And there passed from that room a shining angel, and lo! on her bosom lay a little flower.
WATER-LILY'S MISSION
"Come away, beautiful flower," said the kingfisher; "do not waste your beauty in this melancholy mere; float away down the gleaming river where tall bulrushes grow and where you shall find companions."
But the water-lily said, "No, I cannot go, for up in yonder tower is a prisoner, and I cheer his lonely days. He watches me and smiles, and forgets that he is a captive. I cannot leave one so unhappy."
"As you like," said the kingfisher, "but you would not catch me spending my life under those barren walls," and away flew the kingfisher.
A swallow came and wheeled round and round the tower. "Swallow," called the water-lily, "come to me." And the swallow came twittering down.
"I am in a great hurry," he said; "what do you want?"
"Bite through my stem, swallow, and carry me up to the grating in the tower, and place me on that window-sill."
"But you will die—and you are so beautiful," said the swallow, looking regretfully at the lily.