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 XXXXX , I must go ; but every Springtime , with the earliest flowers , will I come again to visit you , and bring some fairy gift .
Annie Elf Fairy-Land daily day fro good-morrows hours nook sunbeam