Bambi Part 10: Bedtime Story

Dear ones,

Our adventures continue tonight with part ten of my reading of Bambi.

This is a reading of the original story of Bambi, written by Felix Salten in 1923. This is the story that was eventually adapted for the movie of the same name.

This is part ten of a thirteen-part series. You can find all the recordings of Bambi on my profile, in the playlist titled 'Bambi'.

Enjoy dear ones.

Transcript

Hello,

Dears,

And welcome to today's reading of Bambi,

Part 10.

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 jays and 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 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 Mrs.

Netler 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 did give you enough to worry about,

Marina answered.

Oh,

That's all in the past,

Gobo's mother declared,

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

Oh,

I feel so sorry about poor Mrs.

Netler.

It's such a shame that she's no longer alive,

And can't see what my Gobo has made of himself.

Yes,

Poor Mrs.

Netler,

Said Marina,

Gently.

It is a pity about her.

Gobo enjoyed hearing his mother praise him like this.

It pleased him.

He stood there and felt as good as if 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 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.

Oh,

Don't you worry about that,

His mother reassured 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 round 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 Nineteen Bambi looked for the Elder.

He would walk around all through the nights,

Wandered about at the time the sun rose 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 a thicket.

But now,

These were things that did not satisfy him as much as they had done.

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 an inexplicable 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 had been remarkably struck by it.

From the first day that he had 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 Owl,

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 Owl 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,

Bambi said.

I don't believe you.

You are so clever.

You know about everything that goes on in the forest.

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

The Owl 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 are so wise,

He said,

Candidly.

And despite that,

You are 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 Owl 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 Owl spoke,

And his heart began to beat with joy.

Yes,

I'm sure of it,

Answered the Owl.

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,

I've never been on the other side.

Now listen carefully,

The Owl 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 there on the ground.

Certainly not as easy as it is.

Up from in the air.

That's where the Elder lives.

Under the trunk of that tree.

But don't say I told you.

Under the trunk?

Yes,

The Owl 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.

And he hurried away.

Making no sound,

The Owl 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 Owl 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 hope to find me?

The Elder said.

Bambi said nothing.

What do you want from me?

The Elder asked.

Erm,

Nothing,

Stuttered Bambi.

Oh,

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 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,

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 to 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,

There is no danger for me,

Came Gobo's simple answer.

Bambi,

Love,

Gobo's mother put in,

You are forgetting that he is a friend of his.

Gobo can afford to allow himself more than you can or anyone else.

And she was 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 to,

And wherever 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 all 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 round 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,

Just 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,

No one understands me as well as you do.

Anyway,

I can't complain.

Everyone respects and honours 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 think I'm lying,

And they keep on thinking that he must be terrible.

I always believed in him,

Said Marina.

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.

I can't remember that at all,

Gobo said.

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 hazel bushes that they saw as home.

Bambi and Feline had just come back home 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 out onto the meadow.

Stay here with us,

Said Bambi.

It'll soon be broad daylight.

No one goes out into the open at this time.

Ridiculous,

Gobo mocked.

If no one goes,

I go,

And 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 had reached the oak tree.

Do you hear that?

He called to him.

Hear what?

Asked Gobo in puzzlement.

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 mad pie 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 once 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,

Gobo.

For my sake,

Stay here today.

It's dangerous.

Gobo stood there and grinned.

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,

He's there,

She whispered in a voice that was choking in horror.

Her whole body was shaking.

I saw him.

He's out there.

Up there.

He's out there,

By the alder tree.

Let's get away from here,

Bambi called.

Now,

Let's get away.

Marina,

Who was now barely able to speak,

Whispered,

Please,

Gobo,

I beg of you.

Come away with us.

I beg you.

But Gobo remained calm.

Run away,

Then.

Run away as far as you can.

I'm not stopping you,

Am I?

If he's there,

I'll go over and say hello.

There was nothing that could have held Gobo back.

They stayed where they were,

And watched him as he went out onto 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 the spot.

Gobo stood out in the open on the meadow,

And looked around to find the alder tree.

Now,

He seemed to have found it,

And 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 all still standing there.

Unable to move because of their horror.

They heard the whistling of his breath.

He did not stop,

But held 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 laid there with his bloody innards protruding.

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

Marina,

He said with some effort.

Marina,

He didn't recognise me,

And his voice broke off.

From the bushes between them and the meadow,

There came a great noise,

Showing no thought of any need to be careful.

Marina lowered her head down to Gobo.

He's coming,

Gobo,

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 of death.