“I was seeking for the Blue Bird that I have followed a long, long way, and he flew into a hole in the tree, and I lost him. After I had awakened from a sleep--for I was very tired and so fell fast asleep--I tried to find the Bird again, and in my searching I found the little door.” “Oh!” said the stranger, “you followed the Blue Bird here, did you? Then you are welcome; you may stay here as long as you wish.” “That is very nice,” said David. “But do you mind telling me where I am?” “No,” said the stranger, smiling. “You are on the edge of the Forest.” “What Forest?” asked David. “The Forest beyond the Woodlands,” answered the stranger. “Oh!” said David. “Thank you. I have heard of that Forest before. There is a beautiful Garden in it, is there not? I think I should like to find the Garden: can you tell me how to get to it?” [Illustration: “FOLLOW YOUR NOSE TILL YOU GET THERE.” DAVID LOOKED UP AT HIM IN SURPRISE] “There is but one way,” said the stranger. “Follow your nose till you get there.” David looked up at him in surprise, for he could not quite tell whether the stranger were making fun of him or not. “I mean it!” said the young man earnestly. “The fragrance from the Garden is so wonderfully sweet that it fills all the air round about. If you take a deep breath now, you will notice what I mean.” He sniffed at the air as he spoke. David did the same; and as he did so he noticed a quality of sweetness that he had never imagined could be in any atmosphere save where hosts of flowers were shedding their gentle fragrance. “I do see what you mean,” said David. “Good!” cried the stranger. “I thought you would understand me. It truly is the only way to find the Garden: just to follow your nose till you get there. It sounds queer, doesn’t it? But there is lots of sense in that advice, and it is good to follow. I am sure you will get there. Good luck to you. I must go on my way now.” CHAPTER IV AT THE COBBLER’S COTTAGE “I don’t like it here!” wailed the voice of the coward within him. “There are too many things that I don’t understand. I’d like to run away from it all.” “My Grandmother used to tell me never to run away from what I can’t understand,” said David. “Try to understand it--face it, anyway--and if you can’t overcome it, go round it. But always keep your face toward it, because if you run from it, it may run after you, and then there is no telling what may happen. I’m going to face everything in this land! I feel so strong and so happy that you can’t make me afraid--no, not even you, you Doubting Voice--for I’m off to find the Garden, and I want you just to keep still.” He had walked only a little way when he came to a small cottage. An elderly man was seated on the step, mending a pair of shoes. He called to David as the boy approached. “What is your name?” asked the man. “David,” the boy answered.