Then Thistle said farewell again to Lily-Bell , and flew far and wide among the clouds , seeking the Air Spirits ; but though he wandered till his weary wings could bear him no longer , it was in vain . So , faint and sad , he lay down to rest on a broad vine-leaf , that fluttered gently in the wind ; and as he lay , he saw beneath him the home of the kind bees whom he had so disturbed , and Lily-Bell had helped and comforted . `` I will seek to win their pardon , and show them that I am no longer the cruel Fairy who so harmed them , '' thought Thistle , `` and when they become again my friends , I will ask their help to find the Air Spirits ; and if I deserve it , they will gladly aid me on my way . '' So he flew down into the field below , and hastened busily from flower to flower , till he had filled a tiny blue-bell with sweet , fresh honey . Then he stole softly to the hive , and , placing it near the door , concealed himself to watch . Soon his friend Nimble-Wing came flying home , and when he spied the little cup , he hummed with joy , and called his companions around him . `` Surely , some good Elf has placed it here for us , '' said they ; `` let us bear it to our Queen ; it is so fresh and fragrant it will be a fit gift for her '' ; and they joyfully took it in , little dreaming who had placed it there . So each day Thistle filled a flower-cup , and laid it at the door ; and each day the bees wondered more and more , for many strange things happened . The field-flowers told of the good spirit who watched above them , and the birds sang of the same kind little Elf bringing soft moss for their nests , and food for their hungry young ones ; while all around the hive had grown fairer since the Fairy came . But the bees never saw him , for he feared he had not yet done enough to win their forgiveness and friendship ; so he lived alone among the vines , daily bringing them honey , and doing some kindly action . At length , as he lay sleeping in a flower-bell , a little bee came wandering by , and knew him for the wicked Thistle ; so he called his friends , and , as they flew murmuring around him , he awoke . `` What shall we do to you , naughty Elf ? '' said they . `` You are in our power , and we will sting you if you are not still . '' `` Let us close the flower-leaves around him and leave him here to starve , '' cried one , who had not yet forgotten all the sorrow Thistle had caused them long ago . `` No , no , that were very cruel , dear Buzz , '' said little Hum ; `` let us take him to our Queen , and she will tell us how to show our anger for the wicked deeds he did . See how bitterly he weeps ; be kind to him , he will not harm us more . '' `` You good little Hum ! '' cried a kind-hearted robin who had hopped near to listen to the bees . `` Dear friends , do you not know that this is the good Fairy who has dwelt so quietly among us , watching over bird and blossom , giving joy to all he helps ?
It is HE who brings the honey-cup each XXXXX to you , and then goes silently away , that you may never know who works so faithfully for you .
Buzz Lily-Bell Queen Spirits Thistle blue-bell daily day flower-bell flower-cup