She , with her sister Spirits , built up a tomb of delicate , bright-colored shells , wherein the child might lie , till she should come to wake him into life ; then , praying them to watch most faithfully above it , she said farewell , and floated bravely forth , on her long , unknown journey , far away . `` I will search the broad earth till I find a path up to the sun , or some kind friend who will carry me ; for , alas ! I have no wings , and can not glide through the blue air as through the sea , '' said Ripple to herself , as she went dancing over the waves , which bore her swiftly onward towards a distant shore . Long she journeyed through the pathless ocean , with no friends to cheer her , save the white sea-birds who went sweeping by , and only stayed to dip their wide wings at her side , and then flew silently away . Sometimes great ships sailed by , and then with longing eyes did the little Spirit gaze up at the faces that looked down upon the sea ; for often they were kind and pleasant ones , and she gladly would have called to them and asked them to be friends . But they would never understand the strange , sweet language that she spoke , or even see the lovely face that smiled at them above the waves ; her blue , transparent garments were but water to their eyes , and the pearl chains in her hair but foam and sparkling spray ; so , hoping that the sea would be most gentle with them , silently she floated on her way , and left them far behind . At length green hills were seen , and the waves gladly bore the little Spirit on , till , rippling gently over soft white sand , they left her on the pleasant shore . `` Ah , what a lovely place it is ! '' said Ripple , as she passed through sunny valleys , where flowers began to bloom , and young leaves rustled on the trees . `` Why are you all so gay , dear birds ? '' she asked , as their cheerful voices sounded far and near ; `` is there a festival over the earth , that all is so beautiful and bright ? '' `` Do you not know that Spring is coming ? The warm winds whispered it days ago , and we are learning the sweetest songs , to welcome her when she shall come , '' sang the lark , soaring away as the music gushed from his little throat . `` And shall I see her , Violet , as she journeys over the earth ? '' asked Ripple again . `` Yes , you will meet her soon , for the sunlight told me she was near ; tell her we long to see her again , and are waiting to welcome her back , '' said the blue flower , dancing for joy on her stem , as she nodded and smiled on the Spirit . `` I will ask Spring where the Fire-Spirits dwell ; she travels over the earth each year , and surely can show me the way , '' thought Ripple , as she went journeying on . 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 XXXXX ' 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 .
Fire-Spirits Ripple air birds dew-drops left sea sea-birds sunbeams year