Bambi Part 7: Bedtime Story

Dear ones,

Our adventures continue tonight with part seven 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 seven 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, Dear ones, And welcome to today's reading, Bambi, Part 7, Chapter 12. The meadow had long since lost its catkins. Everything had begun to turn green, Although the young leaves on the bushes and the trees were still small. Shimmering in the tender light of the early morning, They showed a smiling freshness and seemed like little children when they had just woken up. Bambi stood in front of a hazel bush, Striking his new crown against the wood. That was so enjoyable. And it was also necessary, As the glory of his head was still wrapped in velvet and fur. They had to come off, That was a matter of course, And no one with any sense of tidiness would just wait for them to fall off by themselves. Bambi swept his crown so that the coating of velvet was torn into shreds and long strips of it dangled around his ears. While he struck it up and down at the hazel bush, He felt that his crown was harder than it had been. This feeling permeated his whole being and gave him a huge sense of pride and strength. He pushed himself harder against the bush, And this coating was torn off in long pieces. The naked white wood could be seen, And in the unfamiliar open air, It quickly turned a rusty red. Bambi was not able to care about that. He saw the pale flesh of the wood flash up under his movements, And even that enchanted him. Here, In this round place, There were many other hazel bushes and dogwood bushes that showed the marks of his efforts. The previous summer had been a difficult time for Bambi. First of all, After his mother had disappeared, He had felt totally abandoned. The winter had been so long, The spring came hesitantly, And it was a long time before anything green appeared. Without Mrs. Nettler, Bambi would not have been able to manage, But she had taken him in and helped him in every way she could. Nonetheless, He often found himself alone. He missed Gobo all the time. Poor Gobo, Who must now be dead like the others. Gobo was continually on his mind at this time, And it was only too late that he realized how lovable he had been. He rarely saw Feline. She always stayed close to her mother, And turned out to be remarkably shy. Later, When at last it had become warm, Bambi began to recover his mood. He wiped his first crown clean of its velvet, And was very proud of it. But a bitter disappointment was soon to follow. The other crown-wearers chased him away whenever they saw him. They pushed him away angrily. They would not tolerate him going close to anyone. They mishandled him, Until, With every step he took, He was afraid of being found by them, Afraid of being seen anywhere. And he crept along the most hidden paths with a feeling of being oppressed. At the same time, While the days became warmer and sunnier, He became gripped by a strange unease. His heart became ever more oppressed, With a yearning that was both painful and welcome. Whenever he happened to see Feline, Or one of her friends in the distance, He was overcome by a storm of excitement that he could not quite understand. It even happened quite often that he would recognize just a trace of where she had been, Or that he would draw in breath to test the air and smell that she was nearby. He felt irresistibly drawn to her, Ever and ever more often. But if he gave in to this longing that drew him to her, It always turned out badly. Either he would find no one, And in the end, Tired out after wandering about for so long, Have to acknowledge that the others were avoiding him, Or he came across one of the crowned heads, Who would immediately leap out at him, Hit him, Push him, And drive him away, Shouting insults. Worst of all, Rono and Carus had taken against him too. No, That was not a happy time. Bambi, Now remembering, Suddenly became quite wild and began to run. The tits and the wrens flew out of the bushes in alarm as he went past them, And asked each other urgently, Who's that then? Who was that? Bambi did not hear them. A pair of magpies laughed nervously. Has something happened? The jay was cross and shouted, What's going on? Bambi paid him no attention. All around him the thicket was already light, And the rays of the sun ran through it in fine beams. Bambi did not bother about that. There was a sudden loud rattling sound from near his feet. A whole rainbow of gorgeous colours flashed up and shone into his eyes, So that he was dazzled and stopped. It was Janello, The pheasant, Who had shot into the air in startlement because Bambi had nearly stepped on him. He rushed away, Scolding Bambi as he went. Unheard of, Unheard of, He shouted in his cracked, Crow-like voice. Bambi was bewildered and watched him go. Well, It's turned out alright, But you really were being very careless, Said a soft, Twittering voice from nearby on the ground. It was Janeline, The pheasant's wife. She sat brooding on the ground. My husband was terribly alarmed, She continued. And so was I. But I can't move from this spot. I can't move from this spot. Whatever happens, You could easily have trodden on me. Bambi was slightly ashamed. Oh, I'm sorry, He stuttered. I wasn't paying attention. Janeline answered. Maybe it wasn't quite that bad. But my husband and I, We're so nervous at present, You understand. But Bambi understood nothing at all and went on his way. He had become calmer now. All around him the wood was singing. The light became warmer and more golden. The leaves on the bushes, The grass on the ground, And steam rising from the damp earth took on a sharp aroma. Bambi's youthful strength swelled up in him and stretched out into all his limbs. So that he became quite stiff. His movements became hesitant, As if he were something artificial. He went over to a small elder bush and, Lifting his knees high into the air, He struck against the ground with powerful blows so that clods of earth flew up from it. His fine, Sharp, Cloven hoof cut the grass away that was growing here. Wild peas and wild leeks, Violets and snowdrops. He scraped them all away until the earth lay bare before him. With each blow, A dull thump could be heard. Bambi caught the attention of two moles who had been tumbling around at the roots of an old privet bush. They looked up and watched him. But that's just ridiculous. What is he doing? Whispered one of them. That's not how you dig. The other raised the fine corners of his mouth into a jeering grin. He's got no idea, That's obvious. But that's what you get when people do things that they don't understand. Bambi stopped suddenly, Lifted his head up high, Listened and looked around at the undergrowth. There was a flash of red between the twigs. It was unclear, But he could make out the points of a crown. Bambi snorted. Whoever it was creeping about there, Ronno or Carus or anyone else. I'll go at him. I'll show him I'm not afraid of them anymore. It was as if he had suddenly been taken over by his own exhilaration. I'll show them that I'm the one they should be afraid of. He ran into the bushes with such force that they rattled and the branches cracked and broke. Now Bambi could see other deer in front of him. He was not able to recognise who it was, Because everything was swimming in front of his eyes. He could think of nothing but that he should go at him. With his crown lowered, He stormed forward, Gathering all his strength into his neck, Ready to strike. He could already smell his opponent's hairy coat, Could already see nothing in front of him but the red worn off his flank. Then the other made a very gentle movement. Bambi had expected him to stay still, But he was robbed of this advantage. When he rushed at him, His antlers met nothing but thin air. Bambi nearly fell over, But he staggered, Pulled himself together, And swung back around to renew his attack. Then he saw who the elder was. Bambi was so surprised he lost control of himself. He would have been ashamed to simply run from the spot, Although that was what he most wanted to do. And he was ashamed to stay. He did not move. Who's this then? The elder asked quietly. His deep voice, So relaxed, But drove itself, As it always did, Straight through the centre of Bambi's heart. He remained silent. The elder asked again. What's all this? I thought, Stammered Bambi. I thought it was Rono or… He became silent and dared to look shyly at the elder. And as he looked, He became even more bewildered. The aged one stood there, Motionless and powerful. His head had, By now, Turned perfectly white, And his dark, Proud eyes shone from their depths. Well, Why not against me? The aged one asked. Bambi looked at him, Filled with a remarkable enthusiasm and shuddering with a mysterious thrill. He wanted to call out, Because I love you, But instead, He answered, I don't know. The aged one looked at him. I haven't seen you for a long time. You've grown big and strong. Bambi gave no answer, But he trembled with joy. The elder continued. He wanted to test him and make his assessment of him. Then, Surprisingly, He stepped very close to Bambi, Causing Bambi much alarm. Whatever you do, Do it with nobility, The aged one said. He turned away, And in the next moments, He was gone. Bambi remained on the same spot for a long time afterwards. Chapter Thirteen It was summertime and burning hot. The yearning began to rise again in Bambi, The yearning that he had felt earlier. But this time, It was much stronger than before. It boiled his blood, And it made him restless. So, He wandered far and wide. And one day, He came across Feline. He had not expected to find her at all, For his thoughts were at that time very confused from all the restless yearning that had possessed him, And he had not realized she was there. Now, She was standing in front of him. For a while, He was speechless and merely stared at her. Then, Awestruck, He said, Feline, You have become so beautiful. Feline retorted, Oh, Can you still recognize me then? Of course I can still recognize you, Bambi exclaimed. We grew up together, Didn't we? Feline signed, It's been so long since we saw each other. And then she added, People can become complete strangers to each other, Bambi. But she said it in a teasing way, Simple and elegant, Just like she had used to do. They remained together where they were. This path here, Said Bambi, After a pause, This is the path I used to go along with my mother when I was a child. It leads to the meadow, Said Feline. It was on the meadow that I first saw you, Said Bambi. Do you remember? Yes, Feline answered. Me and Gobo, She sighed. Poor Gobo. And Bambi repeated her, Poor Gobo. Then they began to talk about those days and frequently asked each other, Do you remember? And it turned out, To their delight, That they both remembered everything. Out there on the meadow, Bambi recalled, We played tag, Do you remember? I think we did, Said Feline, And then she jumped away in a flash. At first, Bambi stood there, Wondering what had happened. But then he rushed after her. Wait, Wait for me, He shouted gaily. No, I'm not going to wait. I'm in a tremendous hurry. And in short leaps, She curved her way far across the bushes and grass. Finally, Bambi caught up with her, Blocked her way, And then they stood quietly together. They laughed and were very contented. Feline suddenly jumped into the air, As if something had stung her, And leapt away again. Bambi rushed after her. Feline made a curve and then another, Threw herself from side to side and got away from Bambi time after time. Stay where you are, He gasped. Just stay where you are. I've got to ask you something. Feline stood still. She was curious and asked, What do you need to ask me, Bambi? Bambi said nothing. Oh, Well, If you're just cheating, Said Feline, And was about to run off again. No, Bambi said, Stay there. I, I want to ask you something. Do you love me, Feline? She looked at him with even more curiosity than before, And felt slightly wary. I don't know, Bambi. Yes, You do, Bambi insisted. You must know. And I know it too. I can feel it perfectly well that I love you. I've got a furious love for you, Feline. So now tell me, Do you love me? Well, Maybe it could be that I'm fond of you, She answered casually. And so will you stay with me, Inquired Bambi, Becoming more excited. If you ask me nicely, Said Feline. Bambi almost lost control of himself. I am asking you, Feline, My love, My beautiful Feline. Do you hear me? I am asking you with all of my heart. Then I certainly will stay with you, Said Feline. And then she was gone. Enchanted, Bambi shot off again in pursuit of her. Feline swept across the meadow, Turned sharply, And disappeared into a thicket. But when Bambi also turned suddenly, In order to follow her there, There was a stormy rustling in the bushes and out sprang Carus. Stop, He called. Bambi did not understand. He was too occupied with Feline. Let me past, He said hurriedly. I haven't got time for you. Go away from here, Carus ordered him. Go away now, Bambi. If not, I will hunt you down until there's not an ounce of breath left in you. I forbid you to chase after Feline. Slowly, Bambi began to remember the previous summer when he was so often humiliated by being chased away. He suddenly became very angry. He said not a word, But immediately lowered his crown and threw himself at Carus. He hit him with such a force that no one could have resisted it, And Carus was lying in the grass before he knew what had happened to him. He got up again as fast as lightning, But he was barely back on his feet when he was struck by another blow that left him reeling. Bambi, He said, And was about to shout a second time when a third blow slid down from his shoulder and caused so much pain it took his breath away. Carus jumped to one side to avoid receiving yet another blow from Bambi. He suddenly felt remarkably weak and realized, To his disgust, That this was now a matter of life and death. A cold fear took hold of him. He turned to flee from Bambi, Who was rushing close behind. And realized from Bambi's silence that in every sense, His anger and his ruthlessness, He was determined to kill him. Carus fell into a panic. He turned away from the path, Used the last of his strength to break through into the bushes. There was nothing he could wish for, Nothing he could think of, Other than to yearn for mercy or rescue. Bambi suddenly stopped and left him alone. Carus was so terrified that he did not notice this and ran on through the bushes as well as he could. But Bambi had stopped because he had heard the fine call of Faline. He listened and there she called again. Now in fear, Oppressed, Bambi immediately turned round and hurried back. Once he was back on the meadow, He saw her just as she was fleeing into the thicket pursued by Rono. Rono, Rono, Bambi called. He was not aware that he had called out. Rono was not able to run very fast because his limp held him back. And so he stopped. Well, Look who it is, He said in a gentle tone. It's little Bambi. Can I help you in any way, Bambi? I want, Said Bambi, Calmly but in a voice that was distorted by the anger he was suppressing and the power that he held back. I want you to leave Faline alone and I want you to go away immediately. Oh, Is that all, Said Rono with contempt. What a cheeky young lad you've turned into. I never would have expected that of you. Rono, Said Bambi, Even more gently. It's for your sake that I want it. Because if you don't go away now, You will wish that you could run away on those legs of yours. But you won't be able to run away. What? Rono called out crossly. Because I've got a limp, Is it? Is that why you talk to me like that? You can hardly notice my limp anyway. Or perhaps, After seeing what a pitiful coward Carus was, You think I'm frightened of you. Well, Let me tell you this. No, Rono. Bambi interrupted him. Let me tell you something. Go away. His voice quivered as he spoke. I've always liked you, Rono. I've always thought you're very clever and I felt respect for you because you are much older than me. But now I am telling you for the last time, Go away. I haven't got any more patience left. Pity you've got so little patience left, Said Rono with contempt. A great pity for you, Lad. But now, Just calm down. I'll soon be finished with you. Bambi was no longer able to control himself. He rushed at Rono like a madman and Rono received him with his head lowered. They crashed together. Rono stood his ground and wondered why Bambi did not back away. He was also astonished at this sudden attack. He had not expected Bambi to attack at all. He felt uncomfortable at Bambi's enormous strength and realised he would need to pull himself together. They stood there, Pressed brow to brow, And Rono decided he would use a trick. He backed away suddenly so that Bambi lost his balance and tumbled over. But Bambi raised himself on his hind legs and threw himself at Rono with twice as much fury before Rono had even found the time to stand firm. There was a sharp crack as one of the branches of Rono's crown broke. He thought his entire forehead had been smashed. He saw stars in front of his eyes and heard a swishing in his ears. In the next moment, A powerful blow tore open his shoulder. He had no breath and lay on the floor, With Bambi stood angrily over him. Leave me alone, Bambi, Rono groaned. But Bambi continued to strike him anywhere he could. There was a gleam in his eyes and he seemed to have no thought of showing any mercy. Please, Just stop, Rono begged him. You do know I walk with a limp. I was only making a joke. Spare me. Don't you understand a joke, Bambi? Bambi, Without a word, Stopped his attack. With great effort, Rono stood up. He was bleeding, And he staggered away. Bambi was about to go into the thicket to find Faline, But then she came out of it. She had been standing close to the edge of the trees and had seen everything. That was wonderful, Bambi, She said, And then became serious and gently added, I love you. The two of them went on their way together and were very, Very happy.