“Some of them are wandering about in the Forest, lost; some have returned to their own homes and forgotten the Tree, the Garden, and the Blue Bird. Others have fallen into a deep sleep and are merely existing, not really _living_ at all. These last will only waken when Sister Experience comes upon them and gives them a good shaking to wake them up; she is always looking for those who are asleep and need to be wakened. Why do you wish to find the Tree?” she added questioningly. “Because I know that it must be very beautiful and its fruit very delicious,” said David. “I want to find the way so that I can guide Ruth there; I want her to see it and to have some of its fruit. For I want her to have the very best that there is.” “Well,” said the old Woman, “you are on the right path, and as long as you remember Ruth and seek for her sake, you need not fear forgetfulness. But you must remember to follow the Blue Bird on past the Red Castle where the Bronze King dwells and the brown Lions guard the way. Then you must go on over the Burning Mountain, for it is on the other side of it that the Garden lies. If you can capture the Pale-Coloured Wingèd Horse, he will help you--but it is almost impossible to capture _him_.” David’s eyes shone with a new light as the old Woman spoke. “I will go!” he cried earnestly. “The next time I hear the Blue Bird sing, I will find and follow him!” The next night the moon shone brightly. David had just crawled into bed. He was tired, and the clean white sheets looked and felt very good to him. But just as he was about to close his eyes he heard the Blue Bird’s song. He sprang up, dressed hurriedly, strapped on his hunting-knife, and swung his axe over his shoulder. Before he left the room, though, he wrote a few words on a bit of paper. This he pinned on his pillow. In the morning the old Woman found this message: “The Blue Bird has called me; I am off to follow its trail. I can never forget your kindness or your home. Thank you always. “David.” [Illustration: THE NEXT NIGHT THE MOON SHONE BRIGHTLY. DAVID HAD JUST CRAWLED INTO BED] CHAPTER VI THE PALACE OF THE BRONZE KING And what, during all this time, was happening to Ruth? We have left her a long time, and our thoughts naturally wander back to her, for we can no more forget her than David can.