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 can not 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 XXXXX fountains , and help us bring back to our bosom flames the light we gave you for the child . ''
Queen Water-Spirit Water-Spirits billow fire fro garlands left sea-weed snow-mantle