`` I can not show the path , for it is through the air . Dear Ripple , do not go , for you can never reach that distant place : some harm most surely will befall ; and then how shall we live , without our dearest , gentlest Spirit ? Stay here with us in your own pleasant home , and think more of this , for I can never let you go . '' But Ripple would not break the promise she had made , and besought so earnestly , and with such pleading words , that the Queen at last with sorrow gave consent , and Ripple joyfully prepared to go . She , with her sister Spirits , built up a tomb of delicate , bright-colored shells , wherein the child might lie , till she should come to wake him into life ; then , praying them to watch most faithfully above it , she said farewell , and floated bravely forth , on her long , unknown journey , far away . `` I will search the broad earth till I find a path up to the sun , or some kind friend who will carry me ; for , alas ! I have no wings , and can not glide through the blue air as through the sea , '' said Ripple to herself , as she went dancing over the waves , which bore her swiftly onward towards a distant shore . Long she journeyed through the pathless ocean , with no friends to cheer her , save the white sea-birds who went sweeping by , and only stayed to dip their wide wings at her side , and then flew silently away . Sometimes great ships sailed by , and then with longing eyes did the little Spirit gaze up at the faces that looked down upon the sea ; for often they were kind and pleasant ones , and she gladly would have called to them and asked them to be friends . But they would never understand the strange , sweet language that she spoke , or even see the lovely face that smiled at them above the waves ; her blue , transparent garments were but water to their eyes , and the pearl chains in her hair but foam and sparkling spray ; so , hoping that the sea would be most gentle with them , silently she floated on her way , and left them far behind . At length green hills were seen , and the waves gladly bore the little Spirit on , till , rippling gently over soft white sand , they left her on the pleasant shore . `` Ah , what a lovely place it is ! '' said Ripple , as she passed through sunny valleys , where flowers began to bloom , and young leaves rustled on the trees . `` Why are you all so gay , dear birds ? '' she asked , as their cheerful voices sounded far and near ; `` is there a festival over the earth , that all is so beautiful and bright ? '' `` Do you not know that Spring is coming ? The warm winds whispered it days ago , and we are learning the sweetest songs , to welcome her when she shall come , '' sang the lark , soaring away as the music gushed from his little throat . `` And shall I see her , Violet , as she journeys over the earth ? '' asked Ripple again . `` Yes , you will meet her soon , for the sunlight told me she was near ; tell her we long to see her again , and are waiting to welcome her back , '' said the blue flower , dancing for joy on her stem , as she nodded and smiled on the Spirit .
`` I will ask Spring where the Fire-Spirits dwell ; she travels over the earth each year , and surely can show me the way , '' thought XXXXX , as she went journeying on .
Ripple eyes festival leaves length sand ships valleys waves wings