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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Chapter ten of David in the Phoenix. This is a
LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain.
For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org.
Recording by Greg Weeks. David in the Phoenix by Edward
ormand Dryde Chapter ten, in which a five hundredth birthday
(00:22):
is celebrated and the phoenix bows to tradition. That's funny,
said David, rubbing his eyes and looking around in a
puzzled way. Where are we phoenix? Home? Is the sailor
home from the hill, the phoenix said, and the hunter
home from the sea? Or is it the other way around?
At any rate, we are home, my boy, And so
(00:42):
they were. Weren't we playing with a fawn? Just now?
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Quite so?
Speaker 1 (00:47):
But there was something else, David said.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Something.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
Didn't somebody say follow before it is too late or
something like that? Did we follow? I can't remember.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
No, my boy.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
By the time one hears that, it is already too late.
Oh too late for what, he wondered. Oh well, he
sighed and fell to day dreaming. A cough from the
phoenix brought him back. Beg your pardon. I have never
seen you so thoughtful, my boy. However, I believe I
know what you are thinking about. It is a difficult problem,
is it not. Yes, I was just thinking what you
(01:21):
could get me for a birthday present, interrupted the phoenix.
Am I not correct? David, who had not given this
a thought until now?
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Flushed?
Speaker 1 (01:30):
Aha, said the phoenix triumphantly, Just as I thought. Believe me,
my dear fellow, when you have been around as long
as I have, you can read the minds of your
friends as easily as a book. Now. The problem of
what to give is a hard one at any time,
but the problem of what to give for a five
hundredth birthday is even harder. A monogrammed ashtray. I do
(01:53):
not receive cigars often enough to make that practical. A
hand knitted sweater it would not fit, ever, do a
gold plated watch chain.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
I have no watch.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
No, the best idea would be to get me something
which I can use, certainly, phoenix, David stammered, what do
you want then, Ah, we have reached the kernel of
the problem, and the answer, my boy, is this cinnamon,
cinnamon precisely. Also a box of matches, the kind that
strike anywhere you know. Well, all right, it doesn't sound
(02:27):
like much of a present. But if that's what you
really want, what are you going to do with them?
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Phoenix?
Speaker 1 (02:32):
I mean, if you don't mind my asking. The plain
fact is, my boy, said the phoenix, doubtfully. The plain
fact is, well, I do not know odd, but something
tells me I shall need them. Well, it will come
to me in the morning, no doubt, and then, of
course I shall be very glad to have them on hand,
all right, Cinnamon and matches then, and I'll get some.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
No, I won't tell you that.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
It'll be a surprise, A surprise splendid, my boy. You
could not, I suppose, drop me a small hint. No,
but of course not one hint, and my powerful intellect
could guess everything, and then the surprise would be spoiled
well until tomorrow. Then that evening, David shut himself in
his room and robbed his bank. It was a squat
(03:19):
cast iron box with a penny saved as a penny
earned in raised letters on one side. The only way
to open it was to smash it with a crowbar,
but it could be emptied. It had to be tilted
just so with a knife blade in the slot to
catch the coins and guide them out. This is what
David did with a bread knife borrowed from the kitchen.
(03:41):
It was a slow, uncertain job and one coin. He
guessed it was a dime by the way it rattled.
Never did come out, but the rest, which included his
change from Uncle Charles present, would be enough. Early next
morning he went to the store and bought three large
boxes of stick cinnamon, two cans of powder cinnamon, and
a huge box of matches. For the surprise, he got
(04:04):
a whole court of strawberry ice cream with a piece
of dry ice to keep it from melting. He wanted
to buy a cake too, and candles, but there was
not enough money left. Then he remembered that a new
batch of cookies had been baked at home yesterday, which
would have to do instead. He wrapped the cinnamon and
matches up in a neat package with white paper, tied
(04:25):
it in a blue ribbon and wrote on it two Phoenix,
Happy five hundred birthday from David. Then he took all
the cookies from a jar, borrowed two plates and spoons,
put everything into a large paper bag and set out
for the Phoenix's ledge. He was surprised to find the
phoenix working busily in the middle of a wide place
(04:45):
on the ledge. Apparently the bird had been at it
all night, for a huge pile of sticks and brush
had been heaped up on the ground and shaped roughly
like a nest. Right now, the phoenix was struggling with
a small log, trying to get it on the pile.
Hello Phoenix, happy birthday. Ah there, my boy, thank you
very much. Could you kindly give me a hand with
(05:06):
his log? They heaved and grunted the piece of wood
to the top of the pile, and David said, what's
this for, phoenix? This, my boy, is a pyre, a
bit untidy around the edges, but none the less a pyre, Oh,
said David. What's that? Well, a pyre? You know, a
sort of fire as it were, Oh, fire, I thought
(05:27):
you said, Oh yes, fire. Isn't it awfully warm for
a fire? The weather is unusually tropical, said the phoenix,
cocking one eye towards the sun. This fire, however, is necessary,
but I shall explain later. Meanwhile, if you will just
aid me with this branch. And for the next fifteen
minutes they worked over the heap, adding to it and
(05:49):
shaping it up. David kept his thoughts to himself. He
could see that the phoenix knew what it was doing,
So everything must be all right. By the way, my boy,
said the phoenix casually, when they had finished, My prediction
was correct. I knew it would be. The inevitable has occurred.
What are you talking about, Phoenix, the scientist, My boy,
he is in our midst. Once more, David clutched a
(06:12):
branch in the heap and said, oh, Phoenix, in a
frightened voice. Now, my dear fellow, there is no cause
for alarm. He is not nearby at present. I sent
him back, Send him back. How nothing to it, my boy,
said the phoenix smugly. He was up at the crack
of dawn, toiling with typical stupidity in full sight on
the slope below. He was making a blind of green
(06:34):
branches to hide in while he spies on me. Really,
the childishness of his efforts to think for a minute
he could fool me with such tricks. Well, I waited
until he had gone down the slope to cut more greenery,
and when his back was turned, I slipped down to
the blind and took his binoculars. But Phoenix, what did
you want with his binoculars. I did not want his binoculars,
(06:57):
my boy, but he did. His language when he he
discovered the loss was simply frightful. I could hear it
all the way up here. Of course, he had to
return to town for another pair. But he'll be back precisely,
my boy. But he will have something to keep him
busy when he returns. I took the liberty of destroying
his blind. That will hold him, But it won't hold
(07:20):
him long.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
Phoenix, We've got to think of something else.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
Now, your whole birthday is spoiled. On the contrary, my boy,
it will hold him long enough. Now please do not
ask me why. You must take my word for it,
and I shall explain later. And my birthday is not spoiled.
I am looking forward with a great deal of pleasure
to the surprise which you promised me. Come, let us
enjoy it whatever it is, and forget the scientist. Well
(07:46):
are you sure about the scientist?
Speaker 2 (07:48):
Absolutely?
Speaker 1 (07:50):
The phoenix was so positive that David began to feel better.
He picked up the paper bag and said, well, it
isn't much of a surprise really, just a birthday party
and your present. But I think the present should come
after the party. Don't you quite so, my boy. But
I shall leave the management of the whole affair in
your capable hands, all right, said David. Now you'll have
(08:11):
to turn around, Phoenix and not look while I'm getting
it ready. Phoenix obediently turned around, clasping its wings behind
its back and tried hard not to peek. David set
the party things out on the grass, ice cream in
the middle, the cookies in a ring around it, plates
on either side, and spoons beside the plates. He set
the Phoenix's present off to one side where it could
(08:33):
be reached when they had finished. All right, Phoenix, you
can turn around now. The Phoenix took a long look
at everything and said, huskily, my dear Chap, this is
quite the nicest moment of my life. How can I
possibly thank you? They sat down in their places. David
passed the cookies and served the ice cream, and said
(08:53):
that as far as he was concerned, this was the
best birthday party he had ever been to, And the
Phoenix said.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
So, my boy.
Speaker 1 (09:01):
But might I make so bold as to ask why?
And David answered, well, the reason is that usually during
birthday parties you have to play stupid games like pin
the tail on the donkey and button button who has
the button? In spite of the fact that eating good
things is the real reason for having a party, as
everybody knows, And the Phoenix said, precisely, my boy, But
(09:23):
people have somehow lost the main idea of the thing.
When you come right down to it, ice cream is
the basis of any sensible party, and everything else is
a waste of time. And David said, yes, Phoenix, but
don't forget cake and cookies and candy and nuts and things.
They're not as good as ice cream, but they're not
a complete waste of time either, And the Phoenix said,
(09:46):
of course not, my dear fellow. They are important too.
And speaking of ice cream, have you noticed that while
chocolate is very good and vanilla enjoys great popularity, still
there is nothing like strawberry. And David said, yes, you're right,
rather sadly, because the phoenix was eating most of it.
At last, the ice cream carton was empty and all
(10:08):
the cookies were gone. They both sighed regretfully and brushed
away the crumbs, and the phoenix looked hopefully at the
present David had brought. Happy birthday, Phoenix, David said, and
he handed the gift over with a little bow. Thank you,
my boy, thank you. The phoenix opened the package eagerly
and gave a pleased cry. Just what I.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
Wanted, my dear chap. I'm glad you like it, David said,
Do you know yet.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
What it's for? Can you really use it for something?
The phoenix suddenly stopped smiling and looked at David with
a strange expression on its face, an expression David had
never seen there before. A vague dread swept through him,
and he faltered, Phoenix, you do know what it's for?
Speaker 2 (10:49):
What is it? Tell me?
Speaker 1 (10:51):
Well, my boy, Well, the fact is yes, I do know.
It came to me this morning while I was constructing
the ah nest here. I'm afraid it will be a
bit hard to explain. The cinnamon ah, the cinnamon, well,
cinnamon branches are what I should really have. But Phoenix,
what's it for? Behold, my boy? The phoenix opened the
(11:13):
boxes and spread the cinnamon sticks on the nest. Then
it took the cans and sprinkled the cinnamon powder over
the top and sides of the heap, until a whole
nest was brick dust red. There we are, my boy,
said the phoenix, sadly, the traditional cinnamon pyre of the phoenix,
celebrated in song and story. And with the third mention
(11:35):
of the word pyre, David's legs went weak and something
seemed to catch in his throat. He remembered now where
he had heard.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
That word before.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
It was in his Book of Explorers, and it meant
it meant phoenix, he choked, Who is the pyre for?
For myself?
Speaker 2 (11:52):
Said the phoenix. Phoenix.
Speaker 1 (11:55):
Now I implore you, please, Oh dear, I knew it
would be difficult to explain.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
Look at me, my boy.
Speaker 1 (12:02):
David did as he was told, although his eyes were
filled with tears and he could not see through the blur. Now,
said the phoenix gently. The fact is that I have,
besides my unusually acute intellect and instinct, This instinct told
me that it was my birthday to day. It also
told me to build this nest of cinnamon. Now it
(12:22):
tells me that I must make this nest my pyre,
because that is what the phoenix does at the end
of five hundred years. Now, please, my boy, I admit
it does not appear to be a very joyful way
of celebrating, but it must be done. This is the
traditional end of the phoenix, my boy, and we cannot
ignore the tradition, no matter what our feelings may be.
(12:43):
Do you see no, David cried, Please, phoenix, don't do it.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
It's horrible.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
I won't let you do it, but I must, my
dear Chap, I cannot help it. This is what it
means to be the phoenix. Nothing can stop the tradition. Please,
my boy, do not take on so it is not
in the least horrible, I assure you.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
My instinct tells me.
Speaker 1 (13:04):
So. You said you were going to give me an education,
David sobbed. You said we would see you said, and
we've only been on four adventures. You never told me
about this. I am terribly sorry, my boy. I could
not tell you about it because I did not know
about it until now. As for your education, it is
a pity to have it cut short in this way.
(13:26):
I had great plans. But consider you have had four adventures,
which no one else in the world has had. And besides,
my boy, we shall see each other again. I do
not know how or where, but I am positive of it.
The phoenix flicked a tear from its eye with the
tip of one wing while with the other. It patted
David awkwardly on the shoulder. Don't go, Phoenix, please don't go.
(13:50):
I must my boy here. Permit me to present you
with a small token out of our friendship. Dimly through
his tears, David saw the phoenix pluck the longest blue
test feather from its tail, and he felt it being
pressed into his hand.
Speaker 2 (14:06):
Good Bye, David, said the phoenix, gruffly.
Speaker 1 (14:09):
David could stand it no longer. He turned and rushed
blindly from the phoenix, blundered into the thicket and dropped
to the ground with his head buried in his arms.
Behind him, he heard the sticks snapping as the phoenix
mounted its pire. A match rasped against the box. The
first tongue of flames sizzled in the branches. David pressed
(14:30):
his hands over his ears to shut out the sound,
but he could feel the heat of the flames as
they sprang up, and the noise would not be shut out.
It grew and grew, popping, crackling, roaring, until it seemed
to fill the world. Perhaps he fainted, or perhaps from numbness,
he slipped into a kind of deep sleep. Whichever it was,
(14:51):
he returned to consciousness again Suddenly his hands had slipped
from his ears, and a sound had brought him back.
He lifted his head and listened. The fire had burnt
itself out. Now the only noise was the hiss and
pop of dying embers. But these sounds were too gentle
to have awakened him. It must have been something else. Yes,
(15:13):
it was a voice. He could hear it quite plainly.
Now there were angry shouts coming from somewhere below the ledge.
Carefully avoiding the sight of the pyre, David crawled to
the edge and glanced over. Far down on the slope
at the foot of the scarp was a tiny figure
dancing and bellowing with rage. The scientist had returned and
(15:34):
discovered the ruins of his blind David watched him dully.
No need to worry about him any more, how harmless
he looked now even ridiculous. David turned away. He noticed
then that he was holding something in his hand, something
soft and heavy. As he lifted it to look more closely,
it flashed in the sunlight. It was the feather the
(15:55):
phoenix had given him, the tail feather, tail feather, but
the phoenix's tail had been a sapphire blue. The feather
in his hand was of the purest, palest gold. There
was a slight stir behind him. In spite of himself,
he glanced at the remains of the pyre, his mouth
dropped open. In the middle of the white ashes and
(16:16):
glowing coals, there was movement. Something within was struggling up
toward the top. The noises grew stronger and more definite.
Charred sticks were being snapped, ashes kicked aside, Embers pushed
out of the way. Now like a plant thrusting its
way out of the soil. There appeared something pale and glittering,
which knotted in the breeze. Little tongues of flame, it seemed,
(16:40):
licking out into the air. No, not flames, a crust
of golden feathers. A heave from below lifted the ashes
in the center of the pile. A fine cloud of
flakes swirled up into the breeze. There was a flash
of sunlight glinting on brilliant plumage, and from the ruins
of the pyre stepped forth a magnific bird. It was
(17:02):
the phoenix. It must be the phoenix, but it was
a new and different phoenix. It was young and wild,
with a fierce amber eye. Its crest was tall and proud,
its body the slim, muscular body of a hunter, Its
wings narrow and long and pointed like a falcon's. The
great beak and talons razor sharp and curving, and all
(17:23):
of it, from crest to talons was a burnished gold
that reflected the sun in a thousand dazzling lights. The
bird stretched its wings, shook the ash from its tail,
and began to preen itself. Every movement was like a
flash of a silent explosion. Phoenix, David whispered, Phoenix. The
bird started, turned toward him, looked at him for an
(17:46):
instant with wild, fearless eyes, then continued its preening. Suddenly
it stopped and cocked its head, as if listening to something.
Then David heard it too, a shout down the mountain side,
louder and clearer, Now sighted and jubilant. He shivered and
looked down. The scientist was tearing up the goat trail
as fast as his long legs would carry him, and
(18:08):
he was waving a rifle. Phoenix, David cried, Fly, Fly, Phoenix.
The bird looked at the scientist, then at David. Its
glance curious but without understanding. Paralyzed with fear, David remained
on his knees as the scientist reached an open place
and threw the gun up to his shoulder. The bullet
went whining by with an ugly hornet noise, and the
(18:31):
report of the gun echoed along the scarp.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
Fly Phoenix.
Speaker 1 (18:35):
David sobbed a second bullet, snarled at the bird, and
spattered out little chips of rock from the inner wall
of the ledge. Oh, fly Fly. David jumped up and
flung himself between the bird and the scientist. It's me,
he cried, It's David. The bird gazed at him closely,
and a light flickered in its eye, as though the
(18:55):
name had reached out and almost but not quite touched
an ancient memory. Hesitantly, it stretched forth one wing and
with the tip of it lightly brushed David's forehead, leaving
there a mark that burned coolly. Get away from that bird,
you little idiot, the scientist shrieked, Get away. David ignored him.
Fly Phoenix, he cried, and he pushed the bird toward
(19:18):
the edge. Understanding dawned in the amber eyes. At last,
the bird, with one clear, defiant cry leaped to an
out jutting boulder. The golden wings spread, the golden neck
curved back, the golden talons pushed against the rock. The
bird launched itself into the air and soared out over
the valley, sparkling, flashing, shimmering, a flame large as a sunburst,
(19:42):
a meteor, a diamond, a star, diminishing at last to
a speck of gold dust, which glimmered twice in the
distance before it was gone altogether. End of Chapter ten,
end of David in the Phoenix by Edward Ormandroyd keep
Chapter ten of David in the Phoenix. This is a
LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain.
For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org.
Recording by Greg Weeks. David in the Phoenix by Edward
ormand Dryde Chapter ten, in which a five hundredth birthday
(00:22):
is celebrated and the phoenix bows to tradition. That's funny,
said David, rubbing his eyes and looking around in a
puzzled way. Where are we phoenix? Home? Is the sailor
home from the hill, the phoenix said, and the hunter
home from the sea? Or is it the other way around?
At any rate, we are home, my boy, And so
(00:42):
they were. Weren't we playing with a fawn? Just now?
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Quite so?
Speaker 1 (00:47):
But there was something else, David said.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Something.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
Didn't somebody say follow before it is too late or
something like that? Did we follow? I can't remember.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
No, my boy.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
By the time one hears that, it is already too late.
Oh too late for what, he wondered. Oh well, he
sighed and fell to day dreaming. A cough from the
phoenix brought him back. Beg your pardon. I have never
seen you so thoughtful, my boy. However, I believe I
know what you are thinking about. It is a difficult problem,
is it not. Yes, I was just thinking what you
(01:21):
could get me for a birthday present, interrupted the phoenix.
Am I not correct? David, who had not given this
a thought until now?
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Flushed?
Speaker 1 (01:30):
Aha, said the phoenix triumphantly, Just as I thought. Believe me,
my dear fellow, when you have been around as long
as I have, you can read the minds of your
friends as easily as a book. Now. The problem of
what to give is a hard one at any time,
but the problem of what to give for a five
hundredth birthday is even harder. A monogrammed ashtray. I do
(01:53):
not receive cigars often enough to make that practical. A
hand knitted sweater it would not fit, ever, do a
gold plated watch chain.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
I have no watch.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
No, the best idea would be to get me something
which I can use, certainly, phoenix, David stammered, what do
you want then, Ah, we have reached the kernel of
the problem, and the answer, my boy, is this cinnamon,
cinnamon precisely. Also a box of matches, the kind that
strike anywhere you know. Well, all right, it doesn't sound
(02:27):
like much of a present. But if that's what you
really want, what are you going to do with them?
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Phoenix?
Speaker 1 (02:32):
I mean, if you don't mind my asking. The plain
fact is, my boy, said the phoenix, doubtfully. The plain
fact is, well, I do not know odd, but something
tells me I shall need them. Well, it will come
to me in the morning, no doubt, and then, of
course I shall be very glad to have them on hand,
all right, Cinnamon and matches then, and I'll get some.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
No, I won't tell you that.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
It'll be a surprise, A surprise splendid, my boy. You
could not, I suppose, drop me a small hint. No,
but of course not one hint, and my powerful intellect
could guess everything, and then the surprise would be spoiled
well until tomorrow. Then that evening, David shut himself in
his room and robbed his bank. It was a squat
(03:19):
cast iron box with a penny saved as a penny
earned in raised letters on one side. The only way
to open it was to smash it with a crowbar,
but it could be emptied. It had to be tilted
just so with a knife blade in the slot to
catch the coins and guide them out. This is what
David did with a bread knife borrowed from the kitchen.
(03:41):
It was a slow, uncertain job and one coin. He
guessed it was a dime by the way it rattled.
Never did come out, but the rest, which included his
change from Uncle Charles present, would be enough. Early next
morning he went to the store and bought three large
boxes of stick cinnamon, two cans of powder cinnamon, and
a huge box of matches. For the surprise, he got
(04:04):
a whole court of strawberry ice cream with a piece
of dry ice to keep it from melting. He wanted
to buy a cake too, and candles, but there was
not enough money left. Then he remembered that a new
batch of cookies had been baked at home yesterday, which
would have to do instead. He wrapped the cinnamon and
matches up in a neat package with white paper, tied
(04:25):
it in a blue ribbon and wrote on it two Phoenix,
Happy five hundred birthday from David. Then he took all
the cookies from a jar, borrowed two plates and spoons,
put everything into a large paper bag and set out
for the Phoenix's ledge. He was surprised to find the
phoenix working busily in the middle of a wide place
(04:45):
on the ledge. Apparently the bird had been at it
all night, for a huge pile of sticks and brush
had been heaped up on the ground and shaped roughly
like a nest. Right now, the phoenix was struggling with
a small log, trying to get it on the pile.
Hello Phoenix, happy birthday. Ah there, my boy, thank you
very much. Could you kindly give me a hand with
(05:06):
his log? They heaved and grunted the piece of wood
to the top of the pile, and David said, what's
this for, phoenix? This, my boy, is a pyre, a
bit untidy around the edges, but none the less a pyre, Oh,
said David. What's that? Well, a pyre? You know, a
sort of fire as it were, Oh, fire, I thought
(05:27):
you said, Oh yes, fire. Isn't it awfully warm for
a fire? The weather is unusually tropical, said the phoenix,
cocking one eye towards the sun. This fire, however, is necessary,
but I shall explain later. Meanwhile, if you will just
aid me with this branch. And for the next fifteen
minutes they worked over the heap, adding to it and
(05:49):
shaping it up. David kept his thoughts to himself. He
could see that the phoenix knew what it was doing,
So everything must be all right. By the way, my boy,
said the phoenix casually, when they had finished, My prediction
was correct. I knew it would be. The inevitable has occurred.
What are you talking about, Phoenix, the scientist, My boy,
he is in our midst. Once more, David clutched a
(06:12):
branch in the heap and said, oh, Phoenix, in a
frightened voice. Now, my dear fellow, there is no cause
for alarm. He is not nearby at present. I sent
him back, Send him back. How nothing to it, my boy,
said the phoenix smugly. He was up at the crack
of dawn, toiling with typical stupidity in full sight on
the slope below. He was making a blind of green
(06:34):
branches to hide in while he spies on me. Really,
the childishness of his efforts to think for a minute
he could fool me with such tricks. Well, I waited
until he had gone down the slope to cut more greenery,
and when his back was turned, I slipped down to
the blind and took his binoculars. But Phoenix, what did
you want with his binoculars. I did not want his binoculars,
(06:57):
my boy, but he did. His language when he he
discovered the loss was simply frightful. I could hear it
all the way up here. Of course, he had to
return to town for another pair. But he'll be back precisely,
my boy. But he will have something to keep him
busy when he returns. I took the liberty of destroying
his blind. That will hold him, But it won't hold
(07:20):
him long.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
Phoenix, We've got to think of something else.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
Now, your whole birthday is spoiled. On the contrary, my boy,
it will hold him long enough. Now please do not
ask me why. You must take my word for it,
and I shall explain later. And my birthday is not spoiled.
I am looking forward with a great deal of pleasure
to the surprise which you promised me. Come, let us
enjoy it whatever it is, and forget the scientist. Well
(07:46):
are you sure about the scientist?
Speaker 2 (07:48):
Absolutely?
Speaker 1 (07:50):
The phoenix was so positive that David began to feel better.
He picked up the paper bag and said, well, it
isn't much of a surprise really, just a birthday party
and your present. But I think the present should come
after the party. Don't you quite so, my boy. But
I shall leave the management of the whole affair in
your capable hands, all right, said David. Now you'll have
(08:11):
to turn around, Phoenix and not look while I'm getting
it ready. Phoenix obediently turned around, clasping its wings behind
its back and tried hard not to peek. David set
the party things out on the grass, ice cream in
the middle, the cookies in a ring around it, plates
on either side, and spoons beside the plates. He set
the Phoenix's present off to one side where it could
(08:33):
be reached when they had finished. All right, Phoenix, you
can turn around now. The Phoenix took a long look
at everything and said, huskily, my dear Chap, this is
quite the nicest moment of my life. How can I
possibly thank you? They sat down in their places. David
passed the cookies and served the ice cream, and said
(08:53):
that as far as he was concerned, this was the
best birthday party he had ever been to, And the
Phoenix said.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
So, my boy.
Speaker 1 (09:01):
But might I make so bold as to ask why?
And David answered, well, the reason is that usually during
birthday parties you have to play stupid games like pin
the tail on the donkey and button button who has
the button? In spite of the fact that eating good
things is the real reason for having a party, as
everybody knows, And the Phoenix said, precisely, my boy, But
(09:23):
people have somehow lost the main idea of the thing.
When you come right down to it, ice cream is
the basis of any sensible party, and everything else is
a waste of time. And David said, yes, Phoenix, but
don't forget cake and cookies and candy and nuts and things.
They're not as good as ice cream, but they're not
a complete waste of time either, And the Phoenix said,
(09:46):
of course not, my dear fellow. They are important too.
And speaking of ice cream, have you noticed that while
chocolate is very good and vanilla enjoys great popularity, still
there is nothing like strawberry. And David said, yes, you're right,
rather sadly, because the phoenix was eating most of it.
At last, the ice cream carton was empty and all
(10:08):
the cookies were gone. They both sighed regretfully and brushed
away the crumbs, and the phoenix looked hopefully at the
present David had brought. Happy birthday, Phoenix, David said, and
he handed the gift over with a little bow. Thank you,
my boy, thank you. The phoenix opened the package eagerly
and gave a pleased cry. Just what I.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
Wanted, my dear chap. I'm glad you like it, David said,
Do you know yet.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
What it's for? Can you really use it for something?
The phoenix suddenly stopped smiling and looked at David with
a strange expression on its face, an expression David had
never seen there before. A vague dread swept through him,
and he faltered, Phoenix, you do know what it's for?
Speaker 2 (10:49):
What is it? Tell me?
Speaker 1 (10:51):
Well, my boy, Well, the fact is yes, I do know.
It came to me this morning while I was constructing
the ah nest here. I'm afraid it will be a
bit hard to explain. The cinnamon ah, the cinnamon, well,
cinnamon branches are what I should really have. But Phoenix,
what's it for? Behold, my boy? The phoenix opened the
(11:13):
boxes and spread the cinnamon sticks on the nest. Then
it took the cans and sprinkled the cinnamon powder over
the top and sides of the heap, until a whole
nest was brick dust red. There we are, my boy,
said the phoenix, sadly, the traditional cinnamon pyre of the phoenix,
celebrated in song and story. And with the third mention
(11:35):
of the word pyre, David's legs went weak and something
seemed to catch in his throat. He remembered now where
he had heard.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
That word before.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
It was in his Book of Explorers, and it meant
it meant phoenix, he choked, Who is the pyre for?
For myself?
Speaker 2 (11:52):
Said the phoenix. Phoenix.
Speaker 1 (11:55):
Now I implore you, please, Oh dear, I knew it
would be difficult to explain.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
Look at me, my boy.
Speaker 1 (12:02):
David did as he was told, although his eyes were
filled with tears and he could not see through the blur. Now,
said the phoenix gently. The fact is that I have,
besides my unusually acute intellect and instinct, This instinct told
me that it was my birthday to day. It also
told me to build this nest of cinnamon. Now it
(12:22):
tells me that I must make this nest my pyre,
because that is what the phoenix does at the end
of five hundred years. Now, please, my boy, I admit
it does not appear to be a very joyful way
of celebrating, but it must be done. This is the
traditional end of the phoenix, my boy, and we cannot
ignore the tradition, no matter what our feelings may be.
(12:43):
Do you see no, David cried, Please, phoenix, don't do it.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
It's horrible.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
I won't let you do it, but I must, my
dear Chap, I cannot help it. This is what it
means to be the phoenix. Nothing can stop the tradition. Please,
my boy, do not take on so it is not
in the least horrible, I assure you.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
My instinct tells me.
Speaker 1 (13:04):
So. You said you were going to give me an education,
David sobbed. You said we would see you said, and
we've only been on four adventures. You never told me
about this. I am terribly sorry, my boy. I could
not tell you about it because I did not know
about it until now. As for your education, it is
a pity to have it cut short in this way.
(13:26):
I had great plans. But consider you have had four adventures,
which no one else in the world has had. And besides,
my boy, we shall see each other again. I do
not know how or where, but I am positive of it.
The phoenix flicked a tear from its eye with the
tip of one wing while with the other. It patted
David awkwardly on the shoulder. Don't go, Phoenix, please don't go.
(13:50):
I must my boy here. Permit me to present you
with a small token out of our friendship. Dimly through
his tears, David saw the phoenix pluck the longest blue
test feather from its tail, and he felt it being
pressed into his hand.
Speaker 2 (14:06):
Good Bye, David, said the phoenix, gruffly.
Speaker 1 (14:09):
David could stand it no longer. He turned and rushed
blindly from the phoenix, blundered into the thicket and dropped
to the ground with his head buried in his arms.
Behind him, he heard the sticks snapping as the phoenix
mounted its pire. A match rasped against the box. The
first tongue of flames sizzled in the branches. David pressed
(14:30):
his hands over his ears to shut out the sound,
but he could feel the heat of the flames as
they sprang up, and the noise would not be shut out.
It grew and grew, popping, crackling, roaring, until it seemed
to fill the world. Perhaps he fainted, or perhaps from numbness,
he slipped into a kind of deep sleep. Whichever it was,
(14:51):
he returned to consciousness again Suddenly his hands had slipped
from his ears, and a sound had brought him back.
He lifted his head and listened. The fire had burnt
itself out. Now the only noise was the hiss and
pop of dying embers. But these sounds were too gentle
to have awakened him. It must have been something else. Yes,
(15:13):
it was a voice. He could hear it quite plainly.
Now there were angry shouts coming from somewhere below the ledge.
Carefully avoiding the sight of the pyre, David crawled to
the edge and glanced over. Far down on the slope
at the foot of the scarp was a tiny figure
dancing and bellowing with rage. The scientist had returned and
(15:34):
discovered the ruins of his blind David watched him dully.
No need to worry about him any more, how harmless
he looked now even ridiculous. David turned away. He noticed
then that he was holding something in his hand, something
soft and heavy. As he lifted it to look more closely,
it flashed in the sunlight. It was the feather the
(15:55):
phoenix had given him, the tail feather, tail feather, but
the phoenix's tail had been a sapphire blue. The feather
in his hand was of the purest, palest gold. There
was a slight stir behind him. In spite of himself,
he glanced at the remains of the pyre, his mouth
dropped open. In the middle of the white ashes and
(16:16):
glowing coals, there was movement. Something within was struggling up
toward the top. The noises grew stronger and more definite.
Charred sticks were being snapped, ashes kicked aside, Embers pushed
out of the way. Now like a plant thrusting its
way out of the soil. There appeared something pale and glittering,
which knotted in the breeze. Little tongues of flame, it seemed,
(16:40):
licking out into the air. No, not flames, a crust
of golden feathers. A heave from below lifted the ashes
in the center of the pile. A fine cloud of
flakes swirled up into the breeze. There was a flash
of sunlight glinting on brilliant plumage, and from the ruins
of the pyre stepped forth a magnific bird. It was
(17:02):
the phoenix. It must be the phoenix, but it was
a new and different phoenix. It was young and wild,
with a fierce amber eye. Its crest was tall and proud,
its body the slim, muscular body of a hunter, Its
wings narrow and long and pointed like a falcon's. The
great beak and talons razor sharp and curving, and all
(17:23):
of it, from crest to talons was a burnished gold
that reflected the sun in a thousand dazzling lights. The
bird stretched its wings, shook the ash from its tail,
and began to preen itself. Every movement was like a
flash of a silent explosion. Phoenix, David whispered, Phoenix. The
bird started, turned toward him, looked at him for an
(17:46):
instant with wild, fearless eyes, then continued its preening. Suddenly
it stopped and cocked its head, as if listening to something.
Then David heard it too, a shout down the mountain side,
louder and clearer, Now sighted and jubilant. He shivered and
looked down. The scientist was tearing up the goat trail
as fast as his long legs would carry him, and
(18:08):
he was waving a rifle. Phoenix, David cried, Fly, Fly, Phoenix.
The bird looked at the scientist, then at David. Its
glance curious but without understanding. Paralyzed with fear, David remained
on his knees as the scientist reached an open place
and threw the gun up to his shoulder. The bullet
went whining by with an ugly hornet noise, and the
(18:31):
report of the gun echoed along the scarp.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
Fly Phoenix.
Speaker 1 (18:35):
David sobbed a second bullet, snarled at the bird, and
spattered out little chips of rock from the inner wall
of the ledge. Oh, fly Fly. David jumped up and
flung himself between the bird and the scientist. It's me,
he cried, It's David. The bird gazed at him closely,
and a light flickered in its eye, as though the
(18:55):
name had reached out and almost but not quite touched
an ancient memory. Hesitantly, it stretched forth one wing and
with the tip of it lightly brushed David's forehead, leaving
there a mark that burned coolly. Get away from that bird,
you little idiot, the scientist shrieked, Get away. David ignored him.
Fly Phoenix, he cried, and he pushed the bird toward
(19:18):
the edge. Understanding dawned in the amber eyes. At last,
the bird, with one clear, defiant cry leaped to an
out jutting boulder. The golden wings spread, the golden neck
curved back, the golden talons pushed against the rock. The
bird launched itself into the air and soared out over
the valley, sparkling, flashing, shimmering, a flame large as a sunburst,
(19:42):
a meteor, a diamond, a star, diminishing at last to
a speck of gold dust, which glimmered twice in the
distance before it was gone altogether. End of Chapter ten,
end of David in the Phoenix by Edward Ormandroyd keep
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