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 can not 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 XXXXX , 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 .
Daisy Elves Evening Frost-King Primrose Queen Violet left night strawberry