Bambi Chapters: 18, 19, And 20

Tonight we read Chapters 18, 19, and 20 of the timeless classic, Bambi, by Felix Salten. Tonight's reading describes the highs and lows of a naive creature who returned to the forest. This audio is perfect for children or adults who want to discover magic or find adventure before a great night's sleep. Warning: chapter 20 ends in tragedy.

Transcript

Bambi by Felix Salton,

Chapter 18 One day,

Marina turned up again.

She was already nearly grown up when Gobo disappeared,

But she was almost never to be seen since then.

She held herself apart and went on her own solitary ways.

She had always had a slight build and looked quite young,

But she was serious and quiet and was more gentle than anyone else.

Now she had heard from the squirrel,

From the jays and the magpies,

From thrush and pheasant,

That Gobo had come back home and had had wonderful experiences.

There she appeared and wanted to see him.

Gobo's mother was very proud and happy about her visit.

Most of all,

Gobo's mother was very proud of how happy she seemed.

She was glad that the entire forest was talking about her son.

She wallowed in his fame and she wanted everyone to acknowledge that Gobo was the cleverest,

The most capable,

And the best.

What do you think,

Marina,

She called.

What do you think of Gobo?

She did not wait for an answer,

But just continued.

Can you still remember that time when Miss Netless said he wouldn't amount to much because he shivered a bit in the cold?

And can you remember how she prophesied I'd never get much joy from him?

Gobo certainly gave you enough to worry about,

Marina answered.

That's all in the past,

Gobo's mother declared,

And she was very surprised that anyone could still be thinking of these things.

Oh,

I feel so sorry about poor Miss Netless.

It's such a shame that she's no longer alive and can't see what my Gobo has made of himself.

Yes,

Poor Miss Netless,

Said Marina gently.

It's a pity about her.

Gobo enjoyed hearing his mother praise him like this.

It pleased him.

He stood there and felt as good as of standing in warm sunshine when he heard these praises.

His mother said to Marina,

Even the old prince came to see Gobo.

She said it in a way that was secretive,

In a whisper,

And celebratory.

He's never let any of us catch a glimpse of him,

But when it was Gobo,

He came.

Why did he call me a poor thing?

Asked Gobo,

Sounding very discontented.

I'd like to know what that was supposed to mean.

Don't you worry about that,

His mother assured him.

He's very old and a bit odd,

But now finally said what was on his mind.

All this time it's been going around my head what he meant by that.

You poor thing.

I'm not poor.

I'm not unlucky.

I'm very lucky.

I've seen more.

I've had more experiences than anyone else.

I know more about the world and about life than anyone here in the forest.

What do you think,

Marina?

Yes,

She said.

There's certainly no one who can say that.

From that day on,

Marina and Gobo were always together.

Chapter 19 Bambi looked for the elder.

He would walk around all through the nights,

Wandered about the time the sun rose up and when the morning sky was red,

All along uncharted ways without Feline.

There were times when he still felt an urge to go to her.

Sometimes he was still as happy to be with her as he had been before.

He found it beautiful to walk about with her,

To hear her chatting,

To have a meal with her at the edge of the thicket.

And now these were things that did not satisfy him as much as they had done before.

Before it was rare for him to think of the elder when he was with Feline,

And even then it was only fleetingly.

Now he was out searching for the elder.

He felt a yearning to see him and remembered about Feline only once.

He could always find her whenever he wanted her.

He felt little urge to be together with the others,

Though.

Gobo or Auntie Ina.

He avoided them whenever he could.

Bambi was unable to stop thinking about the phrase that the elder had used about Gobo.

He'd been remarkably struck by it.

From the first day that he'd come back,

Gobo's reappearance had seriously disturbed him.

Bambi did not know why,

But when Gobo looked at him,

It immediately seemed to make him suffer.

Bambi was ashamed of Gobo but did not know why.

He was worried about him without knowing why.

But now whenever he was with the incautious,

Self-conscious,

Complacent,

And haughty Gobo,

That phrase came to his mind.

You poor thing.

He could not get it out of his head.

But one dark night,

In which Bambi had once again assured the Owlet,

Just to please him,

That he had been dreadfully startled by him,

It suddenly occurred to Bambi to ask where the elder might be.

The Owlet replied,

In his cooing voice,

That he did not have the slightest idea.

But Bambi could see that he did not really want to say.

No,

He said.

I don't believe you.

You're ever so clever.

You know about everything that goes on in this forest.

I'm sure you know where the elder is hiding.

The Owlet went back down into a nice,

Soft,

Grey-brown ball,

Turned his big,

Clever eyes a little as he always did when he felt like it,

And asked,

Well then,

Do you really have such respect for me?

Why's that then?

Bambi did not hesitate.

Because you're so wise,

He said candidly.

And despite that,

You're such fun and so friendly.

And because you can frighten others so well.

That's so clever,

To startle others.

So very clever.

I wish I could do that.

That would be very useful for me.

The Owlet had sunk his beak deep into his breast feathers and was pleased.

Well,

He said,

I know that the elder likes your company.

Do you think so?

Exclaimed Bambi as the Owlet spoke,

And his heart began to beat with joy.

Yes,

I'm sure of it,

Answered the Owlet.

He likes your company,

And that's why I think I might dare to tell you where he is now.

He pulled his feathers down against his body and suddenly looked quite thin again.

Do you know that deep gorge where the willows are?

Yes,

Bambi nodded.

Do you know the thicket of oak trees on the other side?

No,

Bambi admitted,

I've never been on the other side.

Now listen carefully,

The Owlet whispered.

On the other side there's a thicket of oak trees.

You have to go through there and you come to an area of bushes,

Hazel and white poplars,

Hawthorns and privet.

In the middle there you'll need to find an old beech tree that's been broken down by the wind.

It won't be as easy for you to find down on the ground,

Certainly not as easy as it is from up in the air.

But that's where the elder lives,

Under the trunk of that tree.

But,

Don't say I told you.

Under the trunk?

Yes,

The Owlet laughed,

There's a dip in the ground there.

The hollow trunk lies over it.

That's where he is.

Thank you,

Said Bambi with enthusiasm.

I don't know whether I'll be able to find him,

But thank you a thousand times.

He hurried away.

Making no sound,

The Owlet flew along behind him and close above him he began to screech.

Bambi was startled.

Did I shock you?

The Owlet asked.

Yes,

He stuttered and this time he was telling the truth.

The Owlet felt satisfied with himself and cooed,

I just wanted to remind you,

Don't say I told you.

Of course I won't,

Bambi assured him and he ran off.

When he reached the gorge,

The elder emerged from the darkness of chamber right in front of him.

So silently and so suddenly that Bambi was greatly startled once again.

I'm not there anymore.

Where you hoped to find me,

The elder said.

Bambi said nothing.

What do you want from me?

The elder asked.

Nothing,

Stuttered Bambi.

Oh,

Nothing,

Do forgive me.

After a pause,

The elder said gently.

It wasn't just today that you started looking for me.

He waited.

Bambi said nothing.

The elder continued.

You passed quite close to me twice yesterday and twice this morning too.

Very close.

Why?

Bambi gathered up his courage.

Why did you say that about Gobo?

Do you think I was mistaken?

No,

Bambi declared with a passion.

No,

I think you must be right.

The elder nodded very slightly and his eyes looked at Bambi with more benevolence than ever before.

Bambi said to these eyes.

But why?

I can't understand it.

It's enough that you think so.

You'll understand it later.

Farewell.

Chapter 20 It was not long before everyone noticed that Gobo had an odd and puzzling habit.

He slept at night,

When all the others were awake and moving about.

But by day,

When all the others sought out a place to hide and sleep,

He would cheerfully walk off somewhere.

And when he felt like it,

He would go,

Without hesitation,

Out of the thick woods and stand in full daylight in the middle of the meadow with no worry at all.

Bambi was no longer able to keep quiet about this.

Do you not think of the danger?

He asked.

No,

Came Gobo's simple answer.

There's no danger for me.

Bambi,

Love,

Gobo's mother put in,

You're forgetting that he is a friend of his.

Gobo can't afford to allow himself more than you or I can.

And she was so very proud of this.

Bambi said no more.

One day,

Gobo commented to him.

Do you know,

Sometimes it strikes me as odd that I can eat here like this whenever I want and do whatever I want to.

Bambi did not understand.

What's so odd about that?

That's what we all do.

Gobo thought about this and said,

Yes,

Well,

That's you.

But with me,

It's a bit different.

I've got used to having my food brought to me and that they'll call me when it's ready.

Bambi looked at Gobo with pity,

Looked at Auntie Ina,

At Feline and Marina,

But they just smiled and admired Gobo.

I think Feline began,

I think you'll find it hard to get used to the winter,

Gobo.

For us,

Outside in the winter,

There is no hay at all,

No turnips,

No potatoes.

That's true,

Answered Gobo thoughtfully.

But if it gets too hard for me,

I'll just go back to him.

Why should I go hungry?

I really don't need to.

Without a word,

Bambi turned around and walked away.

Gobo now was alone with Marina and he began to talk about Bambi.

He doesn't understand me,

He said.

Bambi is good,

But he thinks I'm still just stupid little Gobo like I used to be.

He still can't understand that I've been changed into something special.

The danger,

Why is he always on about danger?

I'm sure he means the best for me.

But danger is something for him and for those like him,

Not for me.

Marina agreed with him.

She loved him and Gobo loved her and the two of them were very happy.

You see,

He said to her,

No one understands me as well as you do.

Anyway,

I can't complain.

Everyone respects and honors me,

But it's you who understands me best.

The others,

I've told them so many times how good he is,

But they won't listen to me.

I'm sure they don't think I'm lying,

But they keep on thinking he must be terrible.

I always believed in him,

Said Marina with enthusiasm.

Really?

Gobo replied glibly.

Don't you remember,

Marina went on,

That day when you stayed lying in the snow?

I said that one day he would come to us here in the woods and play with us.

No,

Retorted Gobo,

Speaking very slowly.

I can't remember that at all.

A couple of weeks went by and one morning,

Just as the sun was rising,

Bambi and Feline,

Gobo and Marina,

Were all together in the old thicket of the hazel bushes that they saw as home.

Bambi and Feline had just come back from their wanderings.

They had gone past the oak and wanted to seek out their place to rest when they came across Gobo and Marina.

Gobo was just about to go on to the meadow.

Stay here with us,

Said Bambi.

It'll soon be broad daylight.

No one goes out into the open at that time.

Ridiculous,

Gobo mocked.

If no one goes,

I go.

He strode away.

Marina followed him.

Bambi and Feline stayed where they were.

Come on,

Said Bambi angrily to Feline.

Come on,

He can just do what he wants.

They wanted to go on.

Then outside,

From the other side of the meadow,

Came the screech of the jay,

Loud and foreboding.

Bambi turned suddenly round and ran after Gobo.

He caught up with him and Marina just before they reached the oak tree.

Do you hear that?

He called out to him.

Hear what?

Asked Gobo and Puzzle Mitt.

The jay at the other side of the meadow screeched again.

Can you really not hear it?

Bambi repeated.

No,

Said Gobo calmly.

That means danger,

Bambi insisted.

Now a magpie appeared,

Chattering as he went,

And immediately after there was another one,

And then just as promptly a third.

At the same time,

The jay screeched again,

And the crows gave signals from high in the air.

Feline began to implore them too.

Don't go out there,

Gobo.

It's dangerous.

Even Marina now began to urge him.

Stay here.

For my sake,

Stay here today.

It's dangerous.

Gobo stood there and grinned in embarrassment.

Danger?

Danger?

Why should I be bothered about that?

The danger of the moment gave Bambi an idea.

At least let Marina go out first.

Then we'll know.

He had not finished speaking before Marina had already slipped out there.

All three stood there and looked at her.

Bambi and Feline held their breath.

Gobo was openly patient,

As if he wanted to let the others have their foolish way.

They watched as Marina walked,

Step by step,

Onto the meadow.

Slowly,

Her head raised high,

Her legs hesitant.

She looked round and smelt the air on every side.

She suddenly turned round,

As quick as lightning.

A high leap,

And as if blown in by a storm,

She was back in the thicket.

He's there,

She whispered in a voice that was choking in horror.

Her whole body was shaking.

I saw him.

He is there,

She stammered.

Up there.

He's standing there by the alder tree.

Let's get away from here,

Bambi called.

Now,

Let's get away.

Come on,

Feline implored them,

And Marina,

Who by now was barely able to speak,

Whispered.

Please,

Gobo,

I beg of you,

Come away with us.

I beg of you.

But Gobo remained calm.

Run away,

Then.

Run away as far as you can,

He said.

I'm not stopping you,

Am I?

If he's there,

I'm going to go say hello.

There was nothing that could have held Gobo back.

They stayed where they were and watched him as he went out on the meadow.

They stayed behind because his immense confidence had a kind of power over them and at the same time held their terror for him in its place.

They were unable to move from that spot.

Gobo stood out in the open in the meadow and looked round to find the alder.

Now he seemed to have found it.

Now he seemed to have glimpsed him.

Then the thunder crack sounded.

The sound threw Gobo into the air.

He suddenly turned round and,

Leaping as fast as he could,

Flew back into the thicket.

When he arrived,

They were still standing there,

Unable to move because of their horror.

They heard the whistling of his breath.

He did not stop but hurled himself forward in unthinking leaps.

They turned to him,

Surrounded him,

And gave themselves up to full flight.

But very soon Gobo collapsed.

Marina immediately stood still,

Close beside him.

Bambi and Feline were a little further away,

Ready to flee at any time.

Gobo's flank had been torn open and he lay there.

He made a dull movement of turning and raised his head.

Marina,

He said with some effort.

Marina.

He didn't recognize me.

His voice broke off.

From the bushes between them and the meadow there came an uproarious noise,

Showing no thought of any need to be careful.

Marina lowered her head down to Gobo.

He's coming,

She whispered urgently.

Gobo,

He's coming.

Can't you stand up and come with me?

Gobo once again weakly turned his head and raised it.

His legs twitched violently,

But he continued to lie where he was.

With a clattering and a cracking and a loud rustling,

The bushes divided and he entered.

Marina could see him from a short distance.

She slowly crept back,

Disappeared behind the undergrowth and hurried to join Bambi and Feline.

She turned around once more and there she saw him as he bent down over the fallen Gobo and took hold of him.

Then she heard Gobo's pitiful scream.

And that is the end of our story this evening.

Until next time.

Reviews

Dear Hilary, thank you for your wonderful offerings. I fell fast asleep as I often do, during your readings, so I will listen again. Sending good wishes with gratitude. 🌻