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 flew 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 . `` See , '' cried Thistledown , `` what a lovely home is here ; let us rest among the cool leaves , and hear the flowers sing , for I am sadly tired and hungry . '' So into the quiet garden they went , and the winds gayly welcomed them , while the flowers nodded on their stems , offering their bright leaves for the Elves to rest upon , and fresh , sweet honey to refresh them . `` Now , dear Thistle , do not harm these friendly blossoms , '' said Lily-Bell ; `` see how kindly they spread their leaves , and offer us their dew . It would be very wrong in you to repay their care with cruelty and pain . You will be tender for my sake , dear Thistle . '' Then she went among the flowers , and they bent lovingly before her , and laid their soft leaves against her little face , that she might see how glad they were to welcome one so good and gentle , and kindly offered their dew and honey to the weary little Fairy , who sat among their fragrant petals and looked smilingly on the happy blossoms , who , with their soft , low voices , sang her to sleep . While Lily-Bell lay dreaming among the rose-leaves , Thistledown went wandering through the garden . First he robbed the bees of their honey , and rudely shook the little flowers , that he might get the dew they had gathered to bathe their buds in . Then he chased the bright winged flies , and wounded them with the sharp thorn he carried for a sword ; he broke the spider 's shining webs , lamed the birds , and soon wherever he passed lay wounded insects and drooping flowers ; while the winds carried the tidings over the garden , and bird and blossom looked upon him as an evil spirit , and fled away or closed their leaves , lest he should harm them . Thus he went , leaving sorrow and pain behind him , till he came to the roses where Lily-Bell lay sleeping . There , weary of his cruel sport , he stayed to rest beneath a graceful rose-tree , where grew one blooming flower and a tiny bud . `` Why are you so slow in blooming , little one ? You are too old to be rocked in your green cradle longer , and should be out among your sister flowers , '' said Thistle , as he lay idly in the shadow of the tree .
`` My little XXXXX is not yet strong enough to venture forth , '' replied the rose , as she bent fondly over it ; `` the sunlight and the rain would blight her tender form , were she to blossom now , but soon she will be fit to bear them ; till then she is content to rest beside her mother , and to wait . ''
bees bud care dew fortune friend friends insect sword tenderness