Louisa May Alcott & Louisa May Alcott 
Flower Fables 

THE summer moon shone brightly down upon the sleeping earth, while far away from mortal eyes danced the Fairy folk. Fire-flies hung in bright clusters on the dewy leaves, that waved in the cool night-wind; and the flowers stood gazing, in very wonder, at the little Elves, who lay among the fern-leaves, swung in the vine-boughs, sailed on the lake in lily cups, or danced on the mossy ground, to the music of the hare-bells, who rung out their merriest peal in honor of the night.Under the shade of a wild rose sat the Queen and her little Maids of Honor, beside the silvery mushroom where the feast was spread.’Now, my friends, ‘ said she, ‘to while away the time till the bright moon goes down, let us each tell a tale, or relate what we have done or learned this day. I will begin with you, Sunny Lock, ‘ added she, turning to a lovely little Elf, who lay among the fragrant leaves of a primrose.With a gay smile, ‘Sunny Lock’ began her story.’As I was painting the bright petals of a blue bell, it told me this tale.’