Then , stealing silently away , she glided up through foam and spray , till , through the parting clouds , the sunlight shone upon her from the tranquil sky ; and , guided by the mournful sound , she floated on , till , close before her on the beach , she saw a woman stretching forth her arms , and with a sad , imploring voice praying the restless sea to give her back the little child it had so cruelly borne away . But the waves dashed foaming up among the bare 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 down in a lovely place , where sorrowing tears were shed , and gentle hands laid 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 bring back my child , as full of life and strength as when they swept him from my side ? O give me back my little child , or let me lie beside him in the bosom of the cruel sea . '' `` Most gladly will I help you if I can , though I have little power to 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 daily on the shore , and if I do not come again , then you will know my search has been in vain . Farewell , poor mother , you shall see your little child again , if Fairy power can win him back . '' And with these cheering words Ripple sprang into the sea ; while , smiling through her tears , the woman watched the gentle Spirit , till her bright crown vanished 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 the promise 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 sea to 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 pity the poor mother , and would most gladly help her ; but alas ! I am a Spirit like yourself , and can not serve you as I long to do . '' `` Ah , dear Queen ! if you had seen her sorrow , you too would seek to keep the promise I have made . I can not let her watch for ME in vain , till I have done my best : then tell me where the Fire-Spirits dwell , and I will ask of them the flame that shall give life to the little 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 ever dared to venture yet , '' replied the Queen . `` I can not show the path , for it is through the air . Dear Ripple , do not go , for you can never 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 more of this , for I can never let you go . ''
But Ripple would not break the promise she had made , and besought so earnestly , and with such pleading words , that the XXXXX at last with sorrow gave consent , and Ripple joyfully prepared to go .
Fire-Spirits Queen Ripple daily earth garlands palace prayer sea stealing