fulfilled!" and it started off at once through the air at such a
rate that you would think it had to fly to the ends of the earth.

"The creature has got its desire at any rate," thought the
Water-Lily. "Let us see if it will be any the happier for it."

Two days later the Dragon-Fly came flying back, and seated itself
on the flower of the Water-Lily.

"Oh, good-morning," said the Water-Lily. "Do I see you once more? I
thought you had grown too fine to greet your old friends."

"Good-day," said the Dragon-Fly. "Where shall I lay my eggs?"

"Oh, you are sure to find some place," answered the flower. "Sit
down for a bit, and tell me if you are any happier now than when
you were crawling up and down my stalk, a little ugly Larva."

"Where shall I lay my eggs? Where shall I lay my eggs?" screamed
the Dragon-Fly, and flew humming around from place to place, laid
one here and one there, and finally seated itself, tired and weary,
on one of the leaves.

"Well?" said the Water-Lily.

"Oh, it was better in the old days--much better," sighed the
Dragon-Fly. "The sunshine is really delightful, and it is a real
pleasure to fly over the water; but I have no time to enjoy it. I
have been so terribly busy, I tell you. In the old days I had
nothing to think about; now I have to fly about all day long to get