Then from the vine-leaves two little arms were stretched out to her , and Thistledown was found . So Lily-Bell made her home in the shadow of the vine , and brought such joy to Thistle , that his lonely cell seemed pleasanter to him than all the world beside ; and he grew daily more like his gentle friend . But it did not last long , for one day she did not come . He watched and waited long , for the little face that used to peep smiling in through the vine-leaves . He called and beckoned through the narrow opening , but no Lily-Bell answered ; and he wept sadly as he thought of all she had done for him , and that now he could not go to seek and help her , for he had lost his freedom by his own cruel and wicked deeds . At last he besought the silent Brownie earnestly to tell him whither she had gone . `` O let me go to her , '' prayed Thistle ; `` if she is in sorrow , I will comfort her , and show my gratitude for all she has done for me : dear Brownie , set me free , and when she is found I will come and be your prisoner again . I will bear and suffer any danger for her sake . '' `` Lily-Bell is safe , '' replied the Brownie ; `` come , you shall learn the trial that awaits you . '' Then he led the wondering Fairy from his prison , to a group of tall , drooping ferns , beneath whose shade a large white lily had been placed , forming a little tent , within which , on a couch of thick green moss , lay Lily-Bell in a deep sleep ; the sunlight stole softly in , and all was cool and still . `` You can not wake her , '' said the Brownie , as Thistle folded his arms tenderly about her . `` It is a magic slumber , and she will not wake till you shall bring hither gifts from the Earth , Air , and Water Spirits . ' T is a long and weary task , for you have made no friends to help you , and will have to seek for them alone . This is the trial we shall give you ; and if your love for Lily-Bell be strong enough to keep you from all cruelty and selfishness , and make you kind and loving as you should be , she will awake to welcome you , and love you still more fondly than before . '' Then Thistle , with a last look on the little friend he loved so well , set forth alone to his long task . The home of the Earth Spirits was the first to find , and no one would tell him where to look . So far and wide he wandered , through gloomy forests and among lonely hills , with none to cheer him when sad and weary , none to guide him on his way . On he went , thinking of Lily-Bell , and for her sake bearing all ; for in his quiet prison many gentle feelings and kindly thoughts had sprung up in his heart , and he now strove to be friends with all , and win for himself the love and confidence of those whom once he sought to harm and cruelly destroy . But few believed him ; for they remembered his false promises and evil deeds , and would not trust him now ; so poor Thistle found few to love or care for him . Long he wandered , and carefully he sought ; but could not find the Earth Spirits ' home .
And when at length he reached the pleasant garden where he and Lily-Bell XXXXX parted , he said within himself , -- `` Here I will stay awhile , and try to win by kindly deeds the flowers ' forgiveness for the pain and sorrow I brought them long ago ; and they may learn to love and trust me .
Air Brownie Earth Lily-Bell Thistle Thistledown daily day first vine-leaves