I would not look on the wintry sea, and the pitiless gray sky.

Thus I floated, till something gently touched me.

It was a little boat floating beside me.

How it came there I could not tell; but it rose and sank on the waters, and kept touching me in its fall, as if with a human will to let me know that help was by me.

It was a little gay-coloured boat, seemingly covered with glistering scales like those of a fish, all of brilliant rainbow hues.