The Blue Bird for Children

ights, when the sky was clear, you could plainly see the moon's mountains and valleys, lakes and seas from the terrace of the

upon it still live with their eyes shut! Poor things, I pity them! I go down among them now and then, but it is

and knocked at the door of Dadd

f the feast. But her store of knowledge was so great that all her wishes were fulfilled at once. She pressed lightly on Tyltyl's head and willed that they should all be carried by magic to h

them through chambers and pa

zement burst from every throat. Precious stuffs were seen piled one on the top of the other: mantles covered with gems, dresses of every sort and every country, pearl coronets, emerald necklaces, ruby bracelets.... Never had the Childre

his head, for his head was always very hot. Sugar could not stand anything except white and pale blue: bright colors jarred on his sweet nature. The long blue and white dress which he selected and the pointed hat,

e. She therefore put on a suit of black tights, with jet embroidery, hung a long velvet cloak from her shoulders and perched a large cavalier hat, with a long feather, on her neat little hea

nvited Sugar and Fire to take the air with her. So they all three walked out, while the others went on dressing. Let us follow them for a momen

balconies in the sky, our three cronies stopped in the hall;

discuss the position in which we are placed. Let u

terrupted by a

wow,

scented us out! We can't get a minute's peace. Let us hide behind

id Sugar, who was s

coming up, jumping, barki

e saw him, turne

men of Cinderella's coach.... It is just the

leasure of being gorgeously arrayed; and he danced round and round. It was really funny to see his velvet coat whirling like a merry-go-round, with the skirts opening every now and then and showing his littl

. But physical deficiencies and the hardships of fortune strengthen our innermost qualities. Tyl?'s soul, having no outward means

ged into a man! He was all over magnificent clothes; and he was about

e!... Just look at this lace and embroi

e same reason, he had kept his collar, with his address on it. A big red velvet coat, heavily braided with gold-lace, reached to his knees; and the large pockets on either side would enable him, he thought, always to carry a few provisions; for Tyl? was very greedy. On his left ear, he wore a little round cap with an ospr

. Tyl? had too natural a character to change his little ways all in a day; and, in spite of his new-blown honours, he allowed himself to do undignified things. He was at the present moment lying o

ow?" asked the Cat, who was watchin

hadows of the lofty arches and Water appeared. Tall, slender and white as a pearl, she seemed to glide rather than to walk. Her movements were so soft and gra

, like the rude and spiteful

brought her

hat she was the stronger of the two, chaffed him ple

you might be speaking of a great

t went up to Water, very cautiously, and paid her ever so many compliments on her dress. I need hardly tell you that she did not mean a word of it; but she wished to be friend

oing?" she mewed,

dress," said the Dog. "At last, he decided in favo

at her with a

d that it was

as the enormous stomach of Bread, who filled the whole opening. He kept on knocking himself, without knowing why; for he was not very clever and, besides, he was not

umphal entry, but he was p

have put on Blue-beard's finest dr

, covered all over with silver crescents, reminded Tyl? of the delicious horse-shoe rolls w

s!" he cried. "Ho

e her prefer her cream dress to all the finery which the

esses of Tyltyl, Light and Mytyl, when t

aid. "Stop chattering, listen to me, ti

of mystery to them. Sugar wriggled his long fingers as a sign of distress; Bread patted his huge stomach; Water lay on the floor

g impatient, con

time, mark the end of our lives. It is our business, therefore, to spin

down in his soul. He well knew what the Cat was driving at; and, when Tylette ended her speech with the words, "We must at all costs prolong the journey and prevent Blue Bird from being found, e

ad pompously. "I'm in th

u chairman?"

re?" asked Water, whirlin

liatory tones. "Excuse me.... This is a serious mom

d the Cat," said Bread, as t

's all!... We have to obey him and do as he tells us!... I recognise no one but him!... H

l of grudges against Man and she wanted to make use of the short

ll know all, he will see all and we shall be completely at his mercy.... Remember the time when we wandered at liberty upon the face of the earth!..." But, suddenly her face changed, her voice sank

es in the wrong, took up such ridiculous and uncomfortable attitudes

at corner?... You look li

ught to what was passing through their little minds. She had come to explain the first part of the journey to the Children and to tell each of the others what to do. Tylt

r head was a lovely orange velvet cap; and a starched muslin tucker covered her little arms. Tyltyl was dressed in

, undid the top of his robe, drew his sci

ry said

s hiding at your grandparents' in the Lan

e them, if they are

y would not be really dead until their

o the diamond, you, Tyltyl, will see that the dead whom

boy, turning to Light, who stood in

not look at the past. Her energi

rtance of his duty, undid the top of his robe, drew his scimitar and cut two slices out of his stomach. The Children screamed with laughter. Tyl? dropped his gloomy thoughts for a moment and begged for a bi

towards the door, the Fa

y them; they are going to spend the evening with their late family. Come, be off! Good-

y and, breaking off two of his fingers,

e palace. Our friend Tyl? was the only one who did not answer to his name. The moment he heard the Fairy say that the Children were to go alone, he had made up his mind to go and loo

e cried. "

e, with his tail between his legs, to take his place among the others. He howled with des