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The Blue Bird
Chapter 1
The Woodcutter's Cottage
Once upon a time, a woodcutter and his wife livedin their cottage on the edge of a large andancient forest.
They had two dear little children who met with amost wonderful adventure.
But, before telling you all about it, I mustdescribe the children to you and let you knowsomething of their character, for, if they had notbeen so sweet and brave and plucky, the curiousstory which you are about to hear would never havehappened at all.
Tildel, that was our hero's name, was ten yearsold, and Maitel, his little sister, was only six.
Tildel was a fine, tall little fellow, stout andwell set up, with curly black hair which was oftenin a tangle, for he was fond of a romp.
He was a great favorite because of his smiling andgood-tempered face and the bright look in hiseyes, but, best of all, he had the ways of a boldand fearless little man, which showed the noblequalities of his heart.
When, early in the morning, he trotted along theforest road by the side of his daddy, to the woodcutter, for all his shabby clothes he looked soproud and gallant that every beautiful thing onthe earth and in the sky seemed to lie in wait forhim to smile upon him as he passed.
His little sister was very different, but lookedever so sweet and pretty in her long frock, whichMumital kept neatly patched for her.
She was as fair as her brother was dark, and herlarge timid eyes were blue as the forget-me-notsin the fields.
Anything was enough to frighten her and she wouldcry at the least thing, but her little child soulalready held the highest womanly qualities, shewas loving and gentle and so fondly devoted to herbrother that, rather than abandon him, she did nothesitate to undertake a long and dangerous journeyin his company.
What happened and how our little hero and heroinewent off into the world one night in search ofhappiness, that is the subject of my story.
Dadital's cottage was the poorest of thecountryside, and it seemed even more wretchedbecause it stood opposite a splendid hall in whichrich children lived.
From the windows of the cottage you could see whatwent on inside the hall when the dining-room anddrawing-rooms were lit up in the evening.
And, in the daytime, you saw the little childrenplaying on the terraces, in the gardens and in thehothouses which people came all the way from townto visit because they were always filled with therarest flowers.
Now, one evening which was not like otherevenings, for it was Christmas Eve, Mumital puther little ones to bed and kissed them even morelovingly than usual.
She felt a little sad because, owing to the stormyweather, Dadital was not able to go to work in theforest, and so she had no money to buy presentswith which to fill Tobel and Mital's stockings.
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The children soon fell asleep, everything wasstill and silent and not a sound was heard but thepurring of the cat, the snoring of the dog and theticking of the great-grandfather's clock.
But suddenly a light as bright as day creptthrough the shutters, the lamp upon the table litagain of itself and the two children awoke, yawned, rubbed their eyes, stretched out their arms inbed and Tobel in a cautious voice called.
Mital? Yes, Tobel? was the answer. Are you asleep?Are you?
No, said Tobel. How can I be asleep when I'mtalking to you?
I say, if this Christmas Day? asked his sister.
Not yet, not till tomorrow. But Father Christmaswon't bring us anything this year.
Why not? I heard Mummy say that she couldn't go totown to tell him. But he will come next year.
Is next year far off? A good long while, said theboy. But he will come to the rich childrentonight.
Really? Hello, cried Tobel of a sudden. Mummy'sforgotten to put out the lamp. I've an idea.
What? Let's get up. But we mustn't, said Mital,who always remembered.
Why, there's no one about. Do you see the shutters? Oh, how bright they are!
It's the lights of the party, said Tobel. Whatparty? The rich children opposite.
It's the Christmas tree. Let's open the shutters.Can we? asked Mital, timidly.
Of course we can, there's no one to stop us. Doyou hear the music? Let us get up.
The two children jumped out of bed, ran to thewindow, climbed on the stool in front of it and
threw back the shutters. A bright light filled theroom, and the children looked out eagerly.
We can see everything, said Tobel. I can't, saidpoor little Mital,
who could hardly find room on the stool. It's snowing, said Tobel. There are two carriages,
with six horses each. There are twelve little boysgetting out, said Mital,
who was doing her best to peep out of the window.Don't be silly. They're little girls.
They've got knickerbockers on. Do be quiet. Andlook! What are those gold things there,
hanging from the branches? Why, toys, to be sure,said Tobel. Swords, guns, soldiers, cannons.
And what's that, all round the table? Cakes andfruit and cream tarts.
Oh, how pretty the children are, cried Mital,clapping her hands.
And how they're laughing and laughing, answeredTobel. And the little ones dancing.
Yes, yes, let's dance too, shouted Tobel. And thetwo children began to stamp their feet for joy
on the stool. Oh, what fun, said Mital. They'regetting the cakes, cried Tobel.
They can touch them. They're eating, they'reeating, they're eating. Oh, how lovely, howlovely.
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Mital began to count imaginary cakes. I havetwelve.
And I four times twelve, said Tobel. But I'll giveyou some.
And our little friends, dancing, laughing and shrieking with delight,
rejoiced so prettily in the other children'shappiness that they forgot their own poverty
and want. They were soon to have their reward.Suddenly, there came a loud knocking at the
door. The startled children ceased their romp anddared not move a limb. Then the big wooden
latch lifted of itself, with a loud creak, thedoor opened slowly, and in crept a little old
woman, dress all in green, with a red hood overher head. She was humpbacked and lame and had only
one eye, her nose and chin almost touched, and shewalked leaning on a stick. She was surely a fairy.
