Soon she saw Spring come smiling over the earth ; sunbeams and breezes floated before , and then , with her white garments covered with flowers , with wreaths in her hair , and dew-drops and seeds falling fast from her hands the beautiful season came singing by . `` Dear Spring , will you listen , and help a poor little Spirit , who seeks far and wide for the Fire-Spirits ' home ? '' cried Ripple ; and then told why she was there , and begged her to tell what she sought . `` The Fire-Spirits ' home is far , far away , and I can not guide you there ; but Summer is coming behind me , '' said Spring , `` and she may know better than I . But I will give you a breeze to help you on your way ; it will never tire nor fail , but bear you easily over land and sea . Farewell , little Spirit ! I would gladly do more , but voices are calling me far and wide , and I can not stay . '' `` Many thanks , kind Spring ! '' cried Ripple , as she floated away on the breeze ; `` give a kindly word to the mother who waits on the shore , and tell her I have not forgotten my vow , but hope soon to see her again . '' Then Spring flew on with her sunshine and flowers , and Ripple went swiftly over hill and vale , till she came to the land where Summer was dwelling . Here the sun shone warmly down on the early fruit , the winds blew freshly over fields of fragrant hay , and rustled with a pleasant sound among the green leaves in the forests ; heavy dews fell softly down at night , and long , bright days brought strength and beauty to the blossoming earth . `` Now I must seek for Summer , '' said Ripple , as she sailed slowly through the sunny sky . `` I am here , what would you with me , little Spirit ? '' said a musical voice in her ear ; and , floating by her side , she saw a graceful form , with green robes fluttering in the air , whose pleasant face looked kindly on her , from beneath a crown of golden sunbeams that cast a warm , bright glow on all beneath . Then Ripple told her tale , and asked where she should go ; but Summer answered , -- `` I can tell no more than my young sister Spring where you may find the Spirits that you seek ; but I too , like her , will give a gift to aid you . Take this sunbeam from my crown ; it will cheer and brighten the most gloomy path through which you pass . Farewell ! I shall carry tidings of you to the watcher by the sea , if in my journey round the world I find her there . '' And Summer , giving her the sunbeam , passed away over the distant hills , leaving all green and bright behind her . So Ripple journeyed on again , till the earth below her shone with yellow harvests waving in the sun , and the air was filled with cheerful voices , as the reapers sang among the fields or in the pleasant vineyards , where purple fruit hung gleaming through the leaves ; while the sky above was cloudless , and the changing forest-trees shone like a many-colored garland , over hill and plain ; and here , along the ripening corn-fields , with bright wreaths of crimson leaves and golden wheat-ears in her hair and on her purple mantle , stately Autumn passed , with a happy smile on her calm face , as she went scattering generous gifts from her full arms .
But when the wandering Spirit came to her , and asked for what she sought , this season , like the others , could not tell her where to go ; so , giving her a yellow leaf , Autumn said , as she passed on , -- `` Ask Winter , little Ripple , when you come to his cold home ; he knows the XXXXX well , for when he comes they fly to the earth , to warm and comfort those dwelling there ; and perhaps he can tell you where they are .
Fire-Spirits corn-fields days dew-drops dews forest-trees night sunbeam sunbeams wheat-ears