“Little maiden, your prayer has softened my heart. They shall not be
left sorrowing and alone, nor shall you go back without a kindly word
to cheer and comfort them. We will pardon their fault, and when they
can bring hither a perfect Fairy crown, robe, and wand, they shall be
again received as children of their loving Queen. The task is hard, for
none but the best and purest can form the Fairy garments; yet with
patience they may yet restore their robes to their former brightness.
Farewell, good little maiden; come with them, for but for you they
would have dwelt for ever without the walls of Fairy-Land.”
“Good speed to you, and farewell,” cried they all, as, with loving
messages to their poor friends, they bore her to the gates.
Day after day toiled little Bud, cheering the Fairies, who, angry and
disappointed, would not listen to her gentle words, but turned away and
sat alone weeping. They grieved her kind heart with many cruel words;
but patiently she bore with them, and when they told her they could
never perform so hard a task, and must dwell for ever in the dark
forest, she answered gently, that the snow-white lily must be planted,
and watered with repentant tears, before the robe of innocence could be
won; that the sun of love must shine in their hearts, before the light
could return to their dim crowns, and deeds of kindness must be
performed, ere the power would come again to their now useless wands.
Then they planted the lilies; but they soon drooped and died, and no
light came to their crowns. They did no gentle deeds, but cared only
for themselves; and when they found their labor was in vain, they tried
no longer, but sat weeping. Bud, with ceaseless toil and patient care,
tended the lilies, which bloomed brightly, the crowns grew bright, and
in her hands the wands had power over birds and blossoms, for she was
striving to give happiness to others, forgetful of herself. And the
idle Fairies, with thankful words, took the garments from her, and then
with Bud went forth to Fairy-Land, and stood with beating hearts before
the gates; where crowds of Fairy friends came forth to welcome them.
But when Queen Dew-Drop touched them with her wand, as they passed in,
the light faded from their crowns, their robes became like withered
leaves, and their wands were powerless.
Amid the tears of all the Fairies, the Queen led them to the gates, and
said,—
“Farewell! It is not in my power to aid you; innocence and love are not
within your hearts, and were it not for this untiring little maiden,
who has toiled while you have wept, you never would have entered your
lost home. Go and strive again, for till all is once more fair and
pure, I cannot call you mine.”
“Farewell!” sang the weeping Fairies, as the gates closed on their
outcast friends; who, humbled and broken-hearted, gathered around Bud;
and she, with cheering words, guided them back to the forest.
Time passed on, and the Fairies had done nothing to gain their lovely
home again. They wept no longer, but watched little Bud, as she daily
tended the flowers, restoring their strength and beauty, or with gentle
words flew from nest to nest, teaching the little birds to live happily
together; and wherever she went blessings fell, and loving hearts were
filled with gratitude.
Then, one by one, the Elves secretly did some little work of kindness,
and found a quiet joy come back to repay them. Flowers looked lovingly
up as they passed, birds sang to cheer them when sad thoughts made them
weep. And soon little Bud found out their gentle deeds, and her
friendly words gave them new strength. So day after day they followed
her, and like a band of guardian spirits they flew far and wide,
carrying with them joy and peace.
And not only birds and flowers blessed them, but human beings also; for
with tender hands they guided little children from danger, and kept
their young hearts free from evil thoughts; they whispered soothing
words to the sick, and brought sweet odors and fair flowers to their
lonely rooms. They sent lovely visions to the old and blind, to make
their hearts young and bright with happy thoughts.
But most tenderly did they watch over the poor and sorrowing, and many
a poor mother blessed the unseen hands that laid food before her hungry
little ones, and folded warm garments round their naked limbs. Many a
poor man wondered at the fair flowers that sprang up in his little
garden-plot, cheering him with their bright forms, and making his
dreary home fair with their loveliness, and looked at his once barren
field, where now waved the golden corn, turning its broad leaves to the
warm sun, and promising a store of golden ears to give him food; while
the care-worn face grew bright, and the troubled heart filled with
gratitude towards the invisible spirits who had brought him such joy.
Thus time passed on, and though the exiled Fairies longed often for
their home, still, knowing they did not deserve it, they toiled on,
hoping one day to see the friends they had lost; while the joy of their
own hearts made their life full of happiness.