Chapter 24
The Elf of the RoseIN the midst of a garden grew a rose-tree, in full
blossom, and in the prettiest of all the roses lived an elf. He was
such a little wee thing, that no human eye could see him. Behind
each leaf of the rose he had a sleeping chamber. He was as well
formed and as beautiful as a little child could be, and had wings
that reached from his shoulders to his feet. Oh, what sweet
fragrance there was in his chambers! and how clean and beautiful
were the walls! for they were the blushing leaves of the
rose.
During the whole day he enjoyed himself in the warm
sunshine, flew from flower to flower, and danced on the wings of
the flying butterflies. Then he took it into his head to measure
how many steps he would have to go through the roads and
cross-roads tha
