Page:Collodi - The Story of a Puppet, translation Murray, 1892.djvu/84

 'Do you see that puppet dangling from a branch of the Big Oak?'

'I see him.'

'Very well. Fly there at once: with your strong beak break the knot that keeps him suspended in the air, and lay him gently on the grass at the foot of the tree.'

The Falcon flew away, and after two minutes he returned, saying:

'I have done as you commanded.'

'And how did you find him?'

'To see him he appeared dead, but he cannot really be quite dead, for I had no sooner loosened the running noose that tightened his throat than, giving a sigh, he muttered in a faint voice: "Now I feel better! . . ."'

The Fairy then striking her hands together made two little claps, and a magnificent Poodle appeared, walking upright on his hind-legs exactly as if he had been a man.

He was in the full-dress livery of a coachman. On his head he had a three-cornered cap braided with gold, his curly white wig came down on to his shoulders, he had a chocolate-coloured waistcoat with diamond buttons, and two large pockets to contain the bones that his mistress gave him at dinner. He had besides a pair of short crimson velvet breeches, silk stockings, cutdown shoes, and hanging behind him a