"Trust her to me, my dear boy, while you are absent. She shall have everything she wants."
"Oh, thank you," said Mark; "now I will go."
"But you must have great courage and perseverance: there is nothing of importance ever gained in this world without them."
"Oh, I have lots of courage!—only tell me where I shall find the plant."
"Well—when you get to the top of the mountain, you must call the doctor who has charge of the plant; tell him that I sent you, and he will give you a sprig."
Mark thanked the kind fairy, and kissed her hand; he then leaned over and softly kissed his mother, and then departed.
He walked quickly, but found the mountain further off than he expected. He had hardly got a third of the way when he saw a crow caught in a trap.
"Oh, poor crow!" exclaimed the kind little fellow, and he pressed down the spring and released him. The crow flew off with a "caw, caw," and then spoke like a human being, saying, "Thank you; I will repay you."
Mark was surprised to hear a bird talk; but he hurried on, and soon after he saw a rooster chased by a fox. Mark caught the rooster up in his arms, and concealed him under his coat; and the fox, staring, surprised, in every direction, ran off disappointed. As soon as he was out of sight Mark let the rooster go, who turned and said, with a grateful and very long crow, "Thank you, Mark; I will repay you."
"Why, they can all talk!" exclaimed Mark; "they must be fairy people, turned into birds!"