LITTLE ANNIE'S DREAM; OR, THE FAIRY FLOWER.
IN a large and pleasant garden sat little Annie all alone, andshe seemed very sad, for drops that were not dew fell fast upon theflowers beside her, who looked wonderingly up, and bent still nearer,as if they longed to cheer and comfort her. The warm wind lifted upher 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 forgotall 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 avine-leaf at her side; a lovely face smiled on her, from amidbright locks of hair, and shining wings were folded on a white andglittering robe, that fluttered in the wind.
"Who are you, lovely little thing?" cried Annie, smiling throughher tears.
"I am a Fairy, little child, and am come to help and comfort you; nowtell 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 ofin 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 allyour 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 arethese great drops shining on the flowers, and why do you sit alonewhen 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 bea happy child, you first must learn to conquer many passions thatyou cherish now, and make your heart a home for gentle feelings andhappy thoughts; the task is hard, but I will give this fairy flowerto help and counsel you. Bend hither, that I may place it in yourbreast; no hand can take it hence, till I unsay the spell thatholds 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 isa fairy flower," said the Elf, "invisible to every eye save yours;now listen while I tell its power, Annie. When your heart is filledwith loving thoughts, when some kindly deed has been done, some dutywell performed, then from the flower there will arise the sweetest,softest fragrance, to reward and gladden you. But when an unkind wordis 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 wordremain unspoken, the deed undone, and in the quiet joy of your ownheart, and the magic perfume of your bosom flower, you will finda sweet reward."
"O kind and generous Fairy, how can I ever thank you for this lovelygift!" cried Annie. "I will be true, and listen to my little bellwhenever it may ring. But shall I never see YOU more? Ah! if youwould only stay with me, I should indeed be good."
"I cannot stay now, little Annie," said the Elf, "but whenanother Spring comes round, I shall be here again, to see how wellthe 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 joythe fairy blossom shining on her breast.
The pleasant days of Spring and Summer passed away, and inlittle 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 seemedquite gone, and the clear, low music of its warning chime rang oftenin her ear.
When first the Fairy placed it there, she had been pleased withher new gift, and for a while obeyed the fairy bell, and often triedto win some fragrance from the flower, by kind and pleasant wordsand actions; then, as the Fairy said, she found a sweet reward inthe strange, soft perfume of the magic blossom, as it shone upon herbreast; but selfish thoughts would come to tempt her, she would yield,and unkind words fell from her lips; and then the flower drooped paleand scentless, the fairy bell rang mournfully, Annie would forgether 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 stillheld it fast, and all her angry words but made it ring a louder,sadder peal. Then she paid no heed to the silvery music soundingin her ear, and each day grew still more unhappy, discontented,and unkind; so, when the Autumn days came round, she was no betterfor the gentle Fairy's gift, and longed for Spring, that it mightbe returned; for now the constant echo of the mournful music made hervery 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 alonecould take the magic blossom from her breast. But she lifted up theirdrooping leaves, peeped into their dewy cups in vain; no little Elflay hidden there, and she turned sadly from them all, saying, "I willgo out into the fields and woods, and seek her there. I will notlisten to this tiresome music more, nor wear this withered flowerlonger." So out into the fields she went, where the long grassrustled as she passed, and timid birds looked at her from their nests;where lovely wild-flowers nodded in the wind, and opened wide theirfragrant 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 onecould tell her of the Fairy whom she sought; but the birds lookedwonderingly 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 wavedaround her like a golden forest; here crickets chirped, grasshoppersleaped, and busy ants worked, but they could not tell her whatshe 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 shesearched and vainly she called; but still no Fairy came. Thenby the river-side she went, and asked the gay dragon-flies, and thecool white lilies, if the Fairy had been there; but the blue wavesrippled on the white sand at her feet, and no voice answered her.
Then into the forest little Annie went; and as she passed along thedim, cool paths, the wood-flowers smiled up in her face, gay squirrelspeeped at her, as they swung amid the vines, and doves cooed softlyas she wandered by; but none could answer her. So, weary withher long and useless search, she sat amid the ferns, and feastedon the rosy strawberries that grew beside her, watching meanwhilethe crimson evening clouds that glowed around the setting sun.
The night-wind rustled through the boughs, rocking the flowersto sleep; the wild birds sang their evening hymns, and all withinthe wood grew calm and still; paler and paler grew the purple light,lower and lower drooped little Annie's head, the tall ferns bentto 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-flowersin the dim old forest.
And all night long beside her stood the Fairy she had sought, andby elfin spell and charm sent to the sleeping child this dream.
Little Annie dreamed she sat in her own garden, as she had oftensat before, with angry feelings in her heart, and unkind words uponher lips. The magic flower was ringing its sof
t warning, but she paidno 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 nowdwell within your heart, and you shall see how great their powerbecomes, unless you banish them for ever."
Then Annie saw, with fear and wonder, that the angry words she utteredchanged to dark, unlovely forms, each showing plainly from what faultor passion it had sprung. Some of the shapes had scowling faces andbright, fiery eyes; these were the spirits of Anger. Others, withsullen, anxious looks, seemed gathering up all they could reach, andAnnie saw that the more they gained, the less they seemed to have;and these she knew were shapes of Selfishness. Spirits of Pride werethere, who folded their shadowy garments round them, and turnedscornfully away from all the rest. These and many otherslittle Annie saw, which had come from her own heart, and taken formbefore her eyes.
When first she saw them, they were small and weak; but as she lookedthey seemed to grow and gather strength, and each gained astrange 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 thesunshine, blight the flowers, and drive away all bright and lovelythings; 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 dimshapes that hovered round her.
Higher and higher rose the shadowy wall, slowly the flowers near herdied, lingeringly the sunlight faded; but at last they both were gone,and left her all alone behind the gloomy wall. Then the spiritsgathered round her, whispering strange things in her ear, bidding herobey, for by her own will she had yielded up her heart to be theirhome, 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 shonea 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 spiritsturned away to the dark shadow of the wall, and left the child alone.
The light and perfume of the flower seemed to bring new strengthto Annie, and she rose up, saying, as she bent to kiss the blossomon her breast, "Dear flower, help and guide me now, and I will listento your voice, and cheerfully obey my faithful fairy bell."
Then in her dream she felt how hard the spirits tried to temptand trouble her, and how, but for her flower, they would have ledher back, and made all dark and dreary as before. Long and hardshe struggled, and tears often fell; but after each new trial,brighter shone her magic flower, and sweeter grew its breath, whilethe spirits lost still more their power to tempt her. Meanwhile,green, flowering vines crept up the high, dark wall, and hid itsroughness from her sight; and over these she watched most tenderly,for soon, wherever green leaves and flowers bloomed, the wall beneathgrew weak, and fell apart. Thus little Annie worked and hoped,till one by one the evil spirits fled away, and in their placecame shining forms, with gentle eyes and smiling lips, who gatheredround her with such loving words, and brought such strength and joyto Annie's heart, that nothing evil dared to enter in; while slowlysank the gloomy wall, and, over wreaths of fragrant flowers, shepassed out into the pleasant world again, the fairy gift no longerpale 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 yourwhole life, and shut out love and happiness for ever. Remember wellthe lesson of the dream, dear child, and let the shining spiritsmake your heart their home."
And with that voice sounding in her ear, little Annie woke to findit was a dream; but like other dreams it did not pass away; and as shesat alone, bathed in the rosy morning light, and watched the forestwaken into life, she thought of the strange forms she had seen, and,looking down upon the flower on her breast, she silently resolved tostrive, as she had striven in her dream, to bring back light andbeauty to its faded leaves, by being what the Fairy hoped to renderher, a patient, gentle little child. And as the thought came to hermind, the flower raised its drooping head, and, looking up into theearnest little face bent over it, seemed by its fragrant breath toanswer Annie's silent thought, and strengthen her for what might come.
Meanwhile the forest was astir, birds sang their gay good-morrowsfrom tree to tree, while leaf and flower turned to greet the sun,who rose up smiling on the world; and so beneath the forest boughsand through the dewy fields went little Annie home, better and wiserfor her dream.
Autumn flowers were dead and gone, yellow leaves lay rustling on theground, bleak winds went whistling through the naked trees, and cold,white Winter snow fell softly down; yet now, when all without lookeddark and dreary, on little Annie's breast the fairy flower bloomedmore beautiful than ever. The memory of her forest dream had neverpassed away, and through trial and temptation she had been true, andkept her resolution still unbroken; seldom now did the warning bellsound in her ear, and seldom did the flower's fragrance cease to floatabout her, or the fairy light to brighten all whereon it fell.
So, through the long, cold Winter, little Annie dwelt like a sunbeamin her home, each day growing richer in the love of others, andhappier in herself; often was she tempted, but, remembering her dream,she listened only to the music of the fairy bell, and the unkindthought or feeling fled away, the smiling spirits of gentlenessand love nestled in her heart, and all was bright again.
So better and happier grew the child, fairer and sweeter grew theflower, till Spring came smiling over the earth, and woke the flowers,set free the streams, and welcomed back the birds; then daily didthe happy child sit among her flowers, longing for the gentle Elfto come again, that she might tell her gratitude for all the magicgift had done.
At length, one day, as she sat singing in the sunny nook whereall her fairest flowers bloomed, weary with gazing at the far-off skyfor the little form she hoped would come, she bent to look with joyfullove upon her bosom flower; and as she looked, its folded leavesspread wide apart, and, rising slowly from the deep white cup,appeared the smiling face of the lovely Elf whose coming she hadwaited 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 workmost faithfully and well," the Fairy said, as she looked into thehappy child's bright face, and laid her little arms most tenderlyabout her neck.
"And now have I brought another gift from Fairy-Land, as a fit rewardfor you, dear child," she said, when Annie had told all her gratitudeand love; then, touching the child with her shining wand, the Fairybid her look and listen silently.
And suddenly the world seemed changed to Annie; for the air was filledwith strange, sweet sounds, and all around her floated lovely forms.In every flower sat little smiling Elves, singing gayly as they rockedamid the leaves. On every breeze, bright, airy spirits came floatingby; some fanned her cheek with their cool breath, and waved her longhair to and fro, while others rang the flower-bells, and made apleasant rustling among the leaves. In the fountain, where the waterdanced and sparkled in the sun, astride of every drop she saw merrylittle spirits, who plashed and floated in the clear, cool waves, andsang 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 voicesshe had never heard before. Butterflies whispered lovely tales inher ear, and birds sang cheerful songs in a sweet language she hadnever understood before. Earth and air seemed filled with beautyand with music she had never dreamed of until now.
"O tell me what it means, dear Fairy! is it another and a lovelierdream, or is the earth in truth so beautiful as this?" she cri
ed,looking with wondering joy upon the Elf, who lay upon the flowerin her breast.
"Yes, it is true, dear child," replied the Fairy, "and few are themortals to whom we give this lovely gift; what to you is now so fullof music and of light, to others is but a pleasant summer world;they never know the language of butterfly or bird or flower, and theyare blind to all that I have given you the power to see. These fairthings are your friends and playmates now, and they will teach youmany pleasant lessons, and give you many happy hours; while the gardenwhere you once sat, weeping sad and bitter tears, is now brightenedby your own happiness, filled with loving friends by your own kindlythoughts and feelings; and thus rendered a pleasant summer homefor the gentle, happy child, whose bosom flower will never fade.And now, dear Annie, I must go; but every Springtime, with theearliest flowers, will I come again to visit you, and bringsome fairy gift. Guard well the magic flower, that I may find allfair and bright when next I come."
Then, with a kind farewell, the gentle Fairy floated upwardthrough the sunny air, smiling down upon the child, until she vanishedin the soft, white clouds, and little Annie stood alone in herenchanted 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 garlandsof bright ocean flowers, or floated on the great waves that sparkledin the sunlight; but the pastime that she loved best was lyingin the many-colored shells upon the shore, listening to the low,murmuring music the waves had taught them long ago; and herefor hours the little Spirit lay watching the sea and sky, whilesinging 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 waitedtill it should be fair again, listening sadly, meanwhile, to the criesof 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 jewelssparkled in the sand.
This was Ripple's only grief, and she often thought of those whosorrowed for the friends they loved, who now slept far down in the dimand silent coral caves, and gladly would she have saved the livesof those who lay around her; but the great ocean was far mightier thanall the tender-hearted Spirits dwelling in its bosom. Thus she couldonly weep for them, and lay them down to sleep where no cruel wavescould harm them more.
One day, when a fearful storm raged far and wide, and the Spirits sawgreat billows rolling like heavy clouds above their heads, and heardthe wild winds sounding far away, down through the foaming wavesa little child came floating to their home; its eyes were closed as ifin sleep, the long hair fell like sea-weed round its pale, cold face,and the little hands still clasped the shells they had been gatheringon the beach, when the great waves swept it into the troubled sea.
With tender tears the Spirits laid the little form to rest upon itsbed of flowers, and, singing mournful songs, as if to make its sleepmore calm and deep, watched long and lovingly above it, till the stormhad died away, and all was still again.
While Ripple sang above the little child, through the distant roarof winds and waves she heard a wild, sorrowing voice, that seemed tocall for help. Long she listened, thinking it was but the echo oftheir own plaintive song, but high above the music still soundedthe sad, wailing cry. Then, stealing silently away, she glided upthrough foam and spray, till, through the parting clouds, the sunlightshone upon her from the tranquil sky; and, guided by the mournfulsound, she floated on, till, close before her on the beach, she sawa woman stretching forth her arms, and with a sad, imploring voicepraying the restless sea to give her back the little child it hadso cruelly borne away. But the waves dashed foaming up among thebare 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 downin a lovely place, where sorrowing tears were shed, and gentle handslaid 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 bringback my child, as full of life and strength as when they swept himfrom my side? O give me back my little child, or let me lie besidehim in the bosom of the cruel sea."
"Most gladly will I help you if I can, though I have little powerto 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 dailyon the shore, and if I do not come again, then you will know my searchhas been in vain. Farewell, poor mother, you shall see your littlechild again, if Fairy power can win him back." And with thesecheering words Ripple sprang into the sea; while, smiling through hertears, the woman watched the gentle Spirit, till her bright crownvanished 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 thepromise 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 seato 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 pitythe poor mother, and would most gladly help her; but alas! I am aSpirit like yourself, and cannot serve you as I long to do."
"Ah, dear Queen! if you had seen her sorrow, you too would seek tokeep the promise I have made. I cannot let her watch for ME invain, till I have done my best: then tell me where the Fire-Spiritsdwell, and I will ask of them the flame that shall give life to thelittle 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 everdared to venture yet," replied the Queen. "I cannot show the path,for it is through the air. Dear Ripple, do not go, for you cannever 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 besoughtso earnestly, and with such pleading words, that the Queen at lastwith sorrow gave consent, and Ripple joyfully prepared to go. She,with her sister Spirits, built up a tomb of delicate, bright-coloredshells, wherein the child might lie, till she should come to wake himinto life; then, praying them to watch most faithfully above it,she said farewell, and floated bravely forth, on her long, unknownjourney, 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 Rippleto herself, as she went dancing over the waves, which bore her swiftlyonward towards a distant shore.
Long she journeyed through the pathless ocean, with no friendsto cheer her, save the white sea-birds who went sweeping by, andonly stayed to dip their wide wings at her side, and then flewsilently away. Sometimes great ships sailed by, and then withlonging eyes did the little Spirit gaze up at the faces that lookeddown upon the sea; for often they were kind and pleasant ones, andshe gladly would have called to them and asked them to be friends.But they would never understand the strange, sweet language thatshe spoke, or even see the lovely face that smiled at them above thewaves; 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 shefloated on her way, and left them far behind.
At length green hills were seen, and the waves gladly bore the littleSpirit on,
till, rippling gently over soft white sand, they left heron the pleasant shore.
"Ah, what a lovely place it is!" said Ripple, as she passed throughsunny valleys, where flowers began to bloom, and young leaves rustledon the trees.
"Why are you all so gay, dear birds?" she asked, as their cheerfulvoices 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 itdays ago, and we are learning the sweetest songs, to welcome herwhen she shall come," sang the lark, soaring away as the music gushedfrom his little throat.
"And shall I see her, Violet, as she journeys over the earth?" askedRipple 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 herback," said the blue flower, dancing for joy on her stem, as shenodded and smiled on the Spirit.
"I will ask Spring where the Fire-Spirits dwell; she travels overthe 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 breezesfloated before, and then, with her white garments covered withflowers, with wreaths in her hair, and dew-drops and seeds fallingfast 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; andthen 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 youthere; but Summer is coming behind me," said Spring, "and she may knowbetter 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 arecalling me far and wide, and I cannot stay."
"Many thanks, kind Spring!" cried Ripple, as she floated away on thebreeze; "give a kindly word to the mother who waits on the shore, andtell 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 wentswiftly over hill and vale, till she came to the land where Summerwas dwelling. Here the sun shone warmly down on the early fruit,the winds blew freshly over fields of fragrant hay, and rustled witha pleasant sound among the green leaves in the forests; heavy dewsfell softly down at night, and long, bright days brought strengthand beauty to the blossoming earth.
"Now I must seek for Summer," said Ripple, as she sailed slowlythrough the sunny sky.
"I am here, what would you with me, little Spirit?" said a musicalvoice in her ear; and, floating by her side, she saw a graceful form,with green robes fluttering in the air, whose pleasant face lookedkindly on her, from beneath a crown of golden sunbeams that casta warm, bright glow on all beneath.
Then Ripple told her tale, and asked where she should go; butSummer answered,--
"I can tell no more than my young sister Spring where you may findthe Spirits that you seek; but I too, like her, will give a gift toaid you. Take this sunbeam from my crown; it will cheer and brightenthe most gloomy path through which you pass. Farewell! I shall carrytidings of you to the watcher by the sea, if in my journey round theworld I find her there."
And Summer, giving her the sunbeam, passed away over the distanthills, leaving all green and bright behind her.
So Ripple journeyed on again, till the earth below her shonewith yellow harvests waving in the sun, and the air was filledwith cheerful voices, as the reapers sang among the fields or inthe pleasant vineyards, where purple fruit hung gleaming throughthe leaves; while the sky above was cloudless, and the changingforest-trees shone like a many-colored garland, over hill and plain;and here, along the ripening corn-fields, with bright wreaths ofcrimson leaves and golden wheat-ears in her hair and on her purplemantle, 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 shesought, 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 knowsthe Fire-Spirits well, for when he comes they fly to the earth,to warm and comfort those dwelling there; and perhaps he can tell youwhere they are. So take this gift of mine, and when you meet hischilly winds, fold it about you, and sit warm beneath its shelter,till you come to sunlight again. I will carry comfort to thepatient woman, as my sisters have already done, and tell her you arefaithful 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 thelittle Water-Spirit did not know that Winter spread a soft whitecovering above their beds, that they might safely sleep below tillSpring should waken them again. So she went sorrowfully on, tillWinter, riding on the strong North-Wind, came rushing by, witha sparkling ice-crown in his streaming hair, while from beneath hiscrimson 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 comeso bravely here amid my ice and snow? Do not fear me; I am warmat heart, though rude and cold without," said Winter, looking kindlyon 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 thesunlight dimly shone through the heavy clouds, saying,--
"Far off there, beside the sun, is the Fire-Spirits' home; and theonly 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, wilfulthings, and in their play may harm and trouble you. Come back withme, and do not go this dangerous journey to the sky. I'll gladlybear 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! Journeybravely on, and take this snow-flake that will never melt, as MYgift," Winter cried, as the North-Wind bore him on, leaving a cloudof 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 shallgo before to light the way, Yellow-leaf shall shelter me from heat andrain, 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 mistfilled the air but the Sunbeam, like a star, lit up the way, the leaflay warmly round her, and the tireless wind went swiftly on. Higherand higher they floated up, still darker and darker grew the air,closer the damp mist gathered, while the black clouds rolled andtossed, like great waves, to and fro.
"Ah!" sighed the weary little Spirit, "shall I never see the lightagain, 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; butthe 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 shoneupon her pleasantly; so she went gayly on, till she came up amongthe stars, where many new, strange sights were to be seen. Withwondering eyes she looked upon the bright worlds that once seemed dimand distant, when she gazed upon them from the sea; but now they movedaround her, som
e shining with a softly radiant light, some circledwith 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 facesseemed to look upon her as she passed; but higher up still, nearerto the sun, she saw a far-off light, that glittered like a brilliantcrimson star, and seemed to cast a rosy glow along the sky.
"The Fire-Spirits surely must be there, and I must stay no longerhere," said Ripple. So steadily she floated on, till straightbefore 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 drewnear, brighter glowed the sky, hotter and hotter grew the air, tillRipple's leaf-cloak shrivelled up, and could no longer shield her fromthe heat; then she unfolded the white snow-flake, and, gladly wrappingthe soft, cool mantle round her, entered through the shining arch.
Through the red mist that floated all around her, she could seehigh walls of changing light, where orange, blue, and violet flameswent flickering to and fro, making graceful figures as they dancedand glowed; and underneath these rainbow arches, little Spiritsglided, far and near, wearing crowns of fire, beneath which flashedtheir wild, bright eyes; and as they spoke, sparks dropped quicklyfrom their lips, and Ripple saw with wonder, through their garmentsof transparent light, that in each Fairy's breast there burned asteady flame, that never wavered or went out.
As thus she stood, the Spirits gathered round her, and theirhot breath would have scorched her, but she drew the snow-cloakcloser round her, saying,--
"Take me to your Queen, that I may tell her why I am here, and askfor what I seek."
So, through long halls of many-colored fire, they led her toa Spirit fairer than the rest, whose crown of flames waved to and frolike golden plumes, while, underneath her violet robe, the lightwithin 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 searchof them, how the Seasons had most kindly helped her on, by givingSun-beam, Breeze, Leaf, and Flake; and how, through many dangers, shehad come at last to ask of them the magic flame that could give lifeto the little child again.
When she had told her tale, the spirits whispered earnestlyamong 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 partof it from our own breasts; and this we will not do, for the brighterour bosom-fire burns, the lovelier we are. So do not ask us for thisthing; but any other gift we will most gladly give, for we feel kindlytowards you, and will serve you if we may."
But Ripple asked no other boon, and, weeping sadly, begged themnot 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 yourown breasts, and surely they will glow the brighter for this kindlydeed; 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 herneck, replied,--
"If you will give me those bright, sparkling stones, I will bestow onyou a part of my own flame; for we have no such lovely things to wearabout our necks, and I desire much to have them. Will you give it mefor what I offer, little Spirit?"
Joyfully Ripple gave her the chain; but, as soon as it touched herhand, the jewels melted like snow, and fell in bright drops to theground; at this the Queen's eyes flashed, and the Spirits gatheredangrily about poor Ripple, who looked sadly at the broken chain,and thought in vain what she could give, to win the thing she longedso 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 grantmy prayer, and give me what I seek," she said, turning gently tothe fiery Spirits, who were hovering fiercely round her.
"You must bring us each a jewel that will never vanish from our handsas 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 thejewels you can gather from the depths of the sea, that we may try themhere among the flames; but if they melt away like these, then we shallkeep you prisoner, till you give us back the light we lend. If youconsent to this, then take our gift, and journey home again; butfail not to return, or we shall seek you out."
And Ripple said she would consent, though she knew not if the jewelscould be found; still, thinking of the promise she had made, sheforgot all else, and told the Spirits what they asked most surelyshould be done. So each one gave a little of the fire from theirbreasts, and placed the flame in a crystal vase, through whichit shone and glittered like a star.
Then, bidding her remember all she had promised them, they led herto the golden arch, and said farewell.
So, down along the shining path, through mist and cloud, shetravelled back; till, far below, she saw the broad blue sea she leftso long ago.
Gladly she plunged into the clear, cool waves, and floated backto 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 bravelycarried on." So to the quiet tomb they went, where, like a marbleimage, cold and still, the little child was lying. Then Ripple placedthe flame upon his breast, and watched it gleam and sparkle there,while light came slowly back into the once dim eyes, a rosy glow shoneover the pale face, and breath stole through the parted lips; stillbrighter and warmer burned the magic fire, until the child awokefrom his long sleep, and looked in smiling wonder at the faces bendingover him.
Then Ripple sang for joy, and, with her sister Spirits, robed thechild in graceful garments, woven of bright sea-weed, while inhis 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 safelyup 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, wherethe fresh winds played among her falling hair, and the waves brokesparkling at her feet, the lonely mother still stood, gazing wistfullyacross the sea. Suddenly, upon a great blue billow that came rollingin, she saw the Water-Spirits smiling on her; and high aloft, in theirwhite gleaming arms, her child stretched forth his hands to welcomeher; while the little voice she so longed to hear again cried gayly,--
"See, dear mother, I am come; and look what lovely things thegentle Spirits gave, that I might seem more beautiful to you."
Then gently the great wave broke, and rolled back to the sea, leavingRipple on the shore, and the child clasped in his mother's arms.
"O faithful little Spirit! I would gladly give some precious giftto show my gratitude for this kind deed; but I have nothing savethis chain of little pearls: they are the tears I shed, and the seahas changed them thus, that I might offer them to you," the happymother 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 fairestornament," 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 beneaththe waves.
And now another task was to be done; her promise to theFire-Spirits must be kept. So far and wide she searched amongthe caverns of the sea, and gathered all the brightest jewelsshining there; and then upon her faithful Breeze once more wentjourneying through the sky.
The Spirits gladly welcomed her, and led her to the Queen,before whom she poured out the sparkling gems she had gatheredwith such toil and care; but when the Spirits tried to form theminto crowns, they trickled from their hands like colored drops of dew,and Ripple saw with fear and so
rrow how they melted one by one away,till none of all the many she had brought remained. Then theFire-Spirits looked upon her angrily, and when she begged themto be merciful, and let her try once more, saying,--
"Do not keep me prisoner here. I cannot breathe the flames thatgive 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 mesome other task, but let me go from this warm place, where all isstrange and fearful to a Spirit of the sea."
They would not listen; and drew nearer, saying, while bright sparksshowered from their lips, "We will not let you go, for you havepromised to be ours if the gems you brought proved worthless; so flingaway 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 youfor the child."
Then Ripple sank down on the burning floor, and felt that her lifewas nearly done; for she well knew the hot air of the fire-palacewould be death to her. The Spirits gathered round, and began to lifther mantle off; but underneath they saw the pearl chain, shining witha clear, soft light, that only glowed more brightly when they laidtheir 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 glittersin our hands. If we may but have this, all will be well, and youare once more free."
And Ripple, safe again beneath her snow flake, gladly gavethe chain to them; and told them how the pearls they now placedproudly on their breasts were formed of tears, which but for themmight 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 waslike a wound to her.
"Then, if we may not tell our pleasure so, we will show it in adifferent way, and give you a pleasant journey home. Come out withus," 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 gladlystay yet longer, but we cannot dwell together, and I am longing sadlyfor my own cool home. Now Sunbeam, Breeze, Leaf, and Flake, fly backto the Seasons whence you came, and tell them that, thanks to theirkind gifts, Ripple's work at last is done."
Then down along the shining pathway spread before her, the happylittle Spirit glided to the sea.
"Thanks, dear Summer-Wind," said the Queen; "we will remember thelessons 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 leaveswere 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 Elvesspread 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.
Flower Fables Page 7
