train of music seemed to float in the air; the poor,
whitewashed wall of the cottage opened in the middle, through which a
beautiful lady entered, with a wreath of flowers round her head, and a
wand of ivory in her hand.

"Well, my little friend," said she in a soft voice, "what do you want of
me?"

Mark was almost speechless with astonishment and admiration; but he
managed to say, "Oh, lady, if you are the fairy Benevolence, save my
poor mother."

"It is not in my power, my good child. You must do it yourself. You can,
if you have the courage to go where I tell you, and hunt for a certain
plant. It grows on the top of a mountain, and is called 'The Plant of
Life.' The juice of that plant will cure your mother the moment she
tastes of it."

"I will go this instant," he cried; "but who will take care of my
mother?"

"Trust her to me, my dear boy, while you are absent. She shall have
everything she wants."

"Oh, thank you," said Mark; "now I will go."

"But you must have great courage and perseverance: there is nothing of
importance ever gained in this world without them."

"Oh, I have lots of courage!--only tell me where I shall find the
plant."

"Well--when you get to the top of the mountain, you must call the doctor
who has charge of the plant; tell him that I sent you, and he will give
you a sprig."

Mark thanked the kind fairy, and kissed her hand; he then leaned over
and softly kissed his mother, and then departed.

He walked quickly, but found the mountain further off than he expected.
He had hardly got a third of the way when he saw a crow caught in a
trap.

"Oh, poor crow!" exclaimed the kind little fellow, and he pressed down
the spring and released him. The crow flew off with a "caw, caw," and
then spoke like a human being, saying, "Thank you; I will repay you."

Mark was surprised to hear a bird talk; but he hurried on, and soon
after he saw a rooster chased by a fox. Mark caught the rooster up in
his arms, and concealed him under his coat; and the fox, staring,
surprised, in every direction, ran off disappointed. As soon as he was
out of sight Mark let the rooster go, who turned and said, with a
grateful and very long crow, "Thank you, Mark; I will repay you."

"Why, they can all talk!" exclaimed Mark; "they must be fairy people,
turned into birds!"

He walked on a long way, and jumped quickly on one side as he came up to
a great ugly bullfrog, who, charmed by a snake, was too terrified t