One day , when a fearful storm raged far and wide , and the Spirits saw great billows rolling like heavy clouds above their heads , and heard the wild winds sounding far away , down through the foaming waves a little child came floating to their home ; its eyes were closed as if in sleep , the long hair fell like sea-weed round its pale , cold face , and the little hands still clasped the shells they had been gathering on the beach , when the great waves swept it into the troubled sea . With tender tears the Spirits laid the little form to rest upon its bed of flowers , and , singing mournful songs , as if to make its sleep more calm and deep , watched long and lovingly above it , till the storm had died away , and all was still again . While Ripple sang above the little child , through the distant roar of winds and waves she heard a wild , sorrowing voice , that seemed to call for help . Long she listened , thinking it was but the echo of their own plaintive song , but high above the music still sounded the sad , wailing cry . Then , stealing silently away , she glided up through foam and spray , till , through the parting clouds , the sunlight shone upon her from the tranquil sky ; and , guided by the mournful sound , she floated on , till , close before her on the beach , she saw a woman stretching forth her arms , and with a sad , imploring voice praying the restless sea to give her back the little child it had so cruelly borne away . But the waves dashed foaming up among the bare rocks at her feet , mingling their cold spray with her tears , and gave no answer to her prayer . When Ripple saw the mother 's grief , she longed to comfort her ; so , bending tenderly beside her , where she knelt upon the shore , the little Spirit told her how her child lay softly sleeping , far down in a lovely place , where sorrowing tears were shed , and gentle hands laid garlands over him . But all in vain she whispered kindly words ; the weeping mother only cried , -- `` Dear Spirit , can you use no charm or spell to make the waves bring back my child , as full of life and strength as when they swept him from my side ? O give me back my little child , or let me lie beside him in the bosom of the cruel sea . '' `` Most gladly will I help you if I can , though I have little power to use ; then grieve no more , for I will search both earth and sea , to find some friend who can bring back all you have lost . Watch daily on the shore , and if I do not come again , then you will know my search has been in vain . Farewell , poor mother , you shall see your little child again , if Fairy power can win him back . '' And with these cheering words Ripple sprang into the sea ; while , smiling through her tears , the woman watched the gentle Spirit , till her bright crown vanished in the waves . When Ripple reached her home , she hastened to the palace of the Queen , and told her of the little child , the sorrowing mother , and the promise she had made . `` Good little Ripple , '' said the Queen , when she had told her all , `` your promise never can be kept ; there is no power below the sea to work this charm , and you can never reach the Fire-Spirits ' home , to win from them a flame to warm the little body into life . I pity the poor mother , and would most gladly help her ; but alas ! I am a Spirit like yourself , and can not serve you as I long to do . '' `` Ah , dear Queen ! if you had seen her sorrow , you too would seek to keep the promise I have made . I can not let her watch for ME in vain , till I have done my best : then tell me where the Fire-Spirits dwell , and I will ask of them the flame that shall give life to the little child and such great happiness to the sad , lonely mother : tell me the path , and let me go . ''
`` It is far , far away , high up above the sun , where no Spirit ever dared to venture yet , '' replied the XXXXX .
Fire-Spirits Queen Ripple daily day garlands hair sleep stealing storm