But the daisies had spoken truly ; the gentle little flower was dead , and her blue-eyed sisters were weeping bitterly over her faded leaves . `` Now I have no friends , '' sighed poor Thistledown , `` and must die of cold . Ah , if I had but minded Lily-Bell , I might now be dreaming beneath some flower 's leaves . '' `` Others can forgive and love , beside Lily-Bell and Violet , '' said a faint , sweet voice ; `` I have no little bud to shelter now , and you can enter here . '' It was the rose mother that spoke , and Thistle saw how pale the bright leaves had grown , and how the slender stem was bowed . Grieved , ashamed , and wondering at the flower 's forgiving words , he laid his weary head on the bosom he had filled with sorrow , and the fragrant leaves were folded carefully about him . But he could find no rest . The rose strove to comfort him ; but when she fancied he was sleeping , thoughts of her lost bud stole in , and the little heart beat so sadly where he lay , that no sleep came ; while the bitter tears he had caused to flow fell more coldly on him than the rain without . Then he heard the other flowers whispering among themselves of his cruelty , and the sorrow he had brought to their happy home ; and many wondered how the rose , who had suffered most , could yet forgive and shelter him . `` Never could I forgive one who had robbed me of my children . I could bow my head and die , but could give no happiness to one who had taken all my own , '' said Hyacinth , bending fondly over the little ones that blossomed by her side . `` Dear Violet is not the only one who will leave us , '' sobbed little Mignonette ; `` the rose mother will fade like her little bud , and we shall lose our gentlest teacher . Her last lesson is forgiveness ; let us show our love for her , and the gentle stranger Lily-Bell , by allowing no unkind word or thought of him who has brought us all this grief . '' The angry words were hushed , and through the long night nothing was heard but the dropping of the rain , and the low sighs of the rose . Soon the sunlight came again , and with it Lily-Bell seeking for Thistledown ; but he was ashamed , and stole away . When the flowers told their sorrow to kind-hearted Lily-Bell , she wept bitterly at the pain her friend had given , and with loving words strove to comfort those whom he had grieved ; with gentle care she healed the wounded birds , and watched above the flowers he had harmed , bringing each day dew and sunlight to refresh and strengthen , till all were well again ; and though sorrowing for their dead friends , still they forgave Thistle for the sake of her who had done so much for them . Thus , erelong , buds fairer than that she had lost lay on the rose mother 's breast , and for all she had suffered she was well repaid by the love of Lily-Bell and her sister flowers . And when bird , bee , and blossom were strong and fair again , the gentle Fairy said farewell , and flew away to seek her friend , leaving behind many grateful hearts , who owed their joy and life to her . Meanwhile , over hill and dale went Thistledown , and for a time was kind and gentle to every living thing . He missed sadly the little friend who had left her happy home to watch over him , but he was too proud to own his fault , and so went on , hoping she would find him .
One XXXXX he fell asleep , and when he woke the sun had set , and the dew began to fall ; the flower-cups were closed , and he had nowhere to go , till a friendly little bee , belated by his heavy load of honey , bid the weary Fairy come with him .
Grieved Hyacinth Lily-Bell Mignonette Thistle Thistledown day erelong left night