hastened away to the coral-tree,
where hundreds of little creatures were building cell upon cell, till
the white tree rose tall and wide, spreading through the blue water. It
_was_ very dull, and the poor fairy never could lose his fear of the
strange monsters that swam to and fro, staring at him with big eyes, or
opening their great mouths as if to swallow him. There was no sun,--only
a dim light, and the sky seemed full of storm, when the waves rolled
overhead, and wrecks came floating down. The sea-flowers had no
sweetness; the only birds were flying-fish and Mother Carey's chickens,
as the stormy petrels are called. Thistle pined for light and air, but
kept patiently at work, and his only pleasure was now and then to float
with Pearl on the waves that rippled to the shore, and get a breath of
warm air from the lovely earth he longed to see again.

At last the great tree rose above the sea, and the long task was done;
for now the waves would wash weeds over the branches, gulls would bring
earth and sticks to make their nests, and by and by an island would be
formed where men might land or wild birds live in peace.

"Now you can go. Here is the crown of water-drops, changed to diamonds,
that will always lie cool and bright on your Lily's head. Good-by,
good-by," said Pearl, as she gave the reward and waved her hand to
Thistle, who shook the foam off his wings and flew away in the sunshine,
like a happy butterfly just out of its cell.

When he came to the wood the Brownies hastened to meet him, and he saw
that they had made the place beautiful with wreaths from tree to tree;
birds were singing their sweetest on every bough; the brook was laughing
as it hurried by to tell the good news wherever it went; and the
flowers, all in their best, were dancing with impatience to welcome him
home.

Lilybell lay with the cloak of sunshine folded round her, and the golden
wand in her hand, waiting for the crown and the kiss that should wake
her from this long sleep. Thistle gave them both; and when her eyes
opened and she stretched out her arms to him, he was the happiest fairy
in the world. The Brownies told all he had done, and how at last he had
learned to be gentle, true, and brave, after many trials and troubles.

"You shall have the crown, for you have worked so hard you deserve it,
and I will have a wreath of flowers," said Lily, so glad and proud she
cared for nothing else.

"Keep your crown, for here are friends com