Long they stayed , and many a lesson little Eva learned : but when she begged them to go back , they still led her on , saying , `` Our work is not yet done ; shall we leave so many sad hearts when we may cheer them , so many dark homes that we may brighten ? We must stay yet longer , little Eva , and you may learn yet more . '' Then they went into a dark and lonely room , and here they found a pale , sad-eyed child , who wept bitter tears over a faded flower . `` Ah , '' sighed the little one , `` it was my only friend , and I cherished it with all my lone heart 's love ; ' t was all that made my sad life happy ; and it is gone . '' Tenderly the child fastened the drooping stem , and placed it where the one faint ray of sunlight stole into the dreary room . `` Do you see , '' said the Elves , `` through this simple flower will we keep the child pure and stainless amid the sin and sorrow around her . The love of this shall lead her on through temptation and through grief , and she shall be a spirit of joy and consolation to the sinful and the sorrowing . '' And with busy love toiled the Elves amid the withered leaves , and new strength was given to the flower ; while , as day by day the friendless child watered the growing buds , deeper grew her love for the unseen friends who had given her one thing to cherish in her lonely home ; sweet , gentle thoughts filled her heart as she bent above it , and the blossom 's fragrant breath was to her a whispered voice of all fair and lovely things ; and as the flower taught her , so she taught others . The loving Elves brought her sweet dreams by night , and happy thoughts by day , and as she grew in childlike beauty , pure and patient amid poverty and sorrow , the sinful were rebuked , sorrowing hearts grew light , and the weak and selfish forgot their idle fears , when they saw her trustingly live on with none to aid or comfort her . The love she bore the tender flower kept her own heart innocent and bright , and the pure human flower was a lesson to those who looked upon it ; and soon the gloomy house was bright with happy hearts , that learned of the gentle child to bear poverty and grief as she had done , to forgive those who brought care and wrong to them , and to seek for happiness in humble deeds of charity and love . `` Our work is done , '' whispered the Elves , and with blessings on the two fair flowers , they flew away to other homes ; -- to a blind old man who dwelt alone with none to love him , till through long years of darkness and of silent sorrow the heart within had grown dim and cold . No sunlight could enter at the darkened eyes , and none were near to whisper gentle words , to cheer and comfort . Thus he dwelt forgotten and alone , seeking to give no joy to others , possessing none himself . Life was dark and sad till the untiring Elves came to his dreary home , bringing sunlight and love . They whispered sweet words of comfort , -- how , if the darkened eyes could find no light without , within there might be never-failing happiness ; gentle feelings and sweet , loving thoughts could make the heart fair , if the gloomy , selfish sorrow were but cast away , and all would be bright and beautiful . They brought light-hearted children , who gathered round him , making the desolate home fair with their young faces , and his sad heart gay with their sweet , childish voices . The love they bore he could not cast away , sunlight stole in , the dark thoughts passed away , and the earth was a pleasant home to him . Thus their little hands led him back to peace and happiness , flowers bloomed beside his door , and their fragrant breath brought happy thoughts of pleasant valleys and green hills ; birds sang to him , and their sweet voices woke the music in his own soul , that never failed to calm and comfort . Happy sounds were heard in his once lonely home , and bright faces gathered round his knee , and listened tenderly while he strove to tell them all the good that gentleness and love had done for him . Still the Elves watched near , and brighter grew the heart as kindly thoughts and tender feelings entered in , and made it their home ; and when the old man fell asleep , above his grave little feet trod lightly , and loving hands laid fragrant flowers .
Then went the XXXXX into the dreary prison-houses , where sad hearts pined in lonely sorrow for the joy and freedom they had lost .
Elves Eva day earth eyes hands home night voices years