Think of your little Rose-Leaf when among the flowers . '' Long Eva watched their shining wings , and listened to the music of their voices as they flew singing home , and when at length the last little form had vanished among the clouds , she saw that all around her where the Elves had been , the fairest flowers had sprung up , and the lonely brook-side was a blooming garden . Thus she stood among the waving blossoms , with the Fairy garland in her hair , and happy feelings in her heart , better and wiser for her visit to Fairy-Land . `` Now , Star-Twinkle , what have you to teach ? '' asked the Queen . `` Nothing but a little song I heard the hare-bells singing , '' replied the Fairy , and , taking her harp , sang , in a low , sweet voice : -- THE FLOWER 'S LESSON . THERE grew a fragrant rose-tree where the brook flows , With two little tender buds , and one full rose ; When the sun went down to his bed in the west , The little buds leaned on the rose-mother 's breast , While the bright eyed stars their long watch kept , And the flowers of the valley in their green cradles slept ; Then silently in odors they communed with each other , The two little buds on the bosom of their mother . `` O sister , '' said the little one , as she gazed at the sky , `` I wish that the Dew Elves , as they wander lightly by , Would bring me a star ; for they never grow dim , And the Father does not need them to burn round him . The shining drops of dew the Elves bring each day And place in my bosom , so soon pass away ; But a star would glitter brightly through the long summer hours , And I should be fairer than all my sister flowers . That were better far than the dew-drops that fall On the high and the low , and come alike to all . I would be fair and stately , with a bright star to shine And give a queenly air to this crimson robe of mine . '' And proudly she cried , `` These fire-flies shall be My jewels , since the stars can never come to me . '' Just then a tiny dew-drop that hung o'er the dell On the breast of the bud like a soft star fell ; But impatiently she flung it away from her leaf , And it fell on her mother like a tear of grief , While she folded to her breast , with wilful pride , A glittering fire-fly that hung by her side . `` Heed , '' said the mother rose , `` daughter mine , Why shouldst thou seek for beauty not thine ? The Father hath made thee what thou now art ; And what he most loveth is a sweet , pure heart . Then why dost thou take with such discontent The loving gift which he to thee hath sent ? For the cool fresh dew will render thee far More lovely and sweet than the brightest star ; They were made for Heaven , and can never come to shine Like the fire-fly thou hast in that foolish breast of thine . O my foolish little bud , do listen to thy mother ; Care only for true beauty , and seek for no other . There will be grief and trouble in that wilful little heart ; Unfold thy leaves , my daughter , and let the fly depart . '' But the proud little bud would have her own will , And folded the fire-fly more closely still ; Till the struggling insect tore open the vest Of purple and green , that covered her breast .
When the sun came up , she XXXXX with grief The blooming of her sister bud leaf by leaf .
Heed come flows give sang saw vanished wander waving wish