Then the rose mother leaned the weary little head On her bosom to rest , and tenderly she said : `` Thou hast learned , my little bud , that , whatever may betide , Thou canst win thyself no joy by passion or by pride . The loving Father sends the sunshine and the shower , That thou mayst become a perfect little flower ; -- The sweet dews to feed thee , the soft wind to cheer , And the earth as a pleasant home , while thou art dwelling here . Then shouldst thou not be grateful for all this kindly care , And strive to keep thyself most innocent and fair ? Then seek , my little blossom , to win humility ; Be fair without , be pure within , and thou wilt happy be . So when the quiet Autumn of thy fragrant life shall come , Thou mayst pass away , to bloom in the Flower Spirits ' home . '' Then from the mother 's breast , where it still lay hid , Into the fading bud the dew-drop gently slid ; Stronger grew the little form , and happy tears fell , As the dew did its silent work , and the bud grew well , While the gentle rose leaned , with motherly pride , O'er the fair little ones that bloomed at her side . Night came again , and the fire-flies flew ; But the bud let them pass , and drank of the dew ; While the soft stars shone , from the still summer heaven , On the happy little flower that had learned the lesson given . The music-loving Elves clapped their hands , as Star-Twinkle ceased ; and the Queen placed a flower crown , with a gentle smile , upon the Fairy 's head , saying , -- `` The little bud 's lesson shall teach us how sad a thing is pride , and that humility alone can bring true happiness to flower and Fairy . You shall come next , Zephyr . '' And the little Fairy , who lay rocking to and fro upon a fluttering vine-leaf , thus began her story : -- `` As I lay resting in the bosom of a cowslip that bent above the brook , a little wind , tired of play , told me this tale of LILY-BELL AND THISTLEDOWN . ONCE upon a time , two little Fairies went out into the world , to seek their fortune . Thistledown was as gay and gallant a little Elf as ever spread a wing . His purple mantle , and doublet of green , were embroidered with the brightest threads , and the plume in his cap came always from the wing of the gayest butterfly . But he was not loved in Fairy-Land , for , like the flower whose name and colors he wore , though fair to look upon , many were the little thorns of cruelty and selfishness that lay concealed by his gay mantle . Many a gentle flower and harmless bird died by his hand , for he cared for himself alone , and whatever gave him pleasure must be his , though happy hearts were rendered sad , and peaceful homes destroyed . Such was Thistledown ; but far different was his little friend , Lily-Bell . Kind , compassionate , and loving , wherever her gentle face was seen , joy and gratitude were found ; no suffering flower or insect , that did not love and bless the kindly Fairy ; and thus all Elf-Land looked upon her as a friend . Nor did this make her vain and heedless of others ; she humbly dwelt among them , seeking to do all the good she might ; and many a houseless bird and hungry insect that Thistledown had harmed did she feed and shelter , and in return no evil could befall her , for so many friends were all about her , seeking to repay her tenderness and love by their watchful care . She would not now have left Fairy-Land , but to help and counsel her wild companion , Thistledown , who , discontented with his quiet home , WOULD seek his fortune in the great world , and she feared he would suffer from his own faults for others would not always be as gentle and forgiving as his kindred . So the kind little Fairy left her home and friends to go with him ; and thus , side by side , they flew beneath the bright summer sky .
On and on , over hill and valley , they went , chasing the gay butterflies , or listening to the bees , as they XXXXX 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 .
bless ceased died flew harmed saying seek sends shone went