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 day 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 . But when tempests rose , she hastened down below the stormy billows , to where all was calm and still , and with her sister Spirits waited till it should be fair again , listening sadly , meanwhile , to the cries of those whom the wild waves wrecked and cast into the angry sea , and who soon came floating down , pale and cold , to the Spirits ' pleasant home ; then they wept pitying tears above the lifeless forms , and laid them in quiet graves , where flowers bloomed , and jewels sparkled in the sand . This was Ripple 's only grief , and she often thought of those who sorrowed for the friends they loved , who now slept far down in the dim and silent coral caves , and gladly would she have saved the lives of those who lay around her ; but the great ocean was far mightier than all the tender-hearted Spirits dwelling in its bosom . Thus she could only weep for them , and lay them down to sleep where no cruel waves could harm them more . 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 XXXXX .
died hastened heard lie made rest saw smiling use wailing