THE ROSE-ELF

THE ROSE-ELFIN the midst of a garden grew a rose bush, whichwas quite covered with roses;and in one

THEROSE-ELF INthemidstofagardengrewarosebush,which wasquitecoveredwithroses;andinoneofthem,themost beautifulofall,theredwe11anelf.Hewassotinythatno humaneyecouldseehim.Behindeveryleafintherosehehad abedroom.Hewasaswellformedandbeautifulasanychild couldbe,andhadwingsthatreachedfromhisshoulderstohis feet.Oh,whatafragrancetherewasinhisrooms!andhow clearandbrightwerethewalls!Theyweremadeofthepale pinkroseleaves. Thewholedayherejoicedinthewarmsunshine,flew fromflowertoflower,dancedonthewingsoftheflying butterfly,andmeasuredhowmanystepshewou1dhavetotake topassalongalltheroadsandcross ----- roadsthatare markedoutonasinglelindenleaf.Whatwecallveinsonthe leafweretohimhighroadsandcross-roads.Yes,thosewere longroadsforhim!Beforehehadfinishedhisjourneythesun wentdown,forhehadbegunhisworktoolate! Itbecameverycold,thedewfell,andthewind blew:nowthebestthingtobedonewastocomehome.Hemade whathastehecould,buttherosehadshutitselfup,andhe couldnotgetin;notasinglerosestoodopen.Thepoor littleelfwasverymuchfrightened.Hehadneverbeenoutat nightbefore;hehadalwaysslumberedsweetlyandcomfortably