buds. One was
happy and contented, but the other always wanted something.

"'I wish the elves would bring me a star instead of dew
every night. The drop is soon gone, but a star would shine
splendidly, and I should be finer than all the other
flowers,' said the naughty bud one night.

"'But you need the dew to live, and the moon needs the stars
up there to light the world. Don't fret, sister, but be sure
it is best to take what is sent, and be glad,' answered the
good bud.

"'I won't have the dew, and if I cannot get a star I will
take a firefly to shine on my breast,' said the other,
shaking off a fresh drop that had just fallen on her, and
folding her leaves round the bright fly.

"'Foolish child!' cried the rose-mother; 'let the fly go,
before he harms you. It is better to be sweet and fair than
to shine with a beauty not your own. Be wise, dear, before
it is too late.'

"But the silly bud only held the firefly closer, till in its
struggles it tore her leaves and flew away. When the hot sun
came up the poor bud hung all faded on her stem, longing for
a cool drop to drink. Her sister was strong and fresh, and
danced gayly in the wind, opening her red petals to the
sun.

"'Now I must die. Oh, why was I vain and silly?' sobbed the
poor bud, fainting in the heat.

"Then the mother leaned over her, and from her bosom, where
she had hidden it, the dew-drop fell on the thirsty bud, and
while she drank it eagerly the rose drew her closer,
whispering, 'Little darling, learn to be contented with what
heaven sends, and make yourself lovely by being good.'"

"I shall remember that story," said Eva when the elves shut their books
and flew back to the daisy seats.

"Would you like to hear them sing?" asked Trip.

"Very much," said Eva, and in the little song they gave her she got
another lesson to carry home.

"I shine," says the sun,
"To give the world light,"
"I glimmer," adds the moon,
"To beautify the night."
"I ripple," says the brook,
"I whisper," sighs the breeze,
"I patter," laughs the rain,
"We rustle," call the trees
"We dance," nod the daisies,
"I twinkle," shines the star,
"We sing," chant the birds,
"How happy we all are!"
"I smile," cries the child,
Gentle, good, and gay;
T