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Chapter 2. At the fairies.
The fairy Baralun's palace stood at the top of avery high mountain, on the way to the moon.
It was so near that, on summer nights, when thesky was clear, you could plainly see the moon's
mountains and valleys, lakes and seas from theterrace of the palace. Here the fairy studied
the stars and read their secrets, for it was longsince the earth had had anything to teach her.
This old planet no longer interests me. She usedto say to her friends, the giants of the
mountain. The men upon it still live with theireyes shut. Poor things, I pity them. I go downamong
them now and then, but it is out of charity, totry and save the little children from the fatal
misfortune that awaits them in the darkness. Thisexplains why she had come and knocked at the
door of Dadital's cottage on Christmas Eve. Andnow to return to our travelers. They had hardly
reached the high road, when the fairy rememberedthat they could not walk like that through the
village, which was still lit up because of thefeast. But her store of knowledge was so great
that all her wishes were fulfilled at once. Shepressed lightly on Tabal's head and willed that
they should all be carried by magic to her palace.Then and there, a cloud of fireflies
surrounded our companions and wafted them gentlytowards the sky. They were at the fairy's palace
before they had recovered from their surprise.Follow me, she said and led them through chambers
and passages all in gold and silver. They stockedin a large room surrounded with mirrors
on every side and containing an enormous wardrobewith light creeping through its chinks.
The fairy Beryllune took a diamond key from herpocket and opened the wardrobe.
One cry of amazement burst from every throat. Precious stuffs were seen piled one on the top
of the other, mantles covered with gems, dressesof every sort and every country,
pearl cornets, emerald necklaces, ruby bracelets.Never had the children beheld such riches.
As for the things, their state was rather one ofutter bewilderment, and this was only natural,
when you think that they were seeing the world forthe first time and that it showed itself to
them in such a queer way. The fairy helped themmake their choice. Fire, Sugar and the Cat
displayed a certain decision of taste. Fire, whoonly cared for red, at once chose a splendidbright
red dress, with gold spangles. He put nothing onhis head, for his head was always very hot.
Sugar could not stand anything except white andpale blue, bright colors jarred on his sweet
nature. The long blue and white dress which heselected in the pointed hat, like a candle
extinguisher, which he wore on his head made himlook perfectly ridiculous, but he was too silly
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to notice it and kept spinning before the glasslike a top and admiring himself in blissful
ignorance. The Cat, who was always a lady and whowas used to her dusky garments, reflected that
black always looks well, in any circumstance,particularly now, when they were traveling
without luggage. She therefore put on a suit ofblack tights with jet embroidery, hung a long
velvet cloak from her shoulders and perched alarge cavalier hat, with a long feather, on her
neat little head. She next asked for a pair ofsoft kid boots, in memory of Puss in Boots,
her distinguished ancestor, and put a pair ofgloves on her forepaws, to protect them from
the dust of the roads. Thus attired, she took asatisfied glance at the mirror. Then, a little
nervously, with an anxious eye and a quiveringpink nose, she hastily invited Sugar and Fire to
take the air with her. So they all three walkedout, while the others went on dressing.
Let us follow them for a moment, for we havealready grown to like our brave little
Tybalt and we shall want to hear anything that islikely to help or delay his undertaking.
After passing through several splendid galleries,hung like balconies in the sky,
our three cronies stopped in the hall, and the Catat once addressed the meeting in a hushed voice.
I have brought you here, she said, in order todiscuss the position in which we are placed.
Let us make the most of our last moment ofliberty. But she was interrupted by a furious
uproar. Go, wow, wow! There now, cried the Cat.There's that idiot of a dog. He has sented us out.
We can't get a minute's peace. Let us hide behindthe balustrade. He had better not hear what I
have to say to you. It's too late, said Sugar, whowas standing by the door. And, sure enough,
Tyla was coming up, jumping, barking, panting anddelighted. The Cat, when she saw him,
turned away in disgust. He has put on the liveryof one of the footmen of Cinderella's coach.
It is just the thing for him, he has the soul of aflunky. She ended these words with a FFT. FFT.
And, stroking her whiskers, took up her stand,with a defiant air, between Sugar and Fire.
The good dog did not see her little game. He waswholly wrapped up in the pleasure 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 skirtsopening every now and then and showing his little
stumpy tail, which was all the more expressive asit had to express itself very briefly. For I
need hardly tell you that Tylo, like every well-bred bulldog, had had his tail and his ears
cropped as a puppy. Poor fellow, he had long envied the tails of his brother-dogs, which
allowed them to use a much larger and more variedvocabulary. But physical deficiencies and the
hardships of fortune strengthen our innermostqualities. Tylo's soul, having no outward means
of expressing itself, had only gained throughsilence, and his look, which was always filled
with love, had become very eloquent. To-day hisbig dark eyes glistened with delight, he had
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suddenly changed into a man. He was all overmagnificent clothes, and he was about to perform
a grand errand across the world in company withthe gods. There, he said. There. Aren't we fine?
Just look at this lace and embroidery. It's realgold and no mistake. He did not see that the
others were laughing at him, for, to tell thetruth, he did look very comical, but, like all
simple creatures, he had no sense of humor. He wasso proud of his natural garment of yellow hair
that he had put on no waistcoat, in order that noone might have a doubt as to where he sprang from.
For the same reason, he had kept his collar, withhis address on it. A big red velvet coat,
heavily braided with gold lace, reached to hisknees, and the large pockets on either side
would enable him, he thought, always to carry afew provisions, for Tylo was very greedy.
On his left ear, he wore a little round cap withan osprey feather in it and he kept it on his
big square head by means of an elastic which cuthis fat, loose cheeks in two. His other ear
remained free. Cropped close to his head in theshape of a little paper-screw bag, this ear was
a watchful receiver into which all the sounds oflife fell, like pebbles disturbing its rest.
He had also encased his hind legs in a pair ofpatent leather riding boots, with white tops,
but his forepaws he considered of such use thatnothing would have induced him to put them into
gloves. Tylo had too natural a character to changehis little ways all in a day, and, in spite of his
new-blown honors, he allowed himself to do undignified things. He was at the present
moment lying on the steps of the hall, scratchingthe ground and sniffing at the wall, when suddenly
he gave a start and began to whine and whimper.His lower lip shook nervously as though he were
going to cry. What's the matter with the idiotnow? asked the cat, who was watching him out of
the corner of her eye. But she at once understood.A very sweet song came from the distance,
and Tylo could not endure music. The song drewnearer, a girl's fresh voice filled the shadows
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 softand graceful that they were suspected rather than
seen. A beautiful silvery dress waved and floatedaround her, and her hair decked with
corals flowed below her knees. When Fire caughtsight of her, like the rude and spiteful fellow
that he was, he sneered. She's not brought herumbrella. But Water, who was really quite witty
and who knew that she was the stronger of the two,chaffed him pleasantly and said, with a
glance at his glowing nose. I beg your pardon? Ithought you might be speaking of a great red nose
I saw the other day. The others began to laugh andpoke fun at Fire, whose face was always like
a red-hot coal. Fire angrily jumped to theceiling, keeping his revenge for later. Meanwhile,
the cat went up to Water very cautiously and paidher ever so many compliments on her dress.
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I need hardly tell you that she did not mean aword of it, but she wished to be friendly with
everybody, for she wanted their votes, to carryout her plan, and she was anxious at not seeing
bread, because she did not want to speak beforethe meeting was complete. What can he be doing?
She mewed, time after time. He was making anendless fuss about choosing his dress,
said the dog. At last, he decided in favor of aTurkish robe, with a scimitar and a turban.
They all looked at her with a bewildered air. Theyunderstood that it was a solemn moment.
The words were not out of his mouth, when a shapeless and ridiculous bulk,
clad in all the colors of the rainbow, came andblocked the narrow door of the hall.
It was the enormous stomach of bread, who filledthe whole opening. He kept on knocking himself,
without knowing why, for he was not very cleverand, besides, he was not yet used to moving about
in human beings' houses. At last, it occurred tohim to stoop, and, by squeezing through
sideways, he managed to make his way into thehall. It was certainly not a triumphal entry,
but he was pleased with it all the same. Here Iam, he said. Here I am. I have put on Bluebeard's
finest dress. What do you think of this? The dogbegan to frisk around him, he thought bread
magnificent. That yellow velvet costume, coveredall over with silver crescents, reminded Tylo
of the delicious horseshoe rolls which he loved,and the huge, gaudy turban on bread's head was
really very like a fairy bun. How nice he looks,he cried. How nice he looks!
Bread was shyly followed by milk. Her simple mindhad made her prefer her cream dress to all
the finery which the fairy suggested to her. Shewas really a model of humility.
Bread was beginning to talk about the dresses ofTytole, Light, and Midole, when the cat cut
him short in a masterful voice. We shall see themin good time, she said. Stop chattering,
listen to me, time presses, our future is atstake. They all looked at her with a bewildered
air. They understood that it was a solemn moment,but the human language was still full of mystery
to them. Sugar wriggled his long fingers as a signof distress, bread patted his huge stomach,
water lay on the floor and seemed to suffer fromthe most profound despair,
and milk only had eyes for bread, who had been herfriend for ages and ages.
The cat, becoming impatient, continued her speech.The fairy has just said it,
the end of this journey will, at the same time,mark the end of our lives. It is our business,
therefore, to spend the journey out as long aspossible and by every means in our power.
Bread, who was afraid of being eaten as soon as hewas no longer a man,
hastened to express approval, but the dog, who wasstanding a little way off,
pretending not to hear, began to growl deep downin his soul. He well knew what the cat was
driving at, and, when Tylette ended her speechwith the words, we must at all costs prolong the
journey and prevent Blue Bird from being found,even if it means endangering the lives of the
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children, the good dog, obeying only the promptings of his heart, leapt at the cat to bite
her. Sugar, Bread and Fire flung themselvesbetween them.
Order! Order, said Bread pompously. I'm in thechair at this meeting.
Who made you chairman? Storm Fire!
Who asked you to interfere? Ask Water, whirlingher wet hair over Fire.
Excuse me, said Sugar, shaking all over, in conciliatory tones. Excuse me.
This is a serious moment. Let us talk things overin a friendly way.
I quite agree with Sugar and the cat, said Bread,as though that ended the matter.
This is ridiculous, said the dog, barking andshowing his teeth. There is man and that's all.
We have to obey him and do as he tells us. Irecognize no one but him. Hurrah for man!
Man forever! In life or death, all for man! Man iseverything!
But the cat's shrill voice rose above all theothers. She was full of grudges against man and
she wanted to make use of the short spell ofhumanity which she now enjoyed to avenge her
whole race. All of us here present, she cried,animals, things and elements, possess a soul
which man does not yet know. That is why we retaina remnant of independence, but, if he
finds the blue bird, he will know all, he will seeall and we shall be completely at his mercy.
Remember the time when we wandered at liberty uponthe face of the earth?
But, suddenly her face changed, her voice sank toa whisper and she hissed,
Look out! I hear the fairy and light coming. Ineed hardly tell you that light has taken
sides with man and means to stand by him, she isour worst enemy. Be careful!
But our friends had had no practice in trickeryand, feeling themselves in the wrong, took up such
ridiculous and uncomfortable attitudes that thefairy, the moment she appeared upon the threshold,
exclaimed. What are you doing in that corner? Youlook like a pack of conspirators.
Quite scared and thinking that the fairy hadalready guessed their wicked intentions,
they fell upon their knees before her. Luckily forthem, the fairy hardly gave a thought to what
was passing through their little minds. She hadcome to explain the first part of the journey to
the children and to tell each of the others whatto do. Tyvel and Midel stood hand in hand in front
of her, looking a little frightened and a littleawkward in their fine clothes. They stared at
each other in childish admiration. The little girlwas wearing a yellow silk frock embroidered with
pink posies and covered with gold spangles. On herhead was a lovely orange velvet cap,
and a starched muslin tucker covered her littlearms. Tyvel was dressed in a red jacket and blue
knickerbockers, both of velvet, and of course hewore the wonderful little hat on his head.
Delighted with the importance of his duty, undidthe top of his robe,
drew his scimitar and cut two slices out of hisstomach. The fairy said to them.
It is just possible that the blue bird is hidingat your grandparents' in the land of memory,
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so you will go there first. But how shall we seethem, if they are dead? asked Tyvel.
Then the good fairy explained that they would notbe really dead until their grandchildren ceased
to think of them. Men do not know this secret, sheadded. But, thanks to the diamond, you,
Tyvel, will see that the dead whom we rememberlive as happily as though they were not dead.
Are you coming with us? asked the boy, turning toLight, who stood in the doorway and lit up all
the hall. No, said the fairy. Light must not lookat the past. Her energies must be devoted
to the future. The two children were starting ontheir way, when they discovered that they
were very hungry. The fairy at once ordered breadto give them something to eat, and that big,
fat fellow, delighted with the importance of hisduty, undid the top of his robe,
drew his scimitar and cut two slices out of hisstomach. The children screamed with laughter.
Tyvel dropped his gloomy thoughts for a moment andbegged for a bit of bread,
and everybody struck up the farewell chorus.Sugar, who was very full of himself, also wanted
to impress the company and, breaking off two ofhis fingers, handed them to the astonished
children. As they were all moving towards thedoor, the fairy Beryllune stopped them.
Not today, she said. The children must go alone.It would be indiscreet to accompany them,
they are going to spend the evening with theirlate family. Come, be off. Goodbye,
dear children, and mind that you are back in goodtime, it is extremely important.
Sugar also wanted to impress the company and,breaking off two of his fingers,
handed them to the astonished children. The twochildren took each other by the hand and,
carrying the big cage, passed out of the hall, andtheir companions, at a sign from the fairy,
filed in front of her to return to the palace. Ourfriend Tylo was the only one who did not
answer to his name. The moment he heard the fairysay that the children were to go alone,
he had made up his mind to go and look after them,whatever happened, and, while the others
were saying good-bye, he hid behind the door. Butthe poor fellow had reckoned without the
all-seeing eyes of the fairy Beryllune. Tylo, shecried. Tylo! Here! And the poor dog,
who had so long been used to obey, dared notresist the command and came, with his tail
between his legs, to take his place among theothers. He howled with despair when he saw his
little master and mistress swallowed up in thegreat gold staircase.
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