from the dew, the whispering pines sang a soft lullaby; and when the
Autumn moon rose up, her silver light shone on the child, where,
pillowed on green moss, she lay asleep amid the wood-flowers in the dim
old forest.

And all night long beside her stood the Fairy she had sought, and by
elfin spell and charm sent to the sleeping child this dream.

Little Annie dreamed she sat in her own garden, as she had often sat
before, with angry feelings in her heart, and unkind words upon her
lips. The magic flower was ringing its soft warning, but she paid no
heed to anything, save her own troubled thoughts; thus she sat, when
suddenly a low voice whispered in her ear,—

“Little Annie, look and see the evil things that you are cherishing; I
will clothe in fitting shapes the thoughts and feelings that now dwell
within your heart, and you shall see how great their power becomes,
unless you banish them for ever.”

Then Annie saw, with fear and wonder, that the angry words she uttered
changed to dark, unlovely forms, each showing plainly from what fault
or passion it had sprung. Some of the shapes had scowling faces and
bright, fiery eyes; these were the spirits of Anger. Others, with
sullen, anxious looks, seemed gathering up all they could reach, and
Annie saw that the more they gained, the less they seemed to have; and
these she knew were shapes of Selfishness. Spirits of Pride were there,
who folded their shadowy garments round them, and turned scornfully
away from all the rest. These and many others little Annie saw, which
had come from her own heart, and taken form before her eyes.

When first she saw them, they were small and weak; but as she looked
they seemed to grow and gather strength, and each gained a strange
power over her. She could not drive them from her sight, and they grew
ever stronger, darker, and more unlovely to her eyes. They seemed to
cast black shadows over all around, to dim the sunshine, blight the
flowers, and drive away all bright and lovely things; while rising
slowly round her Annie saw a high, dark wall, that seemed to shut out
everything she loved; she dared not move, or speak, but, with a strange
fear at her heart, sat watching the dim shapes that hovered round her.

Higher and higher rose the shadowy wall, slowly the flowers near her
died, lingeringly the sunlight faded; but at last they both were gone,
and left her all alone behind the gloomy wall. Then the spirits
gathered round her, whispering strange things in her ear, bidding her
obey, for by her own will she had yielded up her heart to be their
home, and she was now their slave. Then she could hear no more, but,
sinking down among the withered flowers, wept sad and bitter tears, for
her lost liberty and joy; then through the gloom there shone a faint,
soft light, and on her breast she saw her fairy flower, upon whose
snow-white leaves her tears lay shining.

Clearer and brighter grew the radiant light, till the evil spirits
turned away to the dark shadow of the wall, and left the child alone.

The light and perfume of the flower seemed to bring new strength to
Annie, and she rose up, saying, as she bent to kiss the blossom on her
breast, “Dear flower, help and guide me now, and I will listen to your
voice, and cheerfully obey my faithful fairy bell.”

Then in her dream she felt how hard the spirits tried to tempt and
trouble her, and how, but for her flower, they would have led her back,
and made all dark and dreary as before. Long and hard she struggled,
and tears often fell; but after each new trial, brighter shone her
magic flower, and sweeter grew its breath, while the spirits lost still
more their power to tempt her. Meanwhile, green, flowering vines crept
up the high, dark wall, and hid its roughness from her sight; and over
these she watched most tenderly, for soon, wherever green leaves and
flowers bloomed, the wall beneath grew weak, and fell apart. Thus
little Annie worked and hoped, till one by one the evil spirits fled
away, and in their place came shining forms, with gentle eyes and
smiling lips, who gathered round her with such loving words, and
brought such strength and joy to Annie’s heart, that nothing evil dared
to enter in; while slowly sank the gloomy wall, and, over wreaths of
fragrant flowers, she passed out into the pleasant world again, the
fairy gift no longer pale and drooping, but now shining like a star
upon her breast.

Then the low voice spoke again in Annie’s sleeping ear, saying, “The
dark, unlovely passions you have looked upon are in your heart; watch
well while they are few and weak, lest they should darken your whole
life, and shut out love and happiness for ever. Remember well the
lesson of the dream, dear child, and let the shining spirits make your
heart their home.”

And with that voice sounding in her ear, little Annie woke to find it
was a dream; but like other dreams it did not pass away; and as she sat
alone, bathed in the rosy morning light, and watched the forest waken
into life, she thought of the strange forms she had seen, and, looking
down upon the flower on her breast, she silently resolved to strive, as
she had striven in her dream, to bring back light and beauty to its
faded leaves, by being what the Fairy hoped to render her, a patient,
gentle little child. And as the thought came to her mind, the flower
raised its drooping head, and, looking up into the earnest little face
bent over it, seemed by its fragrant breath to answer Annie’s silent
thought, and strengthen her for what might come.

Meanwhile the forest was astir, birds sang their gay good-morrows from
tree to tree, while leaf and flower turned to greet the sun, who rose
up smiling on the world; and so beneath the forest boughs and through
the dewy fields went little Annie home, better and wiser for her dream.


Autumn flowers were dead and gone, yellow leaves lay rustling on the
ground, bleak winds went whistling through the naked trees, and cold,
white Winter snow fell softly down; yet now, when all without looked
dark and dreary, on little Annie’s breast the fairy flower bloomed more
beautiful than ever. The memory of her forest dream had never passed
away, and through trial and temptation she had been true, and kept her
resolution still unbroken; seldom now did the warning bell sound in her
ear, and seldom did the flower’s fragrance cease to float about her, or
the fairy light to brighten all whereon it fell.

So, through the long, cold Winter, little Annie dwelt like a sunbeam in
her home, each day growing richer in the love of others, and happier in
herself; often was she tempted, but, remembering her dream, she
listened only to the music of the fairy bell, and the unkind thought or
feeling fled away, the smiling spirits of gentleness and love nestled
in her heart, and all was bright again.

So better and happier grew the child, fairer and sweeter grew the
flower, till Spring came smiling over the earth, and woke the flowers,
set free the streams, and welcomed back the birds; then daily did the
happy child sit among her flowers, longing for the gentle Elf to come
again, that she might tell her gratitude for all the magic gift had
done.

At length, one day, as she sat singing in the sunny nook where all her
fairest flowers bloomed, weary with gazing at the far-off sky for the
little form she hoped would come, she bent to look with joyful love
upon her bosom flower; and as she looked, its folded leaves spread wide
apart, and, rising slowly from the deep white cup, appeared the smiling
face of the lovely Elf whose coming she had waited for so long.

“Dear Annie, look for me no longer; I am here on your own breast, for
you have learned to love my gift, and it has done its work most
faithfully and well,” the Fairy said, as she looked into the happy
child’s bright face, and laid her little arms most tenderly about her
neck.

“And now have I brought another gift from Fairy-Land, as a fit reward
for you, dear child,” she said, when Annie had told all her gratitude
and love; then, touching the child with her shining wand, the Fairy bid
her look and listen silently.

And suddenly the world seemed changed to Annie; for the air was filled
with strange, sweet sounds, and all around her floated lovely forms. In
every flower sat little smiling Elves, singing gayly as they rocked
amid the leaves. On every breeze, bright, airy spirits came floating
by; some fanned her cheek with their cool breath, and waved her long
hair to and fro, while others rang the flower-bells, and made a
pleasant rustling among the leaves. In the fountain, where the water
danced and sparkled in the sun, astride of every drop she saw merry
little spirits, who plashed and floated in the clear, cool waves, and
sang as gayly as the flowers, on whom they scattered glittering dew.
The tall trees, as their branches rustled in the wind, sang a low,
dreamy song, while the waving grass was filled with little voices she
had never heard before. Butterflies whispered lovely tales in her ear,
and birds sang cheerful songs in a sweet language she had never
understood before. Earth and air seemed filled with beauty and with
music she had never dreamed of until now.

“O tell me what it means, dear Fairy! is it another and a lovelier
dream, or is the earth in truth so beautiful as this?” she cried,
looking with wondering joy upon the Elf, who lay upon the flower in her
breast.

“Yes, it is true, dear child,” replied the Fairy, “and few are the
mortals to whom we give this lovely gift; what to you is now so full of
music and of light, to others is but a pleasant summer world; they
never know the language of butterfly or bird or flower, and they are
blind to all that I have given you the power to see. These fair things
are your friends and playmates now, and they will teach you many
pleasant lessons, and give you many happy hours; while the garden where
you once sat, weeping sad and bitter tears, is now brightened by your
own happiness, filled with loving friends by your own kindly thoughts
and feelings; and thus rendered a pleasant summer home for the gentle,
happy child, whose bosom flower will never fade. And now, dear Annie, I
must go; but every Springtime, with the earliest flowers, will I come
again to visit you, and bring some fairy gift. Guard well the magic
flower, that I may find all fair and bright when next I come.”

Then, with a kind farewell, the gentle Fairy floated upward through the
sunny air, smiling down upon the child, until she vanished in the soft,
white clouds, and little Annie stood alone in her enchanted garden,
where all was brightened with the radiant light, and fragrant with the
perfume of her fairy flower.


When Moonlight ceased, Summer-Wind laid down her rose-leaf fan, and,
leaning back in her acorn cup, told this tale of



RIPPLE, THE WATER-SPIRIT.


Down in the deep blue sea lived Ripple, a happy little Water-Spirit;
all day long she danced beneath the coral arches, made garlands of
bright ocean flowers, or floated on the great waves that sparkled in
the sunlight; but the pastime that she loved best was lying in the
many-colored shells upon the shore, listening to the low, murmuring
music the waves had taught them long ago; and here for hours the little
Spirit lay watching the sea and sky, while singing gayly to herself.

But when tempests rose, she hastened down below the stormy billows, to
where all was calm and still, and with her sister Spirits waited till
it should be fair again, listening sadly, meanwhile, to the cries of
those whom the wild waves wrecked and cast into the angry sea, and who
soon came floating down, pale and cold, to the Spirits’ pleasant home;
then they wept pitying tears above the lifeless forms, and laid them in
quiet graves, where flowers bloomed, and jewels sparkled in the sand.

This was Ripple’s only grief, and she often thought of those who
sorrowed for the friends they loved, who now slept far down in the dim
and silent coral caves, and gladly would she have saved the lives of
those who lay around her; but the great ocean was far mightier than all
the tender-hearted Spirits dwelling in its bosom. Thus she could only
weep for them, and lay them down to sleep where no cruel waves could
harm them more.

One day, when a fearful storm raged far and wide, and the Spirits saw
great billows rolling like heavy clouds above their heads, and heard
the wild winds sounding far away, down through the foaming waves a
little child came floating to their home; its eyes were closed as if in
sleep, the long hair fell like sea-weed round its pale, cold face, and
the little hands still clasped the shells they had been gathering on
the beach, when the great waves swept it into the troubled sea.

With tender tears the Spirits laid the little form to rest upon its bed
of flowers, and, singing mournful songs, as if to make its sleep more
calm and deep, watched long and lovingly above it, till the storm had
died away, and all was still again.

While Ripple sang above the little child, through the distant roar of
winds and waves she heard a wild, sorrowing voice, that seemed to call
for help. Long she listened, thinking it was but the echo of their own
plaintive song, but high above the music still sounded the sad, wailing
cry. Then, stealing silently away, she glided up through foam and
spray, till, through the parting clouds, the sunlight shone upon her
from the tranquil sky; and, guided by the mournful sound, she floated
on, till, close before her on the beach, she saw a woman stretching
forth her arms, and with a sad, imploring voice praying the restless
sea to give her back the little child it had so cruelly borne away. But
the waves dashed foaming up among the bare rocks at her feet, mingling
their cold spray with her tears, and gave no answer to her prayer.

When Ripple saw the mother’s grief, she longed to comfort her; so,
bending tenderly beside her, where she knelt upon the shore, the little
Spirit told her how her child lay softly sleeping, far down in a lovely
place, where sorrowing tears were shed, and gentle hands laid garlands
over him. But all in vain she whispered kindly words; the weeping
mother only cried,—

“Dear Spirit, can you use no charm or spell to make the waves bring
back my child, as full of life and strength as when they swept him from
my side? O give me back my little child, or let me lie beside him in
the bosom of the cruel sea.”

“Most gladly will I help you if I can, though I have little power to
use; then grieve no more, for I will search both earth and sea, to find
some friend who can bring back all you have lost. Watch daily on the
shore, and if I do not come again, then you will know my search has
been in vain. Farewell, poor mother, you shall see your little child
again, if Fairy power can win him back.” And with these cheering words
Ripple sprang into the sea; while, smiling through her tears, the woman
watched the gentle Spirit, till her bright crown vanished in the waves.

When Ripple reached her home, she hastened to the palace of the Queen,
and told her of the little child, the sorrowing mother, and the promise
she had made.

“Good little Ripple,” said the Queen, when she had told her all, “your
promise never can be kept; there is no power below the sea to work this
charm, and you can never reach the Fire-Spirits’ home, to win from them
a flame to warm the little body into life. I pity the poor mother, and
would most gladly help her; but alas! I am a Spirit like yourself, and
cannot serve you as I long to do.”

“Ah, dear Queen! if you had seen her sorrow, you too would seek to keep
the promise I have made. I cannot let her watch for ME in vain, till I
have done my best: then tell me where the Fire-Spirits dwell, and I
will ask of them the flame that shall give life to the little child and
such great happiness to the sad, lonely mother: tell me the path, and
let me go.”

“It is far, far away, high up above the sun, where no Spirit ever dared
to venture yet,” replied the Queen. “I cannot show the path, for it is
through the air. Dear Ripple, do not go, for you can never reach that
distant place: some harm most surely will befall; and then how shall we
live, without our dearest, gentlest Spirit? Stay here with us in your
own pleasant home, and think no more of this, for I can never let you
go.”

But Ripple would not break the promise she had made, and besought so
earnestly, and with such pleading words, that the Queen at last with
sorrow gave consent, and Ripple joyfully prepared to go. She, with her
sister Spirits, built up a tomb of delicate, bright-colored shells,
wherein the child might lie, till she should come to wake him into
life; then, praying them to watch most faithfully above it, she said
farewell, and floated bravely forth, on her long, unknown journey, far
away.

“I will search the broad earth till I find a path up to the sun, or
some kind friend who will carry me; for, alas! I have no wings, and
cannot glide through the blue air as through the sea,” said Ripple to
herself, as she went dancing over the waves, which bore her swiftly
onward towards a distant shore.

Long she journeyed through the pathless ocean, with no friends to cheer
her, save the white sea-birds who went sweeping by, and only stayed to
dip their wide wings at her side, and then flew silently away.
Sometimes great ships sailed by, and then with longing eyes did the
little Spirit gaze up at the faces that looked down upon the sea; for
often they were kind and pleasant ones, and she gladly would have
called to them and asked them to be friends. But they would never
understand the strange, sweet language that she spoke, or even see the
lovely face that smiled at them above the waves; her blue, transparent
garments were but water to their eyes, and the pearl chains in her hair
but foam and sparkling spray; so, hoping that the sea would be most
gentle with them, silently she floated on her way, and left them far
behind.

At length green hills were seen, and the waves gladly bore the little
Spirit on, till, rippling gently over soft white sand, they left her on
the pleasant shore.

“Ah, what a lovely place it is!” said Ripple, as she passed through
sunny valleys, where flowers began to bloom, and young leaves rustled
on the trees.

“Why are you all so gay, dear birds?” she asked, as their cheerful
voices sounded far and near; “is there a festival over the earth, that
all is so beautiful and bright?”

“Do you not know that Spring is coming? The warm winds whispered it
days ago, and we are learning the sweetest songs, to welcome her when
she shall come,” sang the lark, soaring away as the music gushed from
his little throat.

“And shall I see her, Violet, as she journeys over the earth?” asked
Ripple again.

“Yes, you will meet her soon, for the sunlight told me she was near;
tell her we long to see her again, and are waiting to welcome her
back,” said the blue flower, dancing for joy on her stem, as she nodded
and smiled on the Spirit.

“I will ask Spring where the Fire-Spirits dwell; she travels over the
earth each year, and surely can show me the way,” thought Ripple, as
she went journeying on.

Soon she saw Spring come smiling over the earth; sunbeams and breezes
floated before, and then, with her white garments covered with flowers,
with wreaths in her hair, and dew-drops and seeds falling fast from her
hands the beautiful season came singing by.

“Dear Spring, will you listen, and help a poor little Spirit, who seeks
far and wide for the Fire-Spirits’ home?” cried Ripple; and then told
why she was there, and begged her to tell what she sought.

“The Fire-Spirits’ home is far, far away, and I cannot guide you there;
but Summer is coming behind me,” said Spring, “and she may know better
than I. But I will give you a breeze to help you on your way; it will
never tire nor fail, but bear you easily over land and sea. Farewell,
little Spirit! I would gladly do more, but voices are calling me far
and wide, and I cannot stay.”

“Many thanks, kind Spring!” cried Ripple, as she floated away on the
breeze; “give a kindly word to the mother who waits on the shore, and
tell her I have not forgotten my vow, but hope soon to see her again.”

Then Spring flew on with her sunshine and flowers, and Ripple went
swiftly over hill and vale, till she came to the land where Summer was
dwelling. Here the sun shone warmly down on the early fruit, the winds
blew freshly over fields of fragrant hay, and rustled with a pleasant
sound among the green leaves in the forests; heavy dews fell softly
down at night, and long, bright days brought strength and beauty to the
blossoming earth.

“Now I must seek for Summer,” said Ripple, as she sailed slowly through
the sunny sky.

“I am here, what would you with me, little Spirit?” said a musical
voice in her ear; and, floating by her side, she saw a graceful form,
with green robes fluttering in the air, whose pleasant face looked
kindly on her, from beneath a crown of golden sunbeams that cast a
warm, bright glow on all beneath.

Then Ripple told her tale, and asked where she should go; but Summer
answered,—

“I can tell no more than my young sister Spring where you may find the
Spirits that you seek; but I too, like her, will give a gift to aid
you. Take this sunbeam from my crown; it will cheer and brighten the
most gloomy path through which you pass. Farewell! I shall carry
tidings of you to the watcher by the sea, if in my journey round the
world I find her there.”

And Summer, giving her the sunbeam, passed away over the distant hills,
leaving all green and bright behind her.

So Ripple journeyed on again, till the earth below her shone with
yellow harvests waving in the sun, and the air was filled with cheerful
voices, as the reapers sang among the fields or in the pleasant
vineyards, where purple fruit hung gleaming through the leaves; while
the sky above was cloudless, and the changing forest-trees shone like a
many-colored garland, over hill and plain; and here, along the ripening
corn-fields, with bright wreaths of crimson leaves and golden
wheat-ears in her hair and on her purple mantle, stately Autumn passed,
with a happy smile on her calm face, as she went scattering generous
gifts from her full arms.

But when the wandering Spirit came to her, and asked for what she
sought, this season, like the others, could not tell her where to go;
so, giving her a yellow leaf, Autumn said, as she passed on,—

“Ask Winter, little Ripple, when you come to his cold home; he knows
the Fire-Spirits well, for when he comes they fly to the earth, to warm
and comfort those dwelling there; and perhaps he can tell you where
they are. So take this gift of mine, and when you meet his chilly
winds, fold it about you, and sit warm beneath its shelter, till you
come to sunlight again. I will carry comfort to the patient woman, as
my sisters have already done, and tell her you are faithful still.”

Then on went the never-tiring Breeze, over forest, hill, and field,
till the sky grew dark, and bleak winds whistled by. Then Ripple,
folded in the soft, warm leaf, looked sadly down on the earth, that
seemed to lie so desolate and still beneath its shroud of snow, and
thought how bitter cold the leaves and flowers must be; for the little
Water-Spirit did not know that Winter spread a soft white covering
above their beds, that they might safely sleep below till Spring should
waken them again. So she went sorrowfully on, till Winter, riding on
the strong North-Wind, came rushing by, with a sparkling ice-crown in
his streaming hair, while from beneath his crimson cloak, where
glittering frost-work shone like silver threads, he scattered
snow-flakes far and wide.

“What do you seek with me, fair little Spirit, that you come so bravely
here amid my ice and snow? Do not fear me; I am warm at heart, though
rude and cold without,” said Winter, looking kindly on her, while a
bright smile shone like sunlight on his pleasant face, as it glowed and
glistened in the frosty air.

When Ripple told him why she had come, he pointed upward, where the
sunlight dimly shone through the heavy clouds, saying,—

“Far off there, beside the sun, is the Fire-Spirits’ home; and the only
path is up, through cloud and mist. It is a long, strange path, for a
lonely little Spirit to be going; the Fairies are wild, wilful things,
and in their play may harm and trouble you. Come back with me, and do
not go this dangerous journey to the sky. I’ll gladly bear you home
again, if you will come.”

But Ripple said, “I cannot turn back now, when I am nearly there. The
Spirits surely will not harm me, when I tell them why I am come; and if
I win the flame, I shall be the happiest Spirit in the sea, for my
promise will be kept, and the poor mother happy once again. So
farewell, Winter! Speak to her gently, and tell her to hope still, for
I shall surely come.”

“Adieu, little Ripple! May good angels watch above you! Journey bravely
on, and take this snow-flake that will never melt, as MY gift,” Winter
cried, as the North-Wind bore him on, leaving a cloud of falling snow
behind.

“Now, dear Breeze,” said Ripple, “fly straight upward through the air,
until we reach the place we have so long been seeking; Sunbeam shall go
before to light the way, Yellow-leaf shall shelter me from heat and
rain, while Snow-flake shall lie here beside me till it comes of use.
So farewell to the pleasant earth, until we come again. And now away,
up to the sun!”

When Ripple first began her airy journey, all was dark and dreary;
heavy clouds lay piled like hills around her, and a cold mist filled
the air but the Sunbeam, like a star, lit up the way, the leaf lay
warmly round her, and the tireless wind went swiftly on. Higher and
higher they floated up, still darker and darker grew the air, closer
the damp mist gathered, while the black clouds rolled and tossed, like
great waves, to and fro.

“Ah!” sighed the weary little Spirit, “shall I never see the light
again, or feel the warm winds on my cheek? It is a dreary way indeed,
and but for the Seasons’ gifts I should have perished long ago; but the
heavy clouds MUST pass away at last, and all be fair again. So hasten
on, good Breeze, and bring me quickly to my journey’s end.”

Soon the cold vapors vanished from her path, and sunshine shone upon
her pleasantly; so she went gayly on, till she came up among the stars,
where many new, strange sights were to be seen. With wondering eyes she
looked upon the bright worlds that once seemed dim and distant, when
she gazed upon them from the sea; but now they moved around her, some
shining with a softly radiant light, some circled with bright,
many-colored rings, while others burned with a red, angry glare. Ripple
would have gladly stayed to watch them longer, for she fancied low,
sweet voices called her, and lovely faces seemed to look upon her as
she passed; but higher up still, nearer to the sun, she saw a far-off
light, that glittered like a brilliant crimson star, and seemed to cast
a rosy glow along the sky.

“The Fire-Spirits surely must be there, and I must stay no longer
here,” said Ripple. So steadily she floated on, till straight before
her lay a broad, bright path, that led up to a golden arch, beyond
which she could see shapes flitting to and fro. As she drew near,
brighter glowed the sky, hotter and hotter grew the air, till Ripple’s
leaf-cloak shrivelled up, and could no longer shield her from the heat;
then she unfolded the white snow-flake, and, gladly wrapping the soft,
cool mantle round her, entered through the shining arch.

Through the red mist that floated all around her, she could see high
walls of changing light, where orange, blue, and violet flames went
flickering to and fro, making graceful figures as they danced and
glowed; and underneath these rainbow arches, little Spirits glided, far
and near, wearing crowns of fire, beneath which flashed their wild,
bright eyes; and as they spoke, sparks dropped quickly from their lips,
and Ripple saw with wonder, through their garments of transparent
light, that in each Fairy’s breast there burned a steady flame, that
never wavered or went out.

As thus she stood, the Spirits gathered round her, and their hot breath
would have scorched her, but she drew the snow-cloak closer round her,
saying,—

“Take me to your Queen, that I may tell her why I am here, and ask for
what I seek.”

So, through long halls of many-colored fire, they led her to a Spirit
fairer than the rest, whose crown of flames waved to and fro like
golden plumes, while, underneath her violet robe, the light within her
breast glowed bright and strong.

“This is our Queen,” the Spirits said, bending low before her, as she
turned her gleaming eyes upon the stranger they had brought.

Then Ripple told how she had wandered round the world in search of
them, how the Seasons had most kindly helped her on, by giving
Sun-beam, Breeze, Leaf, and Flake; and how, through many dangers, she
had come at last to ask of them the magic flame that could give life to
the little child again.

When she had told her tale, the spirits whispered earnestly among
themselves, while sparks fell thick and fast with every word; at length
the Fire-Queen said aloud,—

“We cannot give the flame you ask, for each of us must take a part of
it from our own breasts; and this we will not do, for the brighter our
bosom-fire burns, the lovelier we are. So do not ask us for this thing;
but any other gift we will most gladly give, for we feel kindly towards
you, and will serve you if we may.”

But Ripple asked no other boon, and, weeping sadly, begged them not to
send her back without the gift she had come so far to gain.

“O dear, warm-hearted Spirits! give me each a little light from your
own breasts, and surely they will glow the brighter for this kindly
deed; and I will thankfully repay it if I can.” As thus she spoke, the
Queen, who had spied out a chain of jewels Ripple wore upon her neck,
replied,—

“If you will give me those bright, sparkling stones, I will bestow on
you a part of my own flame; for we have no such lovely things to wear
about our necks, and I desire much to have them. Will you give it me
for what I offer, little Spirit?”

Joyfully Ripple gave her the chain; but, as soon as it touched her
hand, the jewels melted like snow, and fell in bright drops to the
ground; at this the Queen’s eyes flashed, and the Spirits gathered
angrily about poor Ripple, who looked sadly at the broken chain, and
thought in vain what she could give, to win the thing she longed so
earnestly for.

“I have many fairer gems than these, in my home below the sea; and I
will bring all I can gather far and wide, if you will grant my prayer,
and give me what I seek,” she said, turning gently to the fiery
Spirits, who were hovering fiercely round her.

“You must bring us each a jewel that will never vanish from our hands
as these have done,” they said, “and we will each give of our fire; and
when the child is brought to life, you must bring hither all the jewels
you can gather from the depths of the sea, that we may try them here
among the flames; but if they melt away like these, then we shall keep
you prisoner, till you give us back the light we lend. If you consent
to this, then take our gift, and journey home again; but fail not to
return, or we shall seek you out.”

And Ripple said she would consent, though she knew not if the jewels
could be found; still, thinking of the promise she had made, she forgot
all else, and told the Spirits what they asked most surely should be
done. So each one gave a little of the fire from their breasts, and
placed the flame in a crystal vase, through which it shone and
glittered like a star.

Then, bidding her remember all she had promised them, they led her to
the golden arch, and said farewell.

So, down along the shining path, through mist and cloud, she travelled
back; till, far below, she saw the broad blue sea she left so long ago.

Gladly she plunged into the clear, cool waves, and floated back to her
pleasant home; where the Spirits gathered joyfully about her, listening
with tears and smiles, as she told all her many wanderings, and showed
the crystal vase that she had brought.

“Now come,” said they, “and finish the good work you have so bravely
carried on.” So to the quiet tomb they went, where, like a marble
image, cold and still, the little child was lying. Then Ripple placed
the flame upon his breast, and watched it gleam and sparkle there,
while light came slowly back into the once dim eyes, a rosy glow shone
over the pale face, and breath stole through the parted lips; still
brighter and warmer burned the magic fire, until the child awoke from
his long sleep, and looked in smiling wonder at the faces bending over
him.

Then Ripple sang for joy, and, with her sister Spirits, robed the child
in graceful garments, woven of bright sea-weed, while in his shining
hair they wreathed long garlands of their fairest flowers, and on his
little arms hung chains of brilliant shells.

“Now come with us, dear child,” said Ripple; “we will bear you safely
up into the sunlight and the pleasant air; for this is not your home,
and yonder, on the shore, there waits a loving friend for you.”

So up they went, through foam and spray, till on the beach, where the
fresh winds played among her falling hair, and the waves broke
sparkling at her feet, the lonely mother still stood, gazing wistfully
across the sea. Suddenly, upon a great blue billow that came rolling
in, she saw the Water-Spirits smiling on her; and high aloft, in their
white gleaming arms, her child stretched forth his hands to welcome
her; while the little voice she so longed to hear again cried gayly,—

“See, dear mother, I am come; and look what lovely things the gentle
Spirits gave, that I might seem more beautiful to you.”

Then gently the great wave broke, and rolled back to the sea, leaving
Ripple on the shore, and the child clasped in his mother’s arms.

“O faithful little Spirit! I would gladly give some precious gift to
show my gratitude for this kind deed; but I have nothing save this
chain of little pearls: they are the tears I shed, and the sea has
changed them thus, that I might offer them to you,” the happy mother
said, when her first joy was passed, and Ripple turned to go.

“Yes, I will gladly wear your gift, and look upon it as my fairest
ornament,” the Water-Spirit said; and with the pearls upon her breast,
she left the shore, where the child was playing gayly to and fro, and
the mother’s glad smile shone upon her, till she sank beneath the
waves.

And now another task was to be done; her promise to the Fire-Spirits
must be kept. So far and wide she searched among the caverns of the
sea, and gathered all the brightest jewels shining there; and then upon
her faithful Breeze once more went journeying through the sky.

The Spirits gladly welcomed her, and led her to the Queen, before whom
she poured out the sparkling gems she had gathered with such toil and
care; but when the Spirits tried to form them into crowns, they
trickled from their hands like colored drops of dew, and Ripple saw
with fear and sorrow how they melted one by one away, till none of all
the many she had brought remained. Then the Fire-Spirits looked upon
her angrily, and when she begged them to be merciful, and let her try
once more, saying,—

“Do not keep me prisoner here. I cannot breathe the flames that give
you life, and but for this snow-mantle I too should melt away, and
vanish like the jewels in your hands. O dear Spirits, give me some
other task, but let me go from this warm place, where all is strange
and fearful to a Spirit of the sea.”

They would not listen; and drew nearer, saying, while bright sparks
showered from their lips, “We will not let you go, for you have
promised to be ours if the gems you brought proved worthless; so fling
away this cold white cloak, and bathe with us in the fire fountains,
and help us bring back to our bosom flames the light we gave you for
the child.”

Then Ripple sank down on the burning floor, and felt that her life was
nearly done; for she well knew the hot air of the fire-palace would be
death to her. The Spirits gathered round, and began to lift her mantle
off; but underneath they saw the pearl chain, shining with a clear,
soft light, that only glowed more brightly when they laid their hands
upon it.

“O give us this!” cried they; “it is far lovelier than all the rest,
and does not melt away like them; and see how brilliantly it glitters
in our hands. If we may but have this, all will be well, and you are
once more free.”

And Ripple, safe again beneath her snow flake, gladly gave the chain to
them; and told them how the pearls they now placed proudly on their
breasts were formed of tears, which but for them might still be
flowing. Then the Spirits smiled most kindly on her, and would have put
their arms about her, and have kissed her cheek, but she drew back,
telling them that every touch of theirs was like a wound to her.

“Then, if we may not tell our pleasure so, we will show it in a
different way, and give you a pleasant journey home. Come out with us,”
the Spirits said, “and see the bright path we have made for you.” So
they led her to the lofty gate, and here, from sky to earth, a lovely
rainbow arched its radiant colors in the sun.

“This is indeed a pleasant road,” said Ripple. “Thank you, friendly
Spirits, for your care; and now farewell. I would gladly stay yet
longer, but we cannot dwell together, and I am longing sadly for my own
cool home. Now Sunbeam, Breeze, Leaf, and Flake, fly back to the
Seasons whence you came, and tell them that, thanks to their kind
gifts, Ripple’s work at last is done.”

Then down along the shining pathway spread before her, the happy little
Spirit glided to the sea.


“Thanks, dear Summer-Wind,” said the Queen; “we will remember the
lessons you have each taught us, and when next we meet in Fern Dale,
you shall tell us more. And now, dear Trip, call them from the lake,
for the moon is sinking fast, and we must hasten home.”

The Elves gathered about their Queen, and while the rustling leaves
were still, and the flowers’ sweet voices mingled with their own, they
sang this



FAIRY SONG.


The moonlight fades from flower and tree,
And the stars dim one by one;
The tale is told, the song is sung,
And the Fairy feast is done.
The night-wind rocks the sleeping flowers,
And sings to them, soft and low.
The early birds erelong will wake:
’T is time for the Elves to go.


O’er the sleeping earth we silently pass,
Unseen by mortal eye,
And send sweet dreams, as we lightly float
Through the quiet moonlit sky;—
For the stars’ soft eyes alone may see,
And the flowers alone may know,
The feasts we hold, the tales we tell:
So ’t is time for the Elves to go.


From bird, and blossom, and bee,
We learn the lessons they teach;
And seek, by kindly deeds, to win
A loving friend in each.
And though unseen on earth we dwell,
Sweet voices whisper low,
And gentle hearts most joyously greet
The Elves where’er they go.


When next we meet in the Fairy dell,
May the silver moon’s soft light
Shine then on faces gay as now,
And Elfin hearts as light.
Now spread each wing, for the eastern sky
With sunlight soon will glow.
The morning star shall light us home:
Farewell! for the Elves must go.


As the music ceased, with a soft, rustling sound the Elves spread their
shining wings, and flew silently over the sleeping earth; the flowers
closed their bright eyes, the little winds were still, for the feast
was over, and the Fairy lessons ended.





*** End of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "Flower Fables" ***

Copyright 2023 LibraryBlog. All rights reserved.