The Blue Bird for Children

s of Light; and this was a great treat for them, for the gardens and the country

cording to their hues, the flowers, the fruits, the birds, the butterflies and the scents changed, causing Tyltyl and Mytyl a constant surprise. They had all the toys that they could wish for. When they were tired of playing, they stretched themselves out on the backs of the lizards, which were as long and wide as little boats, and quickly, quickly raced round the garden-pa

which possessed a magic power: its clear waters reflecte

," said the Cat, who steadil

nderstand why our faithful Tyl? was not afraid to go and quench his thirst there: he need not fear to reveal his thoughts, fo

cture of a splendid Blue Bird, for the constant wish to find him fi

You know everything: te

ied, in a to

r yourself." And, kissing him, she added, "Cheer

a day on which

the Blue Bird is probably hidden in the graveyard.... It appears th

we do?" as

will turn the diamond and you shall

ead and Sugar began to yell and

t to Tyltyl, in a whisper. "

ng about. "Time was when I used to burn the

m going to turn

ery limb, "but if you run away.... I shall run

pulling at h

" she said, in her u

ders. You are all to stay with me, at the gate of

ything but ple

ou coming

nter among the Dead. Besides, there is nothing to fear. I shall not be f

endid gardens vanished to make way for a poor little country cemetery, which lay in the soft moonlight. Near the Children were

htened!" s

ed Tyltyl, who was shaking with

Mytyl, "are t

Tyltyl, "they'

u ever s

ago, when I was

was it

ill and very cold; an

oing to s

and made an unsuccessful effort

ourse, Lig

the Dead?"

nd him, for the Children had not d

said, "under the grass o

eir houses?" asked Mytyl,

es

o out when

only go ou

hy

are in their

out also whe

ins, they s

ce in the

it's ver

any littl

ey have all t

do they

w everything; but her questions often puzzled him. Then he reflected that, as the Dead live u

eat

turned to the great question tha

see them?"

l, "we see everything w

t will t

an to grow

nothing, as t

they talk?"

o say," said Tyltyl, more cr

they nothi

all patience. He shrugged his shoulders

a nuis

o badly treated! But a breath of wind made the leaves of the trees whisper and suddenly recalled the Children to their fears

turn the diamon

l midnight, because that disturbs them less;

midnight

ck and hardly had the strength to answe

.... It is just going to strike

lock stru

her life, began to stamp her f

way!... I want

tiff with fright

m going to turn

frightened, little brother!... Don

diamond with Mytyl clinging to him, hanging with all her weig

hey will be awful!... I can't possi

l and courage were becoming greater; he was learning to master himself; and

sing!" he exclai

olutely from Mytyl's arms

poor little children. Then they saw the crosse

face against T

he cried. "They're ther

te that seemed to him like a century, not daring to move, not daring to breathe. Then he heard birds singing; a warm and scented breeze fanned his face; and, on his hands, on his neck, h

nt up and up until it seemed that they would touch the sky. They were great full-blown roses, showing their hearts, wonderful golden hear

ble!" said Tyltyl. "What has become

he earth and run after them, pulling horrid faces; they had imagined all sorts of awful things. And now, in the presence of the truth, they saw that all that they had been told was a great big story and that Death does not exist. They saw that there are no Dead and that Life goes on always, always,

s among them, but the two Children were so glad of their discovery that th

ead!... There a