On and on , over hill and valley , they went , chasing the gay butterflies , or listening to the bees , as they flew from flower to flower like busy little housewives , singing as they worked ; till at last they reached a pleasant garden , filled with flowers and green , old trees . `` See , '' cried Thistledown , `` what a lovely home is here ; let us rest among the cool leaves , and hear the flowers sing , for I am sadly tired and hungry . '' So into the quiet garden they went , and the winds gayly welcomed them , while the flowers nodded on their stems , offering their bright leaves for the Elves to rest upon , and fresh , sweet honey to refresh them . `` Now , dear Thistle , do not harm these friendly blossoms , '' said Lily-Bell ; `` see how kindly they spread their leaves , and offer us their dew . It would be very wrong in you to repay their care with cruelty and pain . You will be tender for my sake , dear Thistle . '' Then she went among the flowers , and they bent lovingly before her , and laid their soft leaves against her little face , that she might see how glad they were to welcome one so good and gentle , and kindly offered their dew and honey to the weary little Fairy , who sat among their fragrant petals and looked smilingly on the happy blossoms , who , with their soft , low voices , sang her to sleep . While Lily-Bell lay dreaming among the rose-leaves , Thistledown went wandering through the garden . First he robbed the bees of their honey , and rudely shook the little flowers , that he might get the dew they had gathered to bathe their buds in . Then he chased the bright winged flies , and wounded them with the sharp thorn he carried for a sword ; he broke the spider 's shining webs , lamed the birds , and soon wherever he passed lay wounded insects and drooping flowers ; while the winds carried the tidings over the garden , and bird and blossom looked upon him as an evil spirit , and fled away or closed their leaves , lest he should harm them . Thus he went , leaving sorrow and pain behind him , till he came to the roses where Lily-Bell lay sleeping . There , weary of his cruel sport , he stayed to rest beneath a graceful rose-tree , where grew one blooming flower and a tiny bud . `` Why are you so slow in blooming , little one ? You are too old to be rocked in your green cradle longer , and should be out among your sister flowers , '' said Thistle , as he lay idly in the shadow of the tree . `` My little bud is not yet strong enough to venture forth , '' replied the rose , as she bent fondly over it ; `` the sunlight and the rain would blight her tender form , were she to blossom now , but soon she will be fit to bear them ; till then she is content to rest beside her mother , and to wait . '' `` You silly flower , '' said Thistledown , `` see how quickly I will make you bloom ! your waiting is all useless . '' And speaking thus , he pulled rudely apart the folded leaves , and laid them open to the sun and air ; while the rose mother implored the cruel Fairy to leave her little bud untouched . `` It is my first , my only one , '' said she , `` and I have watched over it with such care , hoping it would soon bloom beside me ; and now you have destroyed it . How could you harm the little helpless one , that never did aught to injure you ? ''
And while her tears fell like summer rain , she drooped in grief above the little bud , and sadly watched it fading in the sunlight ; but XXXXX , heedless of the sorrow he had given , spread his wings and flew away .
Elves First Lily-Bell Thistle Thistledown honey rose-leaves rose-tree spider webs