Page:Colas breugnon.djvu/31

Rh "What did he do up there?"

"He went to look for fire."

"What fire?"

"Fire to make sunshine, fire to boil the kettle."

"Did the fire fly away then?"

"Why yes, on All Saints' Day. In November every year it leaves us to go and warm up the stars."

"And how do we get him back again?"

"We send three little birds to fetch him."

"Oh, do tell me!"

There she is trotting along the road, all warmly snuggled in a jacket of soft white wool, looking like a little robin in her red hood. She doesn't mind the cold, not she! but her fat cheeks are like rosy apples, and her little nose runs.

"Ah, this little candle needs the snuffers, is that because of Candlemas? and the lights in Heaven?"

"Oh, Grandfather, do tell about the three little birds."

"Three little birds set off on a journey, three bold companions; the Wren, the Red-Breast, and their friend the Lark; Wren, brisk as quicksilver and proud as Artaban, soon spied a bright spark floating in the air. He snapped at it, crying, 'I have it! I, I, I!' The others joined in the same cry, but