Short Stories
river after a big yellow moth, and had been so attracted by her
slender waist that he had stopped to talk to her.
“Shall I love you?” said the Swallow, who liked to come to
the point at once, and the Reed made him a low bow. So he flew
round and round her, touching the water with his wings, and
making silver ripples. This was his courtship, and it lasted all
through the summer.
“It is a ridiculous attachment,” twittered the other Swallows;
“she has no money, and far too many relations”; and indeed the
river was quite full of Reeds. Then, when the autumn came they
all flew away.
After they had gone he felt lonely, and began to tire of his la-
dy-love. “She has no conversation,” he said, “and I am afraid
that she is a coquette, for she is always flirting with the wind.”
And certainly, whenever the wind blew, the Reed made the most
graceful curtseys. “I admit that she is domestic,” he continued,
“but I love travelling, and my wife, consequently, should love
travelling also.”
“Will you come away with me?” he said finally to her; but
the Reed shook her head, she was so attached to her home.
“You have been trifling with me,” he cried. “I am off to the
Pyramids. Good-bye!” and he flew away.
All day long he flew, and at night-time he arrived at the city.
“Where shall I put up?” he said; “I hope the town has made
preparations.”
Then he saw the statue on the tall column.
“I will put up there,” he cried; “it is a fine position, with
plenty of fresh air.” So he alighted just between the feet of the
Happy Prince.
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