akened, and saw by
the light of the moon the Princess Florina sitting at the window with
a beautiful Blue Bird, who warbled in her ear and touched her gently
with his beak. The spy listened and heard all their conversation, very
much astonished that a princess could be so fond of a mere bird. When
day came she related all to the queen and Troutina, who concluded that
the bird could be no other than King Charming. They sent the girl
back, told her to express no curiosity, but to feign sleep, and to go
to bed earlier than usual. Then the poor deceived princess opened her
little window, and sang her usual song--

"Blue Bird, Blue Bird,
Come to my side."

But no Blue Bird appeared. The queen had caused sharp knives to be
hung outside the hollow of the tree: he flew against them and cut his
feet and wings, till he dropped down, covered with blood.

"Oh, Florina, come to my help!" sighed he, "But she is dead, I know,
and I will die also."

At that moment, his friend, the magician, who since he had seen the
chariot with flying frogs return without King Charming, had gone eight
times round the world in search of him, made his ninth journey, and
came to the tree where the poor Blue Bird lay, calling out, "King
Charming, King Charming!"

The king recognised the voice of his best friend: whereupon the
magician took him out of the hollow tree, healed his wounds, and heard
all his history. He persuaded King Charming that, overcome with fear
and cruel treatment, Florina must have betrayed him.

"Then do as you will with me!" cried the king. "Put me into a cage and
take me back with you. I shall at least be safe there for the five
years that are to be endured."

"But," said the enchanter, "can you remain five years in so
undignified a position? And you have enemies who will assuredly seize
on your kingdom."

"Why can I not return and govern it as before?"

"I fear," replied his friend, "that the thing is difficult. Who would
obey a Blue Bird?"

"Ah, that is too true!" cried the king, sadly, "People only judge by
the outside."

Meantime Florina, overcome with grief, fell dangerously sick, and in
her sickness she kept singing, day and night, her little song--

"Blue Bird, Blue Bird,
Come to my side."

But no one regarded her.

At last a sudden change took place in her fortunes. The king her
father died, and the people, who knew she was his heir, began to
inquire, with one accord, where was the Prince