So better and happier grew the child , fairer and sweeter grew the flower , till Spring came smiling over the earth , and woke the flowers , set free the streams , and welcomed back the birds ; then daily did the happy child sit among her flowers , longing for the gentle Elf to come again , that she might tell her gratitude for all the magic gift had done . At length , one day , as she sat singing in the sunny nook where all her fairest flowers bloomed , weary with gazing at the far-off sky for the little form she hoped would come , she bent to look with joyful love upon her bosom flower ; and as she looked , its folded leaves spread wide apart , and , rising slowly from the deep white cup , appeared the smiling face of the lovely Elf whose coming she had waited for so long . `` Dear Annie , look for me no longer ; I am here on your own breast , for you have learned to love my gift , and it has done its work most faithfully and well , '' the Fairy said , as she looked into the happy child 's bright face , and laid her little arms most tenderly about her neck . `` And now have I brought another gift from Fairy-Land , as a fit reward for you , dear child , '' she said , when Annie had told all her gratitude and love ; then , touching the child with her shining wand , the Fairy bid her look and listen silently . And suddenly the world seemed changed to Annie ; for the air was filled with strange , sweet sounds , and all around her floated lovely forms . In every flower sat little smiling Elves , singing gayly as they rocked amid the leaves . On every breeze , bright , airy spirits came floating by ; some fanned her cheek with their cool breath , and waved her long hair to and fro , while others rang the flower-bells , and made a pleasant rustling among the leaves . In the fountain , where the water danced and sparkled in the sun , astride of every drop she saw merry little spirits , who plashed and floated in the clear , cool waves , and sang as gayly as the flowers , on whom they scattered glittering dew . The tall trees , as their branches rustled in the wind , sang a low , dreamy song , while the waving grass was filled with little voices she had never heard before . Butterflies whispered lovely tales in her ear , and birds sang cheerful songs in a sweet language she had never understood before . Earth and air seemed filled with beauty and with music she had never dreamed of until now . `` O tell me what it means , dear Fairy ! is it another and a lovelier dream , or is the earth in truth so beautiful as this ? '' she cried , looking with wondering joy upon the Elf , who lay upon the flower in her breast . `` Yes , it is true , dear child , '' replied the Fairy , `` and few are the mortals to whom we give this lovely gift ; what to you is now so full of music and of light , to others is but a pleasant summer world ; they never know the language of butterfly or bird or flower , and they are blind to all that I have given you the power to see . These fair things are your friends and playmates now , and they will teach you many pleasant lessons , and give you many happy hours ; while the garden where you once sat , weeping sad and bitter tears , is now brightened by your own happiness , filled with loving friends by your own kindly thoughts and feelings ; and thus rendered a pleasant summer home for the gentle , happy child , whose bosom flower will never fade . And now , dear Annie , I must go ; but every Springtime , with the earliest flowers , will I come again to visit you , and bring some fairy gift . Guard well the magic flower , that I may find all fair and bright when next I come . '' Then , with a kind farewell , the gentle Fairy floated upward through the sunny air , smiling down upon the child , until she vanished in the soft , white clouds , and little Annie stood alone in her enchanted garden , where all was brightened with the radiant light , and fragrant with the perfume of her fairy flower . When Moonlight ceased , Summer-Wind laid down her rose-leaf fan , and , leaning back in her acorn cup , told this tale of RIPPLE , THE WATER-SPIRIT .
DOWN in the deep blue sea lived Ripple , a happy little Water-Spirit ; all XXXXX long she danced beneath the coral arches , made garlands of bright ocean flowers , or floated on the great waves that sparkled in the sunlight ; but the pastime that she loved best was lying in the many-colored shells upon the shore , listening to the low , murmuring music the waves had taught them long ago ; and here for hours the little Spirit lay watching the sea and sky , while singing gayly to herself .
Elves Fairy-Land WATER-SPIRIT acorn daily day fro hours nook rose-leaf