The original book is a public book, that is, the copyright owner has died for more than 50 years, and the copyright of the book is transferred to public copyright.

The original text is from the online library of Project Gutenberg: Bluebird Chapter 1.

Chapter one? Lumberjack log cabin

Once upon a time, there was a cabin near an ancient forest. There lived a woodcutter, his wife and two lovely children. The children had the most wonderful adventure.

However, before telling you this story, I have to describe their looks and personalities; Because, if they were not so cute and brave, the story you are about to hear would never happen.

Teddy-this is the name of the little hero-is ten years old this year; And his sister, Meade, is only 6 years old this year.

Teddy is a healthy, tall little guy with a strong body and a good figure. Because of playfulness, curly black hair is always messy. He is everyone's darling: gentle smile, bright eyes; However, the most important thing is that this fearless child shows many of his advantages. Early in the morning, he followed his father Tai and trotted along the forest. Although he is wearing shabby clothes, his face is full of pride and heroism, as if everything in the world is eager to greet him with a smile.

My sister Midi is different. She is wearing a long skirt carefully mended and cleaned by her Thai mother, which looks so sweet and lovely. Unlike her dark-skinned brother, her skin is white and bright, and her shy big eyes are as blue as a girl swaying in the wilderness without sorrow. She is timid and often cries over trifles. However, at a young age, she already has a maternal heart: she loves her brother, gentle and unconditionally loyal, so she does not hesitate to accompany him on a long and dangerous journey.

What happened afterwards? How did our little hero break into another world overnight in search of happiness? This is the theme of my story.

Grandfather's cabin is the most shabby house in the country, and the magnificent palace opposite is even more shabby. Every night, when the lights are on in the opposite living room and studio, you can clearly see the scene inside the palace by standing in front of the window of the wooden house. During the day, you will see children playing on the terrace, in the garden and in the greenhouse full of exotic flowers and plants, which makes the people in the town amazed.

Now, on a special night-Christmas Eve, mother put the children on the bed and gave them a more affectionate good night kiss than before. She's a little sad. Because of the storm, father Tai can't go to work in the forest, so he has no money to buy gifts. Teddy and Midi's Christmas stockings are still empty. The children soon fell asleep, and everything was silent tonight, except the purring of the cat's stomach, the snoring of the dog sleeping and the ticking of his great-grandfather's old clock. However, a beam of light as bright as day quietly passed through the shutters, and the lamp on the table lit up by itself. At this time, the children woke up, yawned, rubbed their sleepy eyes and stretched themselves on the bed. Teddy whispered:

"Midi?"

"What's the matter, Teddy?" After hearing the answer, he asked, "Are you asleep?"

"What about you?"

"No." Teddy said. "I'm talking to you. How can I fall asleep? "

"You think it's Christmas?" My sister asked.

"Not yet; We must wait until dawn. But Santa won't give us presents this year. "

"Why?"

"Listen to mom said she can't go to town to inform Santa Claus. But he will come next year. "

"How long before next year?"

"A long time," my brother replied. "But he will definitely go to those rich children tonight."

"Really?"

"ah!" Teddy suddenly let out a cry. "Mommy forgot to turn off the lights! ... I have an idea! "

"What?"

"Let's get up."

"But mom said not to do this," said Midi, who is always the most obedient child.

"Why not? There is no one else here! ... have you seen the blinds? "

"Oh, it's so bright!"

"This is the party light," Teddy said firmly.

"What party?"

"It's a rich kid across the street. This is the Christmas tree. Let's open the shutters ... "

"Is that all right?" Midi asked timidly.

"Of course, no one is stopping us now ... hear the music? ... let's get up. "

The two children jumped out of bed, ran to the window, climbed on the stool and opened the shutters. A beam of light filled the room and the children couldn't wait to look out of the window:

"Look clearly!" Teddy is very excited.

"I can't see it," said Xiaomi Di piteously. She was almost squeezed by her brother.

"It's snowing outside!" Teddy said. "There are two carriages and a six-horse carriage!"

"There are 12 little boys!" Midi added that she had been trying to look out of the window.

"Don't be silly! ... that's the little girl ... "

"They are wearing knickerbockers ..."

"shh! ... look! …"

"What are those shiny things, those hanging on the tree?"

"What's the matter? It is a toy. It must be! " Teddy said. "Sword, gun, soldier, cannon ..."

"What is that thing all over the table?"

"Cake, fruit and cream pie."

"Oh, these children are so beautiful!" Midi couldn't help applauding.

"And they are so happy, laughing and laughing!" Teddy agreed cheerfully.

"The little guys are dancing! …"

"Yes, yes, let's jump!" Teddy cried excitedly.

The two little guys were so happy that they could not help stamping their feet on the stool.

"Oh, how interesting!" Midi is very happy.

"They are taking cakes!" Teddy cried. "They can move food! ... they're eating, see? Look! ... oh, good, good! …"

Midi began to count her imaginary cakes:

"I have 12!"

"Then mine is four times as big as yours!" Teddy said. "But I will give you some ..."

? And our little hero danced and laughed excitedly, sincerely happy for the happiness of other children, but forgot his poor situation. They won the prize soon. Suddenly, someone knocked at the door loudly. The frightened children stopped making noise and dared not move. Then the big cork lifted itself and made a loud creak. The door slowly opened and a little old woman came in. She was dressed in green and wore a red scarf on her head. She is hunchbacked, lame or one-eyed, with her nose almost touching her chin and leaning on crutches. This is obviously a fairy.

? She staggered up to the children and asked in a trembling voice:

"Do you have any singing grass or bluebirds here?"

"We do have some grass," Teddy replied, trembling with fear. "But it can't sing ..."

"Teddy has a bird," said Midi.

"But I won't give it away because it's mine," the little guy quickly added.

Isn't that the first question?

The fairy put on her big round glasses and looked at the bird carefully.

"It's not blue enough," she cried. "I must find the real bluebird. For my little daughter, she is very ill now … do you know what bluebird means? Don't you know? I think so, but since you are all good children, I will tell you the secret. "

What is the secret? We'll talk about it next time. )