m; but the boy did not return their love, for he was full of
vanity and thought only of himself.

Now as he grew to manhood Narcissus became more and more beautiful, and
each woodland fairy or water-nymph would gladly have become his bride.

At last a gentle nymph named Echo fell in love with him, and since he
would not look at her, or give heed to her soft words, she pined away
until nothing but her voice remained.

Even to this day her plaintive cry may be heard among the hills
answering back again the voices of those who laugh and sing. But now the
nymphs were angry with the loveless youth, and prayed the gods to punish
him for his heartlessness.

So one day when he was wandering in the fields, they caused him to see
his own features reflected in the clear waters of a crystal pool.

Now Narcissus did not know that it was his own face which smiled up at
him from the depths of the pool, but took it to be that of some lovely
water-nymph, and full of love and admiration he determined to win her
for his bride.

But the image in the water returned no answer to his loving words, and
did but mimic his every act and movement, till at last, in despair, he
sat down by the water's edge and wept bitter tears of disappointed love.

And there he sat, day by day, till he grew pale and thin, and at last,
like poor Echo, he pined away and died.

Then on the border of the lake, where his dead body lay, there sprang up
clusters of golden blossoms. Daffodils we call them, but the gods called
them "Narcissus," in memory of the loveless youth.

And beautiful they were to look upon; but there was something missing,
for as Narcissus shed no love around his path through life, so the
flowers which bear his name shed no fragrance upon the air.

THE WIND FLOWER

Fairy Tales from Flowerland
THE WIND FLOWER

"The coy Anemone, that ne'er uncloses
Her lips, until they're blown on by the wind."
--_H. Smith._

FLORA, Queen of all the flowers, fell in love with Zephyr, the
West-wind, whose gentle breezes fanned her favorite blossoms, cooling
them when the fierce rays of the sun fell hot upon them. But Zephyr
cared not for Lady Flora.

Zephyr loved a gentle nymph, who returned his affection, but ere she
could become his bride Flora changed her into a plant whose pale
blossoms shine and twinkle in the woods like stars on a dark night.

Now this fair nymph was beloved not only by Zephyr, the gentle
West-w