`` Nothing can stir me In the air or sea ; Then , how can I move , Little friend , for thee ? '' Then the waves all laughed , In their voices sweet ; And the sea-birds looked , From their rocky seat , At the bubble gay , Who angrily cried , While its round cheek glowed With a foolish pride , -- `` You shall move for me ; And you shall not mock At the words I say , You ugly , rough rock ! `` Be silent , wild birds ! Why stare you so ? Stop laughing , rude waves , And help me to go ! `` For I am the queen Of the ocean here , And this cruel stone Can not make me fear . '' Dashing fiercely up , With a scornful word , Foolish bubble broke ; But rock never stirred . Then said the sea-birds , Sitting in their nests , To the little ones Leaning on their breasts , -- `` Be not like Bubble , Headstrong , rude , and vain , Seeking by violence Your object to gain ; `` But be like the rock , Steadfast , true , and strong , Yet cheerful and kind , And firm against wrong . `` Heed , little birdlings , And wiser you 'll be For the lesson learned To-day by the sea . '' `` Well , to be sure the song has got a moral , if that silly Fancy only sees it , '' said Uncle Fact , popping up his bald head again as the song ended . `` I thank you : that 's a good little song for me . But , Lorelei , are you sorry you came to be my friend ? '' cried Fancy ; for , as she bent to lay the crown on the other 's head , she saw that she was looking wistfully down into the water that kissed her feet . `` Not yet : while you love me , I am happy , and never regret that I ceased to be a mermaid for your sake , '' answered Lorelei , laying her soft cheek against her friend 's . `` How happy I was the day my play-mermaid changed to a real one ! '' said Fancy . `` I often want to tell people all about that wonderful thing , and let them know who you really are : then they 'd love you as I do , instead of calling you a little vagabond . '' `` Few would believe our story ; and those that did would wonder at me , -- not love me as you do . They would put me in a cage , and make a show of me ; and I should be so miserable I should die . So do n't tell who I am , will you ? ''
said XXXXX earnestly .
Headstrong Lorelei Steadfast birdlings feet people sea sea-birds seat violence