FullReads

“As he said these words he felt a slight quivering in the flower; and, while he looked, the cluster of stamens at the bottom of the cup floated upward, and glittered like a crown of gold; the dewdrops which hung upon them changed into diamonds before his eyes; the white petals flowed together; the tall pistil was a golden wand; and the next moment a beautiful little creature stood upon his hand, clad in a robe of the purest white, and scarcely taller than the flower from which she sprung.

“Struck with astonishment, the boy kept silence. She lifted up her face, and opened her lips more than once. He expected her to say some wonderful thing; but, when at length she did speak, she only said, ‘Child, are you happy?’

“‘No,’ said the boy, in a low voice, ‘because I want to paint, and I cannot.’

“‘How do you know that you cannot?’ asked the fairy.

“‘Oh, fairy,’ replied the boy, ‘because I have tried a great many times. It is of no use trying any longer.’

“‘What if I were to help you?’ said the fairy.

“‘There would then indeed be some pleasure in the work and some chance of success,’ said the boy.

“‘I was just closing my leaves for the night,’ answered the fairy, ‘when you drew me out of the water; and I should have made you feel the effects of my resentment if it had not happened that you are the favorite of our race. Under the water, at the bottom of this lake, are our palaces and castles; and when, after visiting the upper world, we wish to return to them, we close one of these lilies over us, and sink in it to our home. The wish that I heard you utter just now induced me to appear to you. I know a powerful charm which will ensure your success and the accomplishment of your highest wishes; but it is one which requires a great deal of care and patience in the working, and I cannot put you in possession of it unless you will promise the most implicit obedience to my directions.’

“‘Spirit of a water-lily!’ said the boy, ‘I promise with all my heart.’

“‘Go home, then,’ continued the fairy, ‘and you will find lying on the threshold a little key: take it up.’

“‘I will,’ answered the boy; ‘and what then shall I do?’

“‘Carry it to the nearest pine-tree,’ said the fairy, ‘strike the trunk with it, and a keyhole will appear. Do not be afraid to unlock that magic door. Slip in your hand, and you will bring out a wonderful palette. I have not time now to tell you half its virtues, but they will soon unfold themselves. You must be very careful to paint with colors from that palette every day. On this depends the success of the charm. You will find that it will soon give grace to your figures and beauty to your coloring; and I promise you that, if you do not break the spell, you shall not only in a few years be able to produce as beautiful a copy of these flowers as can be wished, but your name shall become known to fame, and your genius shall be honored, and your pictures admired on both sides the Atlantic.’

“‘Can it be possible?’ said the boy; and the hand trembled on which stood the fairy.

“‘It shall be so, if only you do not break the charm,’ said the fairy; ‘but lest, like the rest of your ungrateful race, you should forget what you owe to me, and even when you grow older begin to doubt whether you have ever seen me, the Lily you gathered will never fade till my promise is accomplished.’

“So saying, she gathered around her the folds of her robe, crossed her arms, and dropping her head on her breast, trembled slightly; and, before the boy could remark the change, he had nothing in his hand but a flower.