FAIRY FOOD.
The lantern made a little pathway of light, sometimes leading straight
forward, sometimes turning, running among thick bushes or over the
rocks; and Daisy went bravely on, never minding the frightened birds
that fluttered through her light, like moths, nor the sad sigh of the
wind, nor the dripping trees.
She looked for pleasant things, instead of frightful ones; and let me
whisper to you, that, with fairy help or without it, we always find, in
this world, what we are looking for.
The mosses seemed like a green carpet for her feet, and the pebbles like
shining jewels; and the little flowers looked up at her like friends,
and seemed to say, "We are smaller and weaker than you are, Daisy; but
we stay out here every night, and nothing harms us."
And the trees bowed, and folded their leaves above her, as she passed,
so gently, that she thought they were trying to shelter and take care of
her.
At length the light paused before a rock; but Daisy could find no house,
until she parted a clump of bushes, and then saw the entrance to a cave.
She crept in; and as her lantern filled the place with light, she saw
what a damp, uncomfortable home the old dame had, with only some stones
for seats, and a table, and a ragged bed, and a smoky corner where she
built her fire.
There, however, upon the table stood the loaf and flask which Daisy had
come to find; she took them and hurried away, for it seemed as if the
old dame's face were looking at her out of the rocky wall on every side.
[Illustration: THE LOAF AND FLASK.]
It was a heavier load for the little girl than her father's basket
had been; but she had a strong heart, if her hands were weak. She ran
along, trying to get before the light, that was always just in front of
her, and singing the merriest songs she knew, so as not to hear the wind
nor think about the faces on the wall.
She reached home safely, but could not open the door; for the latch was
high, and the dame had gone fast asleep. Daisy thought she must wait
until daylight out there in the cold, and sat on the step, feeling
disappointed and sad enough.
But one of her tame rabbits, awakened, perhaps, more easily than the
dame, hopped out of his burrow, and nestled in Daisy's lap, and looked
up at her with his gentle eyes, while she warmed her hands in his fur,
and did not feel so much alone.
At last the old woman started from her sleep, and wondering what had
become of Daisy, went to look for her.
She seized the bread with a cry of joy, and breaking a morsel, ate it
eagerly, as she led Daisy towards the fire, which she had built up
again.
"Now, see the difference between your food and mine." As the fairy
spoke, Daisy looked up, and saw, to her surprise, the wrinkles smooth
away, and a beautiful light break over the old brown face, the wide
mouth shrink to a little rosy one, all smiles, and pearly teeth inside.
The fairy's eyes grew brighter than ever; but the dreadful glittering
look had gone, and they were full of joy, and peace, and love.
"Wait, now, till I take my medicine." Her voice had changed to the
softest, most silvery one that Daisy ever heard.
And when she had tasted the drink, her poor old crooked hands grew plump
and white, her bent form straightened, and, what made Daisy wonder more,
even her clothes began to change.
First they looked cleaner, then not so faded, then the rags disappeared,
and they seemed new and whole; and then they began to grow soft and
rich, till the ragged cotton gown was changed to velvet and satin, the
knotted old turban to delicate lace, that hung heavy with pearls, but
was not so delicate and beautiful as the golden hair that floated about
the fairy wherever she moved.
"Poor child!" she said; "you are tired and cold; come, rest with me;"
and taking Daisy in her arms, began to sing the sweetest songs, that
seemed to change every thing into music, even the wailing tempest and
her mother's sobs.
And all the while that tender, loving face bent over her, and the gentle
hands were smoothing her wet hair, and folding her more closely to the
fairy's heart.
Upon this pillow our tired Daisy fell asleep.