"Didn't I tell you so?" cried the water-lily in triumph. "Didn't I prophesy that your happiness would be hollow?"
"Good-bye," sighed the dragon-fly. "I have not time to listen to your disagreeable remarks. I must lay some more eggs."
But just as it was about to fly off the starling came.
"What a pretty little dragon-fly!" it said; "it will be a delightful tit-bit for my little ones."
Snap! it killed the dragon-fly with its bill, and flew off with it.
"What a shocking thing!" cried the water-lily, as its leaves shook with terror. "Those animals! those animals! They are funny creatures. I do indeed value my quiet, peaceful life. I harm nobody, and nobody wants to pick a quarrel with me. I am very luck—"
It did not finish what it was saying, for at that instant a boat came gliding close by.
