`` Gladly will I aid you , Annie , and if you truly wish to be a happy child , you first must learn to conquer many passions that you cherish now , and make your heart a home for gentle feelings and happy thoughts ; the task is hard , but I will give this fairy flower to help and counsel you . Bend hither , that I may place it in your breast ; no hand can take it hence , till I unsay the spell that holds it there . '' As thus she spoke , the Elf took from her bosom a graceful flower , whose snow-white leaves shone with a strange , soft light . `` This is a fairy flower , '' said the Elf , `` invisible to every eye save yours ; now listen while I tell its power , Annie . When your heart is filled with loving thoughts , when some kindly deed has been done , some duty well performed , then from the flower there will arise the sweetest , softest fragrance , to reward and gladden you . But when an unkind word is on your lips , when a selfish , angry feeling rises in your heart , or an unkind , cruel deed is to be done , then will you hear the soft , low chime of the flower-bell ; listen to its warning , let the word remain unspoken , the deed undone , and in the quiet joy of your own heart , and the magic perfume of your bosom flower , you will find a sweet reward . '' `` O kind and generous Fairy , how can I ever thank you for this lovely gift ! '' cried Annie . `` I will be true , and listen to my little bell whenever it may ring . But shall I never see YOU more ? Ah ! if you would only stay with me , I should indeed be good . '' `` I can not stay now , little Annie , '' said the Elf , `` but when another Spring comes round , I shall be here again , to see how well the fairy gift has done its work . And now farewell , dear child ; be faithful to yourself , and the magic flower will never fade . '' Then the gentle Fairy folded her little arms around Annie 's neck , laid a soft kiss on her cheek , and , spreading wide her shining wings , flew singing up among the white clouds floating in the sky . And little Annie sat among her flowers , and watched with wondering joy the fairy blossom shining on her breast . The pleasant days of Spring and Summer passed away , and in little Annie 's garden Autumn flowers were blooming everywhere , with each day 's sun and dew growing still more beautiful and bright ; but the fairy flower , that should have been the loveliest of all , hung pale and drooping on little Annie 's bosom ; its fragrance seemed quite gone , and the clear , low music of its warning chime rang often in her ear . When first the Fairy placed it there , she had been pleased with her new gift , and for a while obeyed the fairy bell , and often tried to win some fragrance from the flower , by kind and pleasant words and actions ; then , as the Fairy said , she found a sweet reward in the strange , soft perfume of the magic blossom , as it shone upon her breast ; but selfish thoughts would come to tempt her , she would yield , and unkind words fell from her lips ; and then the flower drooped pale and scentless , the fairy bell rang mournfully , Annie would forget her better resolutions , and be again a selfish , wilful little child . At last she tried no longer , but grew angry with the faithful flower , and would have torn it from her breast ; but the fairy spell still held it fast , and all her angry words but made it ring a louder , sadder peal . Then she paid no heed to the silvery music sounding in her ear , and each day grew still more unhappy , discontented , and unkind ; so , when the Autumn days came round , she was no better for the gentle Fairy 's gift , and longed for Spring , that it might be returned ; for now the constant echo of the mournful music made her very sad .
One sunny morning , when the fresh , cool Winds were blowing , and not a cloud was in the sky , little XXXXX walked among her flowers , looking carefully into each , hoping thus to find the Fairy , who alone could take the magic blossom from her breast .
Annie Elf bell chime day days first flower-bell heart lips