Bambi: Chapters 14 And 15

Tonight we read Chapters 14 and 15 of the timeless classic, Bambi, by Felix Salten. Tonight's reading describes Bambi interacting with one of The Elders and a lesson learned. This audio is perfect for children or adults who want to discover magic or find adventure before a great night's sleep.

Transcript

Bambi By Felix Salton Chapter 14 One day,

They were deep in the woods looking for the little clearing where Bambi had last come across the Elder.

Bambi told Phelan about him with great enthusiasm.

Maybe we'll find him again.

I really want to find him again.

That would be nice,

Said Phelan perkily.

I'd really like to talk with him sometime.

But she was not telling the truth.

She may well have been curious.

But in fact,

She was afraid of the Elder.

The sky was already light gray.

The sun was about to rise.

They ambled along next to each other into the place where the bushes and wild cabbages stood isolated from other vegetation so that there was a clear view in all directions.

They heard a rustling not far away.

They immediately stopped and looked in that direction.

The stag strode slowly and powerfully through the bushes and into the clearing.

In the twilight,

It was not possible to see any colors and he appeared as an enormous gray shadow.

Phelan immediately screamed.

Bambi took hold of himself.

He was,

Of course,

Just as startled as Phelan and her scream only made it worse.

But her voice had sounded so helpless that he felt pity for her and forced himself to reassure her.

What's the matter then?

He whispered anxiously,

But there was a tremble in his voice.

What's the matter?

He won't do us any harm.

Phelan simply continued screaming.

Don't get so upset,

My love.

It's not nice,

Bambi urged her.

It's ridiculous to always be afraid of these gentlemen.

They are relatives of ours after all.

But Phelan did not want to hear anything about their being relatives.

She stood there,

Very stiff,

Stared at the stag as he went unbothered on his way,

And she screamed and screamed.

Pull yourself together,

Scolded Bambi.

What's he going to think of us?

There was nothing that could have calmed Phelan down.

He can think what he wants,

She shouted,

And went on screaming.

Nobody should ever be as big as that.

She continued to scream and went on to say,

Leave me alone,

I can't help it,

I have to.

The stag was now standing in the little clearing,

And looking languidly in the grass for something tasty to eat.

As he looked alternately at Phelan as she panicked,

And at the calm and relaxed stag,

Something rose up in Bambi.

The words of comfort he had offered to Phelan had also helped him to overcome his own alarm at the sight of the stag.

Now he scolded himself for falling into a pitiful state every time he saw the stag.

A state where horror,

Excitement,

Admiration,

And inferiority were all mixed together and made him suffer.

That's all nonsense,

He decided with much effort.

Now I'm going to go right up to him and introduce myself.

Don't do that,

Shouted Phelan,

Don't do that,

Something terrible will happen.

I'm going to do it whatever happens,

Bambi retorted.

The stag,

So relaxed,

As he picked out all the best things to eat,

Paid no attention at all to Phelan as she screamed.

It seemed to Bambi that he was far too haughty.

He felt injured and humiliated.

I'm going out there,

He said,

Just calm down,

Nothing's going to happen,

You'll see,

You wait here.

He actually did go out there,

But Phelan did not wait,

She did not want to wait,

Not in the slightest,

And nor did she have the courage to do so.

She swung around and ran away and could still be heard as she got further and further away,

Screaming bow,

Bow.

Bambi would have liked to go after her,

But that was no longer really possible.

He pulled himself together and went forward.

Through the twigs and branches he could see the stag standing in the clearing,

His head lowered to the ground.

Bambi felt his heart thumping as he went out there.

The stag immediately raised his head high and looked over at him.

Then as if confused,

He looked straight ahead.

Bambi saw both these movements as very haughty.

The way the stag had looked at him and the way he was now occupied with looking straight ahead as if there were nobody there.

Bambi did not know what he should do.

He had come out here with the firm intention of speaking to the stag.

Good morning,

He would have said,

My name is Bambi,

May I ask what your name is,

Sir?

Finally he had imagined this as flowing out very smoothly and now it turned out to not be as simple as he thought.

What was the use here of having the best intentions?

Bambi did not want to seem to be badly brought up,

But that is how he would seem if he came out here without saying a word.

Nor did he want to impose himself on the stag,

But that was what he would be doing if he started speaking.

The stag stood there in an indignant majesty.

Bambi was alarmed and felt humiliated.

He tried in vain to shake himself into doing something and just one thought kept running through his head.

Why should I let him frighten me?

I'm just as good as he is.

Just as good as he is.

It did not help.

Bambi continued to feel frightened and felt deep in the heart of him that he was just not as good as he is,

Not by a long way.

He felt pitiful and he needed all his strength to keep any kind of dignity.

The stag looked at him and thought,

He is charming,

Truly delightful,

So good looking,

So elegant,

So fine in all his movements.

But I'd better not stare at him like this.

That would really not be proper and I might even embarrass him.

And he looked away from Bambi and went back to gazing into the distance.

That haughty look,

Bambi decided.

It's unbearable the way he puffs himself up.

The stag thought,

I'd like to talk with him.

He seems so likable.

It's so stupid the way that people never talk to each other.

And he continued to occupy himself with a gazing,

Thoughtful look into the distance.

I'm just like the air for him,

Said Bambi.

People like that always act as if they're the only people in the world.

But what should I say to him,

The stag wondered.

I've never had any practice in this.

I'd say something ridiculous and make myself a fool,

As I'm sure he's very clever.

Bambi pulled himself together and looked hard at the stag.

He's so majestic,

He thought,

Still unsure of himself.

Well,

Perhaps another time,

The stag finally concluded,

And he walked away,

Unsatisfied but majestic.

Bambi,

Embittered,

Stayed where he was.

Chapter 15 The forest was steaming under the burning sun.

Ever since it had risen,

It had been drinking all the clouds out of the sky,

Even the tiniest wisps,

And now it rained alone in the expanse of the blue,

Made pale by the heat.

Over the meadows and the tree tops,

The air shimmered in glassy,

Transparent waves,

Like it does above a flame.

Not a leaf moved,

Not a blade of grass.

The birds remained silent.

They sat hidden in the shade of the leaves,

And did not move from the spot.

All the paths and lanes through the clearings were empty,

As no animal was moving anywhere.

The forest lay motionless in the dazzling light,

As if in flame.

The earth breathed,

The trees,

The bushes,

And the animals breathed in the weighty luxury of this heat.

Bambi slept.

He had spent a happy night,

And into the light of morning,

Romping with fayline.

It was such bliss that even he forgot to eat,

But that was because he had tired himself out so much that he did not even feel any hunger.

His eyes fell shut.

He had just gone into the middle of the undergrowth where he stopped,

Laid himself down,

And fell straight to sleep.

The junipers,

Inflamed by the sun,

Threw out a bitter,

Sharp smell.

The fine aroma from the young dampness rose into his head and exhilarated him as he slept and gave him new strength.

Suddenly he woke up and felt confused.

Was that not fayline calling out?

Bambi looked around.

In his memory he could see her as she stood here close by the hawthorns and picking off the leaves while he lay down.

He had thought she would stay there beside him,

But now she was gone.

She had probably become tired of being alone and was now calling for him to come and find her.

As Bambi listened he wondered how long he could have been asleep,

And how many times fayline could have called.

He could not work it out.

His head was still dull behind the veil of sleep.

Then the call came again.

Bambi swung around suddenly to face the direction the sound came from.

There it was again,

And he was suddenly cheerful.

He felt wonderfully refreshed,

Felt he had rested long enough,

Felt strengthened,

And he felt immensely hungry.

He heard the call again,

Loud and clear,

As fine as gentle birdsong,

Yearning and tender.

Come.

Come.

Yes.

That was her voice.

That was fayline.

Bambi rushed from where he was with such urgency that the thin twigs on the bushes broke and their hot green leaves merely rustled.

But while he was jumping he had to stop and throw himself to one side.

There stood the Elder blocking his way.

The only thing seething in Bambi was his love.

He did not care about the Elder any more.

He would certainly come across him again sometime.

But now he had no time for the old gentleman,

However venerable they might be.

All he could think of now was fayline.

He made a perfunctory greeting and wanted to get quickly past him.

Where are you going?

The Elder asked seriously.

Bambi was slightly ashamed,

Wondering how he could talk his way out of it.

But then he regained his senses and answered honestly.

To her.

Don't go,

Said the Elder.

For a second a spark of anger rose up in Bambi.

Just one.

Not go to fayline?

How could the Elder expect that of him?

I'll just run away,

Thought Bambi.

And he quickly looked at the Elder.

But the depth of the gaze directed at him from the Elder's dark eyes held him where he was.

He shook with impatience.

But he did not run away.

She's calling for me,

He said,

By way of explanation.

He said it in a way that was clearly pleading.

Don't get in my way.

No,

Said the Elder.

She is not calling for you.

The sound came again.

Loud and clear like birdsong.

Come.

Again now,

Shouted Bambi as he became more cross.

Listen to me.

I'm listening,

The Elder nodded.

Goodbye then.

Bambi threw at him curtly.

But the Elder commanded him.

Stay here.

What is it you want then,

Shouted Bambi.

Out of control.

Let me go.

I haven't got time for this.

Please.

Bambi is calling for me.

You must be able to see.

I'm telling you,

Said the Elder,

That is not Feline.

Bambi was puzzled.

But I recognize her voice.

I can hear her quite clearly.

Listen to me,

The Elder continued.

The call came again.

The ground was burning under Bambi's feet.

Later I'll come back,

He implored.

No,

Said the Elder sadly.

You would not come back.

Not ever.

Then the call came yet again.

I've got to.

I've got to,

Bambi said.

He was beginning to lose entire control of himself.

All right then,

The Elder explained.

Still in command.

But the two of us will go there together.

Quickly,

Bambi declared and ran ahead.

No.

Go slowly.

The Elder now commanded in a voice that left Bambi with no choice but to obey.

You stay behind me.

Step by step.

The Elder began to move forward.

Bambi followed behind him,

Impatient and sighing.

Listen,

Said the Elder without stopping.

However many times you hear that call,

Do not move from my side.

If it is Feline,

Then we'll find her soon enough.

But if it's not Feline,

Don't let it tear you away from me.

It all depends on whether you trust me or not.

Bambi did not dare to contradict him and remain silent.

The Elder walked slowly forward and Bambi followed.

Oh,

How skilled the Elder was in knowing how to walk.

No sound came from under his hooves.

Not a leaf moved.

No twig cracked.

In this way the Elder crept through the dense undergrowth,

Slid his way through the tangle of ancient bushes.

Bambi could only be amazed.

He had to admire the Elder despite his feverish impatience.

He had never realized it was possible to go forward in this way.

The call came again and again.

The Elder stopped,

Listened,

And nodded his head.

Bambi stood near him,

Shaken with yearning,

Tortured by what he had to do,

And understood nothing.

The Elder stopped several times without the call having been heard.

He would throw his head up high,

Listen,

And nod.

Bambi heard nothing.

The Elder turned away from the direction the call was coming from.

He was going to approach it in a curve.

This made Bambi very angry.

The call came over and over again.

At last they were getting nearer,

Nearer still,

And then very near.

The Elder whispered,

Whatever you see now,

Don't move.

Do you hear?

Pay attention to everything I do and you do exactly the same.

Be careful and don't panic.

A few steps further on,

There came suddenly that sharp,

Stimulating smell that Bambi knew so well.

It came strong in his nose.

It was so strong that he nearly cried out.

He stood there as if nailed to the ground.

His heart suddenly began to beat so hard he could feel it in his throat.

The Elder stood relaxed next to him.

He showed the directions with his eyes.

There.

But there stood he.

He stood quite close nearby,

Pressed against the trunk of an oak tree covered in hazel bushes,

And the gentle call could be heard.

Come.

Come.

All that he could see was his back.

His face was very unclear and could only be seen at all when he turned his head slightly to one side.

Bambi was so completely confused,

So shocked that he only slowly came to understand.

He was standing there.

It was him who'd been imitating Faelin's voice.

It was him who'd been whistling.

Come.

Come.

A pale horror ran through all of Bambi's limbs.

The thought of flight came up from his heart and pulled at him,

Tugged at him.

Keep still,

The Elder prompted,

Commanding in a whisper,

As if he wanted to preempt an outbreak of panic.

And Bambi with some effort kept control of himself.

The Elder looked at him.

It seemed Bambi at first,

Despite where he was,

That the Elder was gently mocking him.

But then straight afterwards,

He seemed once more to be fully serious and benevolent.

Bambi blinked as he looked over to where he stood,

And felt that he would no longer be able to stand being near something as horrifying as this.

The Elder seemed to understand what Bambi was thinking and whispered,

Let's go,

As he turned round and left.

They crept carefully away,

The Elder moving in strange zigzags,

Though Bambi could not understand why.

Even now he found it hard to contain his impatience as he followed these slow steps.

It had been his yearning for Feilin that had driven him along the path to this place,

And now the urge to flee was chasing through his veins.

The Elder,

Though,

Continued in his slow walk,

Then stopped,

Listened,

Went on,

Still on a zigzag route,

Stopping again,

Went on again,

Slowly,

Very slowly.

They must by now have been well away from the place of terror.

He keeps on stopping,

So I suppose it'll be all right to start speaking again,

And then I'll say thank you to him.

He could see the Elder just in front of him as he disappeared into a dense tangle of dogwood bushes.

Not a leaf moved,

Not a twig cracked as the Elder crept into it.

Bambi followed him and tried very hard to pass through just as silently,

Just as artfully to avoid making any sound.

But he did not have that luck.

The leaves rustled gently,

Branches bent under the pressure of his flank,

Flicked back again with a loud rattling.

Dry twigs broke with a quick,

Loud crack against his breast.

He saved my life,

Bambi continued to ponder.

What should I say to him?

But the Elder could no longer be seen.

Bambi stepped very slowly out of the bushes,

Saw a wild tangle of goldenrods in front of him,

Raised his head and looked around.

There was not a blade of grass moving for as far as he could see.

He was alone.

There was nothing now to tell him what to do,

And the urge to flee quickly took hold of him.

As he rushed through them,

The goldenrods were divided with a broad hiss,

As if being cut down.

It was a long time wandering lost in the forest before he found Phelene.

He was breathless.

He was tired.

He was happy and deeply moved.

Please,

My love,

He said,

Please don't call to me when we're apart.

Never call to me again.

We can look for each other until we find one another,

But please don't call to me as your voice is something I can't resist.

And that is the end of our story this evening.

Until next time,

Sweet dreams.

Reviews

Beautiful

I love love love your story telling Hilary! 💕
But such a long wait in between chapters 😞
I’d given up on our dear deer 🦌
I welcome the continuation of this amazing tale! 🙏🪬💫