The Blue Bird for Children

and faded away at once, so as not to disturb their sleep

soft velvet paw pass to and fro over his face. He was surprised and sat up in bed in a bit of a fr

p out without being seen, we shall catch the Blue Bird to-night. I have risked my li

ht would be so glad to help us ... and bes

harply, "all is lost, believe me.

o dress him and also Mytyl, who had hear

l. "You are too small: you don't know

would soon find all the Blue Birds that make men's happiness. The traitress displayed such cleverness that, before long, Tyltyl's disobedience became a very fine thing in his own eyes. Each of Tylette's words provided a good excuse for his action or adorne

the moon. The Cat seemed greatly excited, did nothing but talk and

n the very oldest forest; they know him, because he hides among them. Then, in order to have ever

eemed to be hurrying towards them. Tylette arched her back: she felt that it was her old time enemy. She quivered with rage: was h

l and whispered to him,

ties, because his presence will make us fail in our object. He is on th

ng!" said Tyltyl, shak

plans, was much hurt by these hard words. He was ready to cry, was

"We don't want you here and there's an e

e, he would have gone; but his affection told him wh

" said the Cat to Tyltyl, in a w

e Dog, as the

each you to be more

as no limit to his self-sacrifice. He went up to his yo

you now you'v

to do; and the Cat swore between her teeth like a wild beast.

" she pleaded. "I'm frighten

nd they had to c

the Cat. And, turning to the Dog, she said, in her most gr

h the Cat and the Dog on either side of them. They were awed by the sile

re! Turn t

white star amidst the dark green of the wood. Everything was peaceful and still; but suddenly a strange shiver ran through the foliage; the branches moved and stretched like human arms; the roots raised the earth that covered them, c

hers came out with a jump; and all of the

lar began to chat

o them! We have done with silence!... W

he ratt

Chestnut-tree screwed his glass into his eye to stare at the Children. He wore a coat of green silk embroi

aken to living in town! He despises us!"

ellow, who came clattering along in a pair of wooden shoes too big

his eyes. He never stoppe

s?... Who'

duced the soul of

ace of Night, with his white flowing garments and his restless gestures. The tallest figure was the Fir-tree: Tyltyl found it very difficult to see his face perche

Blue Bird was hidden, when, all of a sudden, silence reigned. The Trees bowed respectfully and stood aside to make way for an immensely old Tree, dressed in a long gown embroidered with

f, when he saw his mistletoe crown. "I

seized with surprise and joy: there sat the Blue B

ed the boy, gleefully. "Qui

tongue!" said the gr

Tyltyl," said the

he danger that threatened him and he did not hesitate to answer, "Y

rage, began to lay a terrib

, four hundred and seventy-five uncles and aunts, twelve hundred cousins of both se

te a little; but Tyltyl listened wit

ing you.... The Cat said that you wo

his beard when he guessed the trap laid by the Cat and he felt very glad at it, for he h

ne's little girl, who is v

they?... All this concerns them as much as us.... We, the Trees, must not assu

"They are following the Rabbit.... I can see the souls of the Horse, the Bul

took up their positions in a circle among the Trees, all except the frivolous Goat, who began to skip down the

e present?"

the Stag has pains in his horns and his corns, the Fox is ill-here is the doctor

y funny? They are just like the rich children'

s cocked hat over his big ears, his blue, embr

brothers the Trees and to the Animals. Treacherous Ty

m us the secret which we have kept since the origin of life.... Now we know enough of Man to entertain no doubt as to the fate which he reserves for us, once he is in

tyl, who could not make out wh

round the Oak and n

eth, you old crip

he Oak!" said the

uted the Oak, angril

the Cat to Tyltyl. "I will arra

ff!" said Tylt

outy old beggar's moss

would have succeeded in saving his master, if the Cat had not thought of calling in the Ivy, who till t

dare, you old bal

them dared protest; and the Dog would have settled all of them, if he had gone on with his rebellion. But Tyltyl threatened him harshly; and, suddenly yielding to

agged and bound the poor Dog, who was then taken be

t time that it is given us to judge Man! I do not think that, after the monstrous injustice wh

ng from ev

Death!

, who were more accustomed to talking their own special language, did not speak ver

h them?" asked the boy.

Cat. "They are a little annoy

yltyl's ear, to divert his att

dangerous. The Bull suggested a good butt with the horns; the Beech offered his highest branch to hang the little Children on; and the Ivy wa

pered the Willow, "would be to

grunted betw

ould be to eat the little girl...

ve to decide is which of us shall have

to you, our King!

irm! To you, my evergreen brother, be the glory, in my pla

y to have the pleasure of burying the two victims and that he was afra

the Beech. "You know I am worm-e

e and he could hardly stand upright; and the Cypress excused himself and so did the Poplar,

ttle Children inspire you with terror!... Well, I shall go forth alone, old a

s stick, he moved towards T

the excitement, and had not come back. Mytyl nestled trembling against him; and he felt very lonely, very unhappy among those dreadful people who

that old one, with hi

ook with fright and rushed at the Oak to hold him back. There was a struggl

d. "Shame on us! Let the

venged together. Fortunately, their very eagerness caused a

red pierci

tyl, doing his best to prot

means to die game

eat first," said the Pig

ne to all of yo

my two sisters, my three uncles, my aunt, my grandpapa and my grandmamma.

cowards, waited for the little fellow to be knocked

t was an awful moment. All the Animals, seeing him on the ground, tried to get at him. The boy raised himself t

d wildly for

.. To the rescue!... Where i

the distance, where she was c

" she whined.

t he could, but he was alone against all of them, felt that he w

are too many of them!... The Bear!... The Pig! The W

and elbowing his way through the Trees and Animals and fl

be afraid! Have at them! I

nd Animals rais

!... Simpleton!... Sneak!... Leave him!..

g foug

.. True to the gods, to the best, to the greatest!... Take care

y tried to d

Elm! My hand's bleeding!" And he dropped t

are saved! It is Light!... Saved! Saved!... See, they're

rds them; and with her the dawn rose ov

ight of the little ones and their dear Tyl? covered with wounds and b

upon them. The souls of the Animals also disappeared; and there was nothing to be seen but a cow and a sheep bro

t for the Dog ... and if

and did not scold him. Besides, she was very mu

and sound, exchanged wild kisses. They laughingly

he only one t

roken my paw

e could have made

" he said. "

will you, you ugly

Tyltyl, repenting of his disobedience, dared not even mention the Blue Bir

Man is all alone against all in

erfall of tea

s, flooding